The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-26

evident that he was an Irishrnan and it was certain that 1t was not for the names O'Rourke and Belsey speak their nationalities plainly. And want to say to all who are present here, though my people are English, I strongly hope that Ireland will come to her own, be given the place she is deserving of. But he is not an Irish man, nor an Irish-American = there never were any, but Father O'Rourke Is an American as we all are Ameri- cans first, last and all the time. And there Is no man 1n Boone county
 who is more loyal, more American than isFthe man in whose honor we are gathered here tonight.
 Father Flanagan has said that he was glad of the opportunity to speak to help embarrass Father O'Rourke I tonight. I must admit that am sor- ry that I was asked to speak, not that l do not consider 1t an honor and a privilege but because the occasion means that Father O'Rourke is going away.
 "Of one thing, however, I am glad. Father O'Rourke is going to be his own boss" not that Father Joyce was not a good "boss' but because our friend is being given the chance to be his own "boss" and is giving Father do without him.
 "On behalf of the people of the community I want to give you a small piece of paper. Paper is cheap, though not as cheap now as it used to be. This little slip of paper, how
 ever, calls for a sum, of money that is the gift of all your friends to you and the amount noted on. it is $855.00. I have no doubt that now, after hear
 ing of this, other preachers and priests will be planning to leave Belvidere. T would like to add, in this con-
 nection, that I am sorry for one thing. Not long ago a committee left at my
 home a splendid gift, an automobile, and Mrs Belsey could say to the neighbors, Come over and see our new
 car.' I am sorry that there can be
 no one who will say William. we have been given a fine gift But in conclu- sion want to say that we will all fol-
 low you wherever you are with inter- est, love and esteem.'
 Father O'Rourke in his reply ex-
 pressed his heartfelt thanks to all who
 had been so kind to him. Tt is hard,' he said, "to sit here and listen to the words of praise that were said~of me. I feel words are inadequate on an oc- casion such as this which is a high honor to me though I feel that I have
 only done my duty. Long ago I set
 as my ideal the bishop of this diocese and hope, though I may not hold as
 high an office, may be as true dis | cipIe of Christ. I have had the good | fortune to serve under Father Joyce and it is hard to leave him and all my good friends in Belvidere,- I can
 only say that I will do my best wher-
 ever I am. Since brevity is. the soul
 of wit, I will try to show my wit by being as brief as possible and only say that I want to thank all who have ever smiled upon me. Belvidere has | been good to me and I will always
 hold my friends of this community
 most dearly in my heart" At the conclusion of the program
 which was pleasingly received but | throughout which a feeling of sadness prevailed, hundreds thronged about
 Father O'Rourke to wish him good luck and say goodbye. He will re-
 main in Belvidere until Tuesday be- fore returning to his new home in