Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Wednesday, March 23, 1921 ST PATRICK'S DAY EXERCISES FINE Stirring Address at the K.C. Hall by Mr. Tuohy of Bloomington, Ill. The St. Patrick's day exercises held in Emmetsburg this year were, from every standpoint, very creditable. The day was bright and pleasant and was almost as warm as a May morning. At 9:30 high mass was celebrated at the Assumption church, Father Savage officiating. Many of the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians attended in a body and the church was fairly filled with other members of the congregation. A splendid dinner was served by the Ladies' Aid Society of the Assumption parish in the basement of St. Thomas' church. They were liberally patronized. The net receipts were something over $285. Many strangers who were in the city enjoyed the feast and they pronounced it better than meals they had often paid from $1 to $1.50 in the cities. We need not say that the ladies feel grateful to the many who patronized them. The evening exercises were held in the K.C. hall. There did not begin to be standing room for the large number who attended. The room was tastily decorated with American and Irish colors. P.H. Donlon presided. A number of young ladies from St. Mary's academy rendered a lengthy medley of splendid Irish songs. They acquitted themselves with great credit and were warmly applauded for their efforts. A few young ladies from St. Ellen's academy followed, giving a patriotic production with delsarte effect. It was a high class number and was well suited for the occasion. William Coonan, Jr. sang the beautiful song composed by Russel Hennessey of this city some time ago. It more than pleased the large audience. Mr. Coonan, as usual, was the favorite with his hearers. The address by Attorney J.M. Tuohy of Bloomington, Ill. was one of genuine merit. In his preliminary remarks, he referred at some length to the eight years of struggle of the American people for the right of self-determination. Every individual who truly prizes liberty, naturally sympathizes with those of other lands who are battling for the privilege for which we struggled from 1775 to 1885. The people of Ireland have for centuries fought for the right to govern themselves. The same power, which by force tried to crush our republic in 1776, and during subsequent decades, is now resorting to the most disreputable and oppressive of methods to hold the people of the Emerald Isle in economic slavery and to deprive them of the blessings of free government. The people of struggling Ireland do not want the United States to go to war to assist them. All they ask is recognition by our government the same as we have recognized fourteen other republics in our past history. Why should we not sympathize with any people who are earnestly striving to organize our form of government? There are two kinds of authority in Ireland today. One is based on the will of 80 per cent of the people of our country-a large majority than was ever given to an American president. The other government rests exclusively on brute force exercised by a foreign monarchy. Which government shall we, as champions of free government, recognize? If we favor rule by force, by the sword, we must cease boasting of our undying zeal for the cause of human rights. Mr. Tuohy referred to the timely aid the people of Ireland had given to the Allies during the world war and the great assistance they had rendered at other times and in other lands, to those who were fighting for liberty and justice. He also called attention to the long and heroic struggle which Ireland has made for home rule-a compromise measure-from 1886, when William E Gladstone, championed their cause, until a local self government measure was passed in 1914 and was signed by the king. But the British government, true to its record, broke faith with John E Redmond as the official spokesman for the Irish people. Public sentiment in every land where liberty is prized is with the people of Ireland, and they are bound to win. Mr Tuohy is a gentleman of pleasing personality, is clear headed, logical and convincing, is earnest and forceful in his delivery and made a splendid impression on his large audience. He was at all times on the best of terms with his attentive hearers and he was applauded again and again for the admirable manner in which he handled his subject. The people of Emmetsburg hope to have the pleasure of hearing him again on some future occasion. Cathy Joynt Labath The Irish in Iowa http://www.rootsweb.com/~iarecrds/ Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~iapaloal/paloalto.htm