The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-07-26

Over $4,000 Cheer the Distinguished
Visitor at Mass Meeting at Base
Ball Park-Mayor Thompson and
City Council Extend Freedom Of the
city-Dunne, Walsh and Colonel
Reilly Speak.
Chicago, July 14.-President De
Valera, of the Irish Republic, left Chi
cago today for San Francisco, after
having honors showered upon him
such as were never bestowed upon
anyone from abroad, who has visited
the great metropolis of the middle
west.
The Irish patriot leader and party
reached Chicago at 9:45 a. M, Satur-
day, from New York and was greeted
at the depot by a vast throng waving
American and Irish Republic flags.
To the Congress Hotel from the depot
was one triumphal procession. From
the front of the finest hotel in Chicago
waved the official standard of the
Irish Republic and all along the route
the tri.color and the stars and stripes
were profusely displayed.
The corridor of the Congress Hotel
was almost impossible as the party
and escort entered. No such scene of
enthusiasm was witnessed there in
years. There was a reception at De
Valera's headquarters until p. M,
when banquet was rendered him in
the gold room, which was attended
by $50 persons, among them being the
Mayor and City Council of Chicago,
and well-known leaders of the Irish
race from all surrounding states.
Ex-Governor Dunno and Frank p.
Walsh, of Kansas City, two Of the
American Irish ENJOYS to Paris, were
among the speakers with DeValera and
like him received great ovations, but
the most striking speech, and the brief
est, was made by the Chicago War
Colonel, Henry Reilly, of "Reilly's
Bucks" who made such splendid rec
ord in the war. Col. Reilley, who is
Irish on the paternal side and of New
England Plymouth Rock stock on the
mothers side, had never been identi-
fed in any way with Irish affairs and
his speech was much Of a surprise.
Col. ReilIy's Great Hit.
when was invited to speak here
and to greet President De Valera" he
said, "the man who invited me for
the committee seemed to have some
doubt about how felt on this matter.
want to make my position clear.
see where the Prince of Wales is to
be invited here and greeted by the
heads of our Government. Kings and
princes in. my opinion belong to an
age that is past, decadent period.
When leading Americans are ready to
greet an English princeling with ac-
claim in this country, surely an Ameri-
can soldier of Irish blood, who fought
to make the world safe for democracy
can come here and extend greeting
to the President of the Irish Republic.
The spirit of America is that we
should support republics everywhere
and on behalf Of the men who fought
for freedom of small nations l want
to say to you, President De Valera,
that the soldiers who fought in this
great war are with you and your
brave little country, heart and soul"
Remarkable Ovation.
When President De Valera rose to
speak he was given most wonderful
ovation. Four husky men of the Irish
race took him on their shoulders and
waving the Irish and American flags
over his head carried him around the
hall for fully twenty minutes among
the great throng of banqueters and
spectators.
Saturday afternoon he called on
Archbishop Mundelein at the Arch
bishops house and was given splen-
did greeting from the head of the
Archdiocese Of Chicago. The local
committee headed by John A. McGarry
the chairman, withdrew and left the
Irish President and the Archbishop in
private conference for half hour or
more.
Then there was long automobile
ride with fifteen cars through the
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