Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-17
sure AN IT'S HERE:
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Also There Is Much on Tap,
Including Friendly
Sons Banquet
SENATOR LEWIS TO SPEAK

II had to come some time, so II is just
as we'll It falls on Saturday. But it did not
come any too soon for them as was watt
ing" to celebrate, and II is an oasis in
the desert of Lent, is this St Patrick's
Day.
Nobody knows Just how many years ago
1t was that the Saint routed the snakes from
Ireland; but, even though IL was long,
long before the days of modern chroniclers,
II wasn't so far back that folks even now
are not ready to vow that their forefathers
really did see elves and fairies, and all
that.
Perhaps they did in fact. 1t is more
than likely. even IL some folks say now
that elves and the like never existed, But,
still. today's the day. There is enough
In the air and in the spirit of the day
without barking back to the ante-bathtub
days. and there is enough tonight in the
banquet of the Friendly Sons of st. Patrick
alone almost to compensate for the lack of
gnomes.
Because?
We'll. Jim Ham" Lewis. he Of the pink
whiskers, is going to be there. And Jim
Ham," Democratic whip is going to speak
seriously about our diplomatic relations
LEWIS TO SPEAK
It will be the 147th annual banquet of
the society, and Senator Lewis will leave
sickbed to attend the affair. He has been
suffering from ear trouble and really didn't
want to come until the real oratory of
| Michael J. Ryan, Michael Donohoe and
| Thomas Dooner called on him and asked
| him to talk
Mayor Smith isn't Irish. hut there are
| lots of voters who are. and 20 Tom will
be right on the job with neat little ad-
| dress. The Rev. Father Jonn ]. O'Rourke,
S. j., of New York, will talk. and Mr.. Ryan,
| being president of the Friendly Sons will
| be the POSTMASTER, and good one. too.
Something comes up every year in regard
| to this society, and 1917 is no exception.
| Researches by New Jersey historians have
| brought to light -.
But did you never hear the story of how
| George Washington adopted by the
| Friendly Sons? 1t is good. just like every
| thing else connected with 1t. Just l3'
| years ago today Washington, then COM
| mander chief of the Continental army.
| issued orders that made the day national
| holiday.
ORDER FOR DAY
| These were the orders:
|. HEADQUARTERS MORRISTOWN,
| March 16, 17SO-The General congratu-
lates the army on the very interesting
proceedings of the Parliament of Ire
| land and on the inhabitants of that
| country which have been lately COM
municated not only as they appear call
| culated to remove those heavy and
tyrannical expressions on their trade,
but TO restore to a brave and generous
| people lnelT dtlCltHl IIBiNS anu NV
dom and by their operation to pro-
mote the cause of America. Desirous
of impressing on the mind of the army,
transactions so important in their
| nature, the General directs that all
fatigue and working parties cease for
tomorrow the seventeenth. a day held in
particular regard by the people of that
nation At the same time he orders
this he persuades himself that the cele-
bration of the day will not be attended
with the least rioting or disorder
The officers to be at their quarters
IN camp and the troops of each State
line and to keep within their own en-
campment.
WASHINGTON ADOPTED
lust a wear and a half later the Friendl.
Sons of st. Patrick legally adopted Wash
ington as a member This step was neces
| sary as he was not Irish and only thos
with Irish blood in their veins are eligible
to membership. The adoption was takel
through the courts and the patriot was
member up to the time OF his death.
Outside of the Friendly Sons banque
there Is not a great deal on tap. Nothing
only about 100000 or more celebrating
There Is as much chance of getting
table in any of the first-class cafes tonigh
, as there is of Tom Sharkey spending
dollar But then he is from Belfast o
Londonderry or one of those places, any
= how
But, getting back 20 the old standby
didn't that green shamrock look good
, Didn't 1t, really?
At ST. Patricks Church, Twentieth an
Locust streets. solemn high pontifical mas
was celebrated this morning by Bishop Nc
: Cort He was assisted by the Rev. Bernar
Carey. who recently returned from tn
trenches.
Tonight the Rho Delta Kappa fraternit
will give a dance in the Arcadia Cafe. Dec
orations emblematic of Erin will be muc
in evidence.