Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-10-13
COLUMBUS DAY
CELEBRATION
Inspiring Program Given Last
Night at st. Mary'S LyCeum
stanton is Speaker
FIERY CROSS SCORED
Mr.. Stanton Says Columbus
Planted Cross of Hope and
Charity on his Discovery
FIERY CROSS SCORED

One of the most pleasing programs
ever presented at an affair OF It's
kind was given last night at the Co
lumbus Day celebration held in the
new st. Mary's Lyceum, on Fayette
and Mechanic street, at which time
Thomas f. Stanton, of Jersey City
was the principal speaker.
Mr. Stanton, who is an eX-aviator.
in his opening remarks commended
Rt. Rev Mgr. William p. Cantwell,
for the wonderful high school, saying
that it was a monument to the ad-
vancement of education, art and
science. He said that it was his
faith and confidence in the ability of
his people that the edifice stands to-
day. Just as it was the faith and
confidence of Columbus in his ideas
that new land--Ameriea-w dis
covered and opened to the world.
The ex-aviator dwelt upon the diff
ficulties encountered by Columbus in
the court of Spain, but told of the
discoverer finding willing listeners in
the Dominican fathers, who give up
their lives to study and teaching
Through them he secured audiences
with the wealthy people of that
country and finally the King and
Queen of Spain, the speaker added
Columbus unending faith and con-
fidence In the midst of adversely
urged him on and on until finally he
reached his goal, continued Mr.. Stan
ton. The same qualities inspired our
boys in the Flanders field, where
they in the midst of difficulties, SEEM
ingly unindurable our boys conquer
ed said the Jersey City man.
Commenting along the same lines,
Mr.. Stanton added that when Colum-
bus landed on America the cross he
planted was not a fiery one of hate.
1t was the cross that typified faith,
and the same cross that marks the
graves of the thousands of real
Americans who lie "oveT there" said
Mr.. Stanton. No great work was
ever accomplished under mask but
all works are done in the light of
Gods sunshine. he pointed out.
Following his talk the orator was
warmly applauded by the large audi
ence that packed the high school,
and Rt. Rev. Mgr. William p. Cant
well commended him highly. "A
real American, Mr. Stanton is" he
said. "A man who in time of war
enlisted in the most dangerous de-
partment of the service-aviation,"
he added. In speaking of Mr.. Stan
tons address Mgr. Cantwell said
that Columb bus would not be admit
ted under the banner of the fiery
cross of today.
A feature of last nights enter
tainment besides the solos of Mrs
Thomas Christopher. who received
an unlimited thunder of applause,
was the presentation of an American
flag from the San Salvador Council
299, knights of Columbus. to the
new st. Mary's Lyceum.
In presenting the colors, Joseph
f. Deegan said that the power of the
banner brought to this continent a
new nation in the Revolutionary
War presented it a new nation in the
Civil War, and brought peace to the
world in the World War
Mr.. Deegan added that the power
of the American flag was greater
than in war, for in one generation
its lesson brought the peace to the
people who came to these shores
what Europe through the dark ages,
middle ages and modern times, so
far, has been unable to accomplish
May its lesson be brave, be virtuous,
of today and tomorrow as they gaze
! upon 1t and salute it daily" he add
| ed.
The Board of Aldermen was pres
ent last night, and the chairman of
the affair, Harry McDermott, eX-
pressed with regret that Mayor
William c. Wilson was unable to at
tend. The spacious auditorium was
, packed to capacity and the program
was we'll enjoyed, while the commit
tee was commended highly by the
entire audience for the smooth-run-
ming order of the entire affair. St.
Mary's choir and st. Mary's orches-
ira selections were given much ap-
plause and several encores were nee
essary. The committee in charge
were: Harry McDermott, chairman,
John V. Burke, John Powers, Joseph
r. Deegan, William J. Nolan, John
Calvin, John Burns and Octavio
Galassi.