The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-18

St. Patrick on the Hill of Tara. cen turies ago, converted Irishmen to the Christian faith. So grateful have Irishmen since been that on every 17th of March through all those long, long years, Irishnen, in whatever portion of the world, have celebrated the name of the good Saint, have kept his mem ory green as the four 1eafed clover, enriching it with eulogy as golden as the harp upon the flag of Erin.
 Not less, but more, in Bridgeport, thl.u m other p-aces to which the Isle of Patrick has sent her sons to reap 1aurels in virgin fields, is the anniver- sary of the Saint celebrated. So it is not strange that 250 of the leading Irishmen of this city assembled about hotel, last night, with their guests, to renew those centuries old associations by the recollection that these same thoughts were those also of an un- broken and unnumbered ancestry, stretching backward, backward, and yet backward to that same hill of Tara, to those sturdy, pagans, think CTS of Europe, in whom Patrick found fertile soil for the implantation of his wonderful truths.
 Irishmen have ever loved oratory. Patrick was himself an orator of pow CT, and doubtless Ireland's long line of gifted orators. there and here, may be included part of the debt due him. At any rate celebration of March IT would be complete anywhere without the flow of wit and reason in oratory and last night was no ex- ception to the rule.
 Toasts most appropriate to the day were responded to by men who brought to their subjects deep thought, and eloquent expression. The entire range Of Irish history was covered. with serious, light or fanciful touch, to the profit of all concerned.
 The guest table at the head of the great dining hall seated men well known in Bridgeport, Sor throughout
 Fred C. Mullins, president of the Knights of St. Patrick. givers of the feast, sat at the left of the toastmaster City Attorney Thomas M. Cullinan, and then, at right Or left Hon. Edward T. Buckingham ycr of Bridgeport, Rev. F'r. Kennedy, of St. Augustine's, Bryan Mahan, mayor of New London. schools of 'Ansonia, Former Secretary of State John J. Phelan, Rev. F'r. Fftz- gerald, of the church of the Sacred Heart, Rev. Fr. T. J. Kelly, rector of the St. Peters and P. F. Cahill, of Lawrence. Mass.
 It was generally conceded that, de- spite the handicap created by long line of successful preceding banquets the committee scored the last and greatest triumph, in point of numbers seated, not less than by the high and the valuable lessons -enforced thereby.
 Frederick c. Mullins, president of the society. introduced. as toastmaster, Thomas M. Cullinan, city attorney, who. after speaking briefly in behalf of the Knights of St. Patrick and the committee rendered a welcome to all present and sincere thanks for the large attendance.
 Mr Cullinan said that in the near future a permanent organization of the Knights will be affected. He ex- pressed the hope that the same en- thusiasm may be brought to this ob- ject, that had been given to the an- nual banquet and it's attendant cele- bration.
 Mir. CulIinan's Remarks.
 City Attorney Thomas M. Cul1i- non said: "I appreciate very much the compliment which has been pad to me in asking me to preside here as