Evening star., 1944-03-18
Irish Loyalty Lauded
Al Dinners Markinq
ST. Patrick S Day

The loyalty of the Irish to their
Ideals and the tolerance of the race
were extolled last night as several
hundred members of the Ancient Or
der OF Hibernians and the Friendly
Sons of st. Patrick and their guests
celebrated st. Patrick's Day at din
ners at the Mayfiower.
Though Irish people in America
pray Ireland in this dark hour may
see the way so she will not be cru
Gifted again on the cross of indi-
vidual liberty, as American citizens
they send word around the world of
their allegiance to the United States
50 liberty and justice may be had
for ALL" Senator McCarran of Ne
vada told the Hibernians.
Addressing the Friendly Sons,
Senator O'Mahoney of wyoming
recalled the racial tolerance char
acterizing the Irish leaders who
fought for freedom and added that
II like to remember that men and
women Of Irish blood have brought
the same spirit of freedom and tol-
erance with them to America"
Cites Irish in Armies.
Pointing to the large numbers OF
1rishmen in the English and Ameri-
can Armies despite Ireland's neu-
trahty, Senator McCarren declared
the Irish have zone loyalty, one de-
termination and one patriotism.
Turning then to the history of
the society from the days the mem
bers roamed Ireland as small
bands so they could say the sacred
mass, Senator McCarran said the
Ancient Order of Hibernians had
its foundation in freedom and
individual liberty. THE society's
qualities of friendship, unity and
Christian charity are the finest
sentiments of mankind and of the
Nation in which we live"
Joseph A. DAILY, District presi-
dent of the order, introduced the
speaker. He also introduced Miss
Mary E. Cleary, District president
of the ladies auxiliary. Mrs. Ann
Carey, national president of the
ladies' auxiliary, brought greetings
to the dinner from the national
board. Father Timothy Mccarthy
of st. Margaret's Church at Seat
Pleasant, Md, said grace.
Mrs. Mason Attends.
Among those present at the an
nual banquet, which has been held
regularly since 1894, was Mrs. Mary
E. Mason, the only living charter
member of the ladies' auxiliary.
This section was formed in 1897.
The sole living charter member of
the mems society, which was
formed sometime during the 1905,
Is Patrick F. Carr of Baltimore. He
was unable to attend this year.
Senator OMahoney recalled that
when Negro citzecs OF Massachu-
sets held what probably was the
first great mass meeting of their
race in Fanueil Hall, Boston, on De-
cember Z, 1885, they chose as speak
er the immigrant Irish patriot and
poet, John Boyle O'Reilly, and he
repeated this message from O'Reilly:
mo race or nation is great or il
lustrious except by one teSt-the
breeding Of great men. Not mer-
chants or traders, not rich men,
bankers, insurance mongers or oi-
rectors Of gas companies. But great
thinkers, great seers OF the world
through their own eyes, great tellers
OF the truth and beauties and colors
and equities as they alone see them.
Great poets-ah! great poets above
au-and their brothers, great paint
ers and musicians and fashioners of
Gods beautiful shapes in clay and
marble and bronze.
Proof Of Truth and Beauty.
The Negro will never take his
stand beside or above the white man
I'LL he has given the world proof
Of the truth and beautysand hero
Ism and power that are in his soul.
And only by the organs Of the soul
are these delivered, by the self
respect and self-reflection, by
religion, poetry, art.
sacrifice and love. One poet will be
worth hundred bankers and brok-
ers, worth 10 Presidents of the
United States to the Negro race.
One great musician will speak to
the world for the black man as no
thousand editors or politicians can"
Marion Anderson and Paul Robe
son, the speaker said, are members
of the Negro race who have ac-
complished the things of which
O'Reilly spoke.
DR.. Edward Larkin, president of
the Friendly Sons, was the toast
master, and the Players, a society
organization, presented THE Lost
WILL" a play written by Denis E.
Connell and Thomas w. Brahany.
The play will be repeated Monday
night at the Mayflower for the