The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-08-09

LEADE H.
presented to Eamonn De Valera,
President of the Irish Republic, by
the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors
of the City and County of San Fran
cisco and by the Citizens thereof as
an expression of our esteem of his
services in the cause of Irish Free
dom. y
James Rolf, Jr., Mayor.
Andrew J. Gallagher, Chairman.
Citizens Reception Committee,
July 10, 1872
Such is the inscription on the gold
plaque presented to President De
Valera in the city hall of San Fran
cisco on July IS, by Mayor Rolf.
The mayor said in part: ut has
been my pleasure and privilege for
the last eight years to greet in behalf
Of San Francisco many distinguished
men. Never in all that time has
there been such warm-hearted recep-
ton extended to anybody as that Of
last night which San Francisco gave
to Eamonn De Valera"
Mayor Rolf was referring to the
ovation which had greeted the Presi-
dent of the Irish Republic on the pre-
vious day. The city seemed to pour
itself out to greet De Valera a hun
dred miles away. Thousands of the
aiti1onc of Con ENI-on bo CT RI
Sacramento to meet the train that
carried the distinguished visitor; and
then for the last hundred miles of the
journey station after station hailed
the Irish chieftain with cheers and
songs and waving flags and crowds
that gathered along the route from
every farm and country side. The
overland train became in effect a De
Valera special from Sacramento to
Oakland. The city by the Golden
Gate greeted him with a great wave
of enthusiasm that was more than
magnificent A sea of smiling happy
faces awaited him at the wharf,
packed the streets, parks, filled win
dows and doors wherever he was to
pass Cheer after cheer shook the
city and rolled across the bay like
the thunders of mighty storm. The
welcome of the great metropolis of
the Pacific coast was a fitting climax
to the triumphant journey of Presi-
dent De Valera across the continent.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians
and the Ladies' Auxiliary were in con-
vention in the city and the American
born President of Ireland came to ad
dress both conventions. He spent
several days in the city addressing
many gatherings. His modesty and
simplicity at every turn won the affec-
ton of all classes as his flaming,
fearless patriotism and his burning
eloquence kindled their enthusiasm.
De VaIera's Words.
This splendid reception of San
Francisco surpasseS belief. But L
know it is for the cause which | have
the good fortune to represent. | am
overwhelmed with the kindness shown
me by the mayor of San Francisco,
by your other public officials, by the
men and women and children who
| waited to give me welcome. But it
| is for the cause of free Ireland that
| this is DONE Such demonstrations
from the Atlantic to the Pacific will
create torrent of public opinion that
| will sweep Ireland to victory"
| Archbishop Hanna.
| Archbishop Hanna said: You
have come to listen to one who comes
from afar and who has the distinction
of representing the great Irish people
throughout the earth as no man be-
fore has ever represented them. He
comes unto us of America asking our
aid. Now that the war is over, shall
we turn aside from that idealism that
nerved our soldiers into battle and
victory? If we are true to this ideal
if we stand for the things voiced by
our President we must do all that in
our power lies to aid battling Erin
Oh, let this thought fill our minds
let this thought fill our hearts, and
let us with all the power we have
strive that Erin may indeed be free