The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-18
for the Irish Democrats of Connecticut

for the Irish Democrats of Connecticut would not now be governor.
 l MT. King declared that this spoke
 well for the generosity of the Irish electorate and their willingness to re-
 sent the persecution of any citizen, 1 whether of their party or not.
 MT. Cu1linan then proposed a silent 1 toast to the memory of Governor Lii- icy, which was drunk by the entire
 The toastmaster, in hitting langua ge. then introduced the mayor of Bridge
 port, Edward T. Buckingham!s whom 1 he described as "one of the most sue cessful politicians of the younger group in Connecticut, using the word politician, of course, in it's broader sense.
 but. strong and effective response to the toast, "Our City," declaring it to be the duty of every man to first give his time to. the advancement of civic asfairs His declarations of duty were
 greeted with ringing applause, and he
 resumed his Seat in 3. tornado of hand A this point the committee had ar ranged a surprise, as unexpected by the guests as it was enjoyed by them Notables of the American vaudeville stage, Aubrey Pringle- and George Whiting, sang some of their best songs Whiting. in that unequalled style; rendered 'sTop of the Morning." and 'ater in the evening several other se- lections, the best of which were of his own authorship. MT. Pringle sang Some Day When Dreams Come True in the ma gpificent bass which has made him friends in most of the cities of the United States, and. later, sev- eraI other selections, popular and clas- sic. Enthusiastic appreciation greeted the efforts of these talented perform CTS.
 Former Secretary of State John J. Phe1an, was introduced as 'a man whose voice has not been heard enough n public of late.'' Thoughts of Civic
 Duty" was the. subject to which he
 spoke delivering an eloquent and waned during the years that have alapsed since his was familiar figure n the public forums of his state.
 Francis M. Buckley, a Bridgeport Toy. who has attained to the dignity of superintendent of the public schools accomplished scholar and speaker. a1ked upon that great Irishnan Dan ieI O'Connen,''s bringing to subject hat has been worn almost threa dbare y many eloquent tongues, both new ight. and new knowledge. performing hereby a task that would seem well nigh impossible.
 His speech arose to tie dignity of n or- ion, which was characte1'ized by research, masterly analysis. and | profound and sympathetic understand | =ng of the sources of O'Conne1l's great l ness, together with a vivid appreci- 1tion of the reality of the gifts that | Rev. Fr. Fitzgerald. assistant pastor l of Sacred Heart parish, filling on the jst of toasts the place of Hon. John [. Walsh, of Norwalk. spoke extempor- | eneously upon f'The Day We Cele- .rate.'' The speech of Fr. Fitzgerald vas most evidently from the heart. II made a strong impression upon his
 uditors. It was upon Patrick. the
 moral and religious being. that the
 speaker dwelt. calling him, "the most | human history, | whose memory still lives after the apse of many centuries" He express d the certain belief that Patrick was 1 true to his fellow men because he | was true to his faith. and decl red that no man can be true to his fellow men without being also true to God. All of the countries of the civilized | world he said. have received benefit ! from the labors of Patrick.
 Father Fitzgerald described the ar duous preparation which Patrick un- well" he said, .'did Patrick prepare 1 himself, and well did he fulfill the | -,ission upon which God had sent l him.
 i Most interesting was Father F1tz- l eeraId's reference to the scene on the
 Hill of Tara. when Patrick with argu ] ments well made. converted to h. faith the keenest minds of that pagan | people then the best educated. in western Europe and the deepest think CT of their time
 
 l Easter morning" said Father Fitz er aid. "they listened to the words of God | that he brought to them in his mes l sage They accepted the doctrine O 1 Jesus Christ as they heard it fro l his lips. and from that time until tn 1 present day they have maintained 1t | unswerved through all the centuries Father Fitzeera'd in closing. after | telling of the centuries of war that
 was waged in Ireland for religious l freedom. paid a tribute to this Re
 public which he sad, "has taken them | to it's bosom and allowed them to wor-
 ship God as they see fit.'
 T. P. Cahill. a Lawrence newspaper
 man. responding to the toast '"The
 Glory of Erin", said that the Lrfsh people were fortunate in having Pat | riok sent to them. but that Patrick
 was fortunate in having such splendid people to work upon. MT Cahin re- lated n interesting anecdote of Dan | fe1 O'Connell The great lawyer was once challenged to duel by an enemy who was of gigantic stature, while