Hon. Thomas H. Carter, U. S. senator from Montana, made an eloquent
address. In the course of his speech he paid deserved compliments to
Hon. P. A. Collins of Boston, Hon. John D. Crimmins and General O’Beirne
of New York, and to other members of the society.
Senator Carter showed the absurdity of calling the United States an
Anglo-Saxon country, and traced the expansion of the original thirteen
states, and the wonderful resources of America. He said in substance:
A new race has sprung up in this country better than Saxon or Celt.
The success of the Republic is due to the fact that it unbridles
manhood. The special purpose of this association is to ascertain
what part dear old Ireland has played in this drama.
I am gratified beyond expression that this Society insists on seeing
justice done to the race from which we have sprung. The work must be
logical and correct. One of the most remarkable things is the
intellectuality of the Irish race.
Wherever freedom’s flag is hoisted you will find an Irishman at or
near that emblem. O’Higgins in South America is synonymous with
liberty. On every battlefield in North America the Irishman is
found, as he also is in poetry, history, arts and sciences. I would
not adulate the race. The Irishman forms only a part of the American
citizenship. But whether it is in storming Manila or the capital of
Great Britain the Irishman will be found doing his work
enthusiastically.
I would be delighted to see the Society extended to every state of
the Union. There are many, very many, incidents in connection with
the Irish race in America I would like to see set down. As a rule
the Irish hold the offices, not because they are Irish, but as a
recognition of ability and the eternal fitness of things.
Senator Carter spoke eloquently in praise of Gen. Thomas Francis
Meagher, one of the original white settlers of Montana, who died while
holding the office of governor of that territory.
Spirited addresses were also made by Hon. Thomas M. Waller, ex-governor
of Connecticut; Judge Wauhope Lynn of New York city; Ex-Congressman
Weadock of Michigan; Hon. William McAdoo of New York; George E. Van
Siclen, who spoke eloquently in behalf of the Boers of South Africa, and
Gen. James R. O’Beirne of New York.
Vocal selections were rendered during the evening, and Miss Sullivan of
New York gave selections on the harp.