Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1889 — THEIR PATRON SAINT. [ARTICLE]

THEIR PATRON SAINT.

ANNIVERSAKY OF THE FRIENDLY PONS OF ST. PATRICK. Ex-President Cleveland Makes His First Public Appearance as a Private Citizen —He Responds to a Toast in a Patriotic Manner. [New York telegram.] Ex-President Grover Cleveland made his first public appearance as a private citizen in New York, in his initial speech since leaving the White House, at the 105th anniversary dinner of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, at Delmonico’s, »n the 16th inst. He appeared to be in excellenthealth and spirits, and received an ovation which, could not be excelled in point of warmth and sociability. He was attired in a dress suit, and entered the banquet hall on the arm of Joseph J. Q’Donoghue. He took the seat on the right of the presiding officer, while Mayor Grant was given ’.he corresponding seat on the other side. A‘ life-size picture of St. Patrick hung on the wall. Hanked on either side by an American and an Irish flag. The dining-room was appropriately draped with the national colors. At the speakers’ table, besides the ex-President of the United’ States and Mayor Grant, were the Hon. Everett P. Wheeler, the Han. John S. Wise, of Virginia, sx-Judge Charles P. Daly, Eldridge T. Garry, Delancey Nicoll, the Hon. Roswell P. Flower,. District Attorney Fellows, Colonel W. L. Brown, . Mid the respective representatives of the StNicholas, the Holland, St. David’s, St. Andrew’s, ind St. George’s Societies. Joseph J. O’Donoghue, as President of the or- - ganization, presided at the central table, and when the banquet had ended first introduced exOhief Justice Daly, of New York City, who spoke to the toast, “The Day We Celebrate,” 1 liter ■rf’fiieh a murmur of anticipation filled the hall, for each of the several hundreds at the table knew the ex-President was next on the list, and that to him had been 1 assigned the duty of responding to the* sentiment to “The United States,” and when the President’s brief introduction was concluded 1 , with Mr. Cleveland’s name, the diners leaped from their chairs and cheered lustily, and while' ■ the din was at its height Mr. Cleveland, his face a trifle pale, with interest in the scene, slowly arose and stood motionless, save for the bows of ' acknowledgment at the earnestness of the reception given him. The cheering having finally subsided, Mr. Cleveland pushed back his chair, and, speaking clearly and easily, he said: “The words to which I respond give rise to; such various and impressive reflections that I find it difficult to determine the line of thought*. which should be followed. What is naturally and obviously suggested by the sentiment proposed, is a country marvelous in its growth and. development, great in its po-wer and wealthy and. free in the character of its institutions and in the spirit of its people. There is also suggested a . broad and hospitable country, which opens its gates to the people of all nations who are to assume the duties of American citizenship in exchange for a share in the blessings which God has in store for the American people. Nor cair it be said that in national selfishness and sordid complacency our country is blind to the welfare of others. Wherever there exists a struggle for freer government and for man's enfranchisement there will be found the aid and sympathy of the people of the United States. In this we but follow the promptings which our free condition inspires, and acknowledge the contribution we have received from the sturdy men of other lands, to our population, and to every element of our greatness. In this reunion of your ancient and honorable society reminding us'of such contributions, and where the value of American citizenship is fully acknowledged, it is in every way fitting and proper that we should mention with love and loyalty the United States. I have referred, to the obvious significance of these words as ■ they are related to a great, prosperous, and free nation. But other nations, too, are great ~ they are prosperous and rich, and in a measure they are free. ‘States’ may mean any organized government —tyrannical, monarchical, or free. It is, therefore, most important that we do not miss the reflection that ‘the United States’ alone stand for the one government always free, and founded upon human rights and equality before the law. Thus is presented the unity of our States and the fundamental importance of that - unity, to all we are and all we hope to be. Our national life is inseparable from this union of the States. Thus it was launched upon its career among the nations of the earth, its machinery is suited to no other condition, and its success depends upon it. Whatever might be the achievements of separate and disjointed States, nothing but the triumph. of the United States can fully demonstrate in. the eyes of the world the success of the Ameri-i----can experiment of self-government. To the end that our nation might be called the United States, the fathers who forged so well the bonds' of our Union, yielded to each othertheir opinions and discarded their prejudices. In later years in order that the United States might be saved as a precious heritage, lives were sacrificed and blood was shed on many a hard-fought battle field. We should not be content with veneration for those who made us a nation, nor with the sacred and grateful remembrance of those who shed their - blood and gave their lives for its perpetuation. We, too, owe a duty to‘the United States.’ We can at least teach fraternity and toleration, thesure foundations of Our unity and of our country’s life.

“If these lessons are firmly established in the hearts of our countrymen, we shall, to the extent that we aid in this consummation, perform the duty required of us in our day and generation. Let us, then, cultivate real and genuine generosity and fraternal kindness among all our people. Let us resolve that no partisan exigency shall excuse the creation or keeping alive of irritation and jealousy among people all charged with the safety, the development, and the triumphs of American institutions. “Our destiny is before us. It can only be reached by union and harmony. We are not called upon to surrender or jeopardize any results in favor of our Union we may have gained in its armed defense, but rather to foster and secure those results through the patriotism of magnanimity. In the presence of the duty God has laid upon us as a nation, it should never be forgotten that failure waits*on dissension and division, and that a grudging acknowledgment of a . common brotherhood or a halt in co-opera-tion in a common patriotic purpose will surely check our national progress. In this assemblage where so large a representation is found of the race which, in all stages of our national life, has done so much to make our country great, and whose hearts at this time turn lovingly to their brethren who struggle for the blessings which.. are here enjoyed, I know that reference to any element of our freedom and happiness will meet • with a heartfelt response. “Here, regardless of place of birth or of former allegiance, we meet as American citizens, proud of our country, devoted to her interests and prosperity, and wishing, with enthusiasm for those less favored, the happiness, the freedom, the strength, and the peace which are found in the United States.” Various other toasts were responded to by public men.