Glass__ /^/ ^ ^ Book -^/3 PRESENTED BY ■>\^^,. PROCEEDINGS AT THE BANQUET TO HON. MORGAN J. O'BRIEN .0/5 . /Ar- yv ///TV/ r y //u ^/^ // V / / V/ y^/ / . Xy '///////// . /r/hJ /y . / f. ' /rrOv/^'A' y/'/f ///-> /v///y/////// V/w// /V//- fy/^rr f./ .V/y;///'/V// /, __/ ////-'/// //'/,y. (©fficer0 of t^e ^octet^ of t\)t iFrienul^ ^onsf of ^u ^Patrick, 1900 PRESIDENT JAMES A. O'GORMAN FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT EDWARD PATTERSON SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT CONSTANTINE J. MACGUIRE, M.D. TREASURER JOHN D. CRIMMINS RECORDING SECRETARY BARTHOLOMEW MOYNAHAN CORRESPONDING SECRETARY JOHN J. ROONEY ALMONER JOHN CRANE At a meeting of the Society of the Friendly Sons OF St. Patrick in the City of New York, held January and, 1900, at Delmonico's, the Hon. James Fitzgerald proposed the following resolution which was duly seconded and unanimously adopted by the Society: "WHEREAS, We, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, "appreciate in a marked degree the high personal character and "splendid services to our Society of Hon. Morgan J. O'Brien, our "retiring President, and desire to express in some conspicuous "complimentary manner the feelmgs of personal esteem with "which we regard him, THEREFORE, BE IT "RESOLVED, that we cordially invite him to accept a "dinner of the Society to be given in his honor at Delmonico's "on Wednesday evening, January 31st, 1900. "RESOLVED, that for the purpose of carrying out the "details of the proposed compliment, a committee of twenty-five "be appointed by the Chair with full power to take all the steps "necessary to make the occasion memorable and worthy." The Chair appointed as such committee the following: James Fitzgerald John G. O'Keeffe John D. Crimmins Michael E. Bannin Richard M. Walters Edward D. Farrell Maurice J. Power Thomas C. O'Sulhvan John Whalen John F. Carroll William R. Grace Col. Edward Duffy James S. Coleman W. J. K. Kenny Hugh J. Grant Edward C. Sheehy Frederick Smyth John O'Sullivan Francis Higgins Daniel F. McMahon Richard Deeves Edward J. McGuire Vincent P. Travers Howard Constable Miles M. O'Brien John Stewart Bartholomew Moynahan John J. Rooney The Dinner took place at Delmonico's, Fifth Ave- nue, on January 31st, 1900, and during the proceedings a loving cup was presented to Judge O'Brien. The fol- lowing members and guests were present: DAIS James A. O' Gorman Morgan J. O'Brien James M. Fitzsimons Rufus B. Cowing Henry A. Gildersleeve P. Henry Dugro Henry Bischoff, Jr. David Leventritt Francis M. Scott Chester B. McLaughlin Charles H. Van Brunt Most Rev. Michael A. Corrigan, D.D. Denis O'Brien J. Edward Simmons Edgar L. Fursman Joseph C. Hendrix Charles H. Truax Abraham R. Lawrence Henry R. Beekman George P. Andrews Leonard A. Giegerich David McAdam TABLE A Edmond J. Curry John McLaughlin Cornelius Callahan James Reilly James T. Smith J. F. Curry, M.D. J. J. Quinlan W. W. Wheatley Ashbel Green Edward Bell Maurice Bouvier Frank Wells Fred A. Guild Franklin Bartlett Wm. F. Carey Louis B. Rolston Thomas J. Col ton John J. Gibbons William Temple Emmet Granville T. Emmet Edward Duffy Wm. L. Turner Thomas Costigan Maurice J, E. D. Farrell M. J. Stack M. T. Barrett Thomas Willis Daniel J. Kane T. J. Shanley J. R. Benjamin John A. Brill Ira A. McCormick H. H. Vreeland Daniel M. Brady W. H. Whalen Geo. W. McCluskey William Schickel Thomas J. Byrne Marston R. Cockey John Reid A. V. Porter John Vesey John H. Scully Michael J. Scanlan Timothy J. Hayes Charles E. Nammack, M.D. Power TABLE B P. F. Collier John Fox Daniel F. Cooney Anthony Oechs James Whealen Rev. Bro. Eusebius Wm. H. Hurst A. G. Humraell John J. Walsh Jos. M. Byrne P. J. Cuskley Wm. M. Ryan Thos. C. Ennever P. J. Walsh C. A. Hart James A. Hart F. C. O'Reilly Joseph P. Fallon Edward O' Flaherty William P. Burr R. M. Walters George Bartholomew John J. Moore John F. Farley Andrew J. Shipman James J. Phelan Edmund Luis Mooney Louis F. Doyle Daniel O'Connell M. Warley Platzek Joseph E. Gavin John Delahunty J. P. Caddagan Andrew J. Connick Guest Benjamin F. Rhoads Thos. P. Kelly John Byrns Joseph W. Lawrence Patrick Kiernan Terence F. Curley Stephen J. Geoghegan John J. Kennedy James McGovern Charles F. Walters Philip A. Smyth John G. O'Keeffe TABLE C William J. K. Kenny Wm. Geoghegan, M. D. Wm. George Foster Thomas C. O'Sullivan James F. Shaperkotter Geo. E. Best Wm. E. Burke Joseph P. Day Adrian T. Kiernan Guest James Curran Arthur O'Connor Joseph B. Bissell, M. D, M. J. Mulqueen Abraham Stern Morris J. Hirsch R. J. Lyons John J. Harrington Philip J. Britt John E. McDonald Percival E. Nagle Maurice Untermeyer C, W. Morse John F. Daniel F. McMahon James P. Keating Bernard Naughton John Beaver G. W. McNulty William H. Bailey Frank A. McHugh Charles D. O'Connell Nicolas Geoffray Wm. P. Maloney J. Campbell Thompson Wm. G. Davies Julien T. Davies, Jr. Julien T. Davies Samuel Untermeyer Thomas J. Dunn Matthew Corbett James J. Martin Edward R. Carroll Isaac Fromme John B. Sexton J. Ross Curran Wm. H. Gelshenen Carroll lO TABLE D Lewis J. Conlan William N. Penney Murray C. Danenbaum John H. Spellman F. B. Delehanty Joseph P. McDonough Thomas J. Kearney A. F. Travers F. C. Travers Henry Anderson V. P. Travers Howard Constable John A. Sullivan DeLancey Nicoll Frank T. Fitzgerald Andrew Freedman Jacob A. Cantor William F. Sheehan M. E. Bannin Bird S. Coler William R. Grace William N. Cohen Frederick Smyth Edward James Fitzgerald Silas W. Burt John J. Rooney George H. Fahrbach James A. Deering Edward F. O'Dwyer John Stewart Martin J. Earley J. J. Cavanagh P, N. Knapp George Mitchell John B. Brennan John Crane Eugene A. Philbin Charles R. Miller John McQuade Guest Edward D. O'Brien Arthur Terry Henry Morgenthau B. F. Coleman James S. Coleman George C. Barrett Patterson II TABLE E John W. Keller Thomas S. Brennan John W. GoflE Richard Deeves Frederick A. Burnham George D. Eldridge Andrew Little John Gilsey David Wile Norman F. Cross E. J. O'Shaughnessy Robert E. McDonnell Roderick J. Kennedy P. Gallagher Hugh King E. W. Wakelee John A. Young James C. Young Robert Gibson Thomas F. Bardon Rastus C. Ransom F. J. Quinlan, M.D. William L. Brown Constantine J. Hugh J. Grant Anthony J. Brady James A. Blanchard George H. Burnham Miles M. O'Brien Edward C. Sheehy James F. Frawley John Fleming C. Yates Wemple Lawrence Winters John O'Sullivan H. Y. Wemple Jacob F. Gunther Peter McDonnell James P. Farrell George W. Young A. S. White Charles L. Young Charles Phelps, M.D Frederick Flower Bryan L. Kennelly Thomas L. Feitner John Whalen Macguire, M.D. la TABLE F David O'Brien W. T. Baker Michael T. Daly Robert McCafferty Robert E. Deyo Wm. B. Ellison Chas. D. Olendorf Theodore Connoly Parrel F. O'Dowd Joseph P. Healey D. C. Haggerty John P. Haggerty Chas. J. Henry J. Henry Haggerty Prank L. Haggerty Thomas H. Bemis James Kearney James Butler John H. Rogan Joseph J. O'Donohue David McClure D. J. Bodkin, M.D. Wm. J. Fanning A. C. Twining John P. O'Brien Chas. Strauss Leo Schlesinger Geo. W. Krochl A. H. Joline G. B. M. Harvey L. T. Fell Frank J, Breslin Wm. A. Kane James T. Hickey Peter P. Kane John Lynn T. E. Crimmins A. G. Jennings J. M. Quigley Henry D. Macdona Benjamin Yates Lorenzo Semple Horace K. Doherty James W. Connelly Michael Coleman M. P. Breslin Francis Higgins 13 TABLE G Daniel Whitford Rev. James W. Power Daniel J. Quinlan Thaddeus Moriarty James Quinlan Thomas J. Nealis Henry Lowenthal J. E, Hardenberg Augustin Walsh James Dunne John Rooney Jocelyn Johnstone Timothy J. M. Murray Nicholas J. Barrett Thomas Barrett Joseph J. Gleason Patrick Ryan Isaac Bell Brennan John B. Finn William H. Ricketts RoUin M. Morgan Ernest Staples Thomas F. Ryan M. J. Drummond W. J. Fransioli John Goodwin John J. Lenehan C. C. Sanders John Vincent Edward J. Bartholomew Moynahan Thomas Kirkpatrick James Flynn Peter J. Loughlin John Connolly James J. Nealis James L. McNierney John McCullough Austin Finegan Richard P. Lydon Walter A. Burke John Slattery Frank S. Gannon, Jr. J. Walter Gannon Frank S. Gannon Edward Eyre Thomas J. Woodlock Samson Lachman Joseph P. Healy Guest of M. E, Bannin Charles L. Guy C. J. O'Callaghan John Kirkpatrick Cornelius T. DriscoU Patrick Farrelly Stephen Farrelly John Byrne Frank Sullivan Smith Hector W. Thomas McGuire H JHenu Sauternes Huitres Sherry Premier potage Consomm^ Celestine Tortue verte au claire Radis Bora d'Oeurres Olives Celeri Poisson Aiguillettes de bass ^ la Marifenire Pommes de terre Duchesse r Releve Champagne Selle de raouton, sauce Colbert Celeri brais^ 6ntreee Poularde farcie aux marrons Petits pois au beurre Terrepfene k la Baltimore SORBET PRUNELLE Chateau Couffran Rots Canards ^ tete rouge Salade de celeri Entremets de Douceur Glaces de fantaisies Fruits Petits fours Fromage Caf^ Liqueurs Alineral Waters Cigars ^.v Rot* . . .-.iw Cfu^ran Canards k t6te rouge Salade de celeri Fruits :.^qiir:irs COPYRIGHTED, igOO, THE GORHAM MFG. CO., N. Y. 15 REMARKS OF JUDGE O'GORMAN The President, having rapped for order, said: Gentlemen, I am sure the presence of this large and dis- tinguished company is no less gratifying to our guest than to the officers of the Society. A common sentiment pervades us all to-night. We meet to pay a well-deserved compliment to a gentleman, who holds a high place in the esteem and affections of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. (Applause). During the long history of our Society, extending back to the very dawn of our National life, we have had many presidents, all men of ability and high character, but, without disparagement of any of them, we never had a more zealous, capable, or efficient officer, or a truer friend than Judge O'Brien. (Applause). He brought to the discharge of his duties a high appreciation of the responsibilities of his position, a praiseworthy ambition to advance the Society, and to extend its usefulness, and an intense fidelity to the principles and traditions of Irish nationality and Irish patriotism, which it should always be the aim of this organ- ization to foster, uphold and perpetuate. (Applause). How admir- ably he succeeded is known to you all. It was reserved for his administration to witness the highest prosperity to which the Society has ever attained. Never before was the limit of mem- bership reached. Never before did the Society have a waiting list ; never before was our treasury in such a flourishing condition, and more important than all else, never before in all its career, did the society exercise a more potent influence in promoting, in this City and State and Country, the status of Irish exiles and their descendants. (Applause). For Judge O'Brien's valuable contributions to these magnificent results, the Society will ever i6 hold him in gfrateful remembrance. And when it is recalled that his administration was so eminently successful, it is not surpris- ing that we were anxious to re-elect him for a fourth term ; but our friend occupies a unique place among the citizens of this city, because of his desire, recently cultivated, to escape from office; and, much to our regret, he refused the proffered honor of a re- election. Although we could not persuade him to retain office, he was induced to accept our hospitality to-night ; and whether we regard him as a citizen of irreproachable private life, or a jurist of distinguished attainments, I am sure I express the senti- ments of all present when I say we are proud of Judge O'Brien. (Applause). We rejoice in his triumphs, and we are confident that his future career will be marked by the same brilliant success that his talents and industry have so richly merited in the past; and let me assure you, Judge O'Brien, that in this city, where your friends are legion, you have no more ardent admirers, or more sincere well-wishers than the Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick gathered about this board to-night. (Cheers). That their admiration may assume some more enduring expression, it is my privilege, on their behalf, to present to you this loving cup. May it ever be a reminder to you and your children that, upon your retirement from the presidency of the most ancient Irish Society in America, your fellow members gave you the highest personal tribute that could be paid to any man. (Loud and pro- found applause). Gentlemen, I ask you to drink to the health of our guest. Judge Morgan J. O'Brien. May his cup of happiness and content- ment be ever as full as it is to-night. (Cheers). The toast was duly honored, the entire company rising and singing, "For he is a Jolly Good Fellow." The demonstration continued until the President again exercised his gavel in creating order. 17 Judge O'Brien, who on rising received an enthusi- astic ovation, said: My Dear Friends: — Many a time have I stood before the Friendly Sons and their guests, but never before with such con- flicting emotions of embarrassment and pride. Language fails me to express my heartfelt appreciation of this magnificent gath- ering or make a fitting response to the friendly, able and gener- ous address of your president. That I should feel embarrassed is natural; for this great banquet, supplemented as it is by what to me is a priceless lov- ing cup, far exceeds aught that I have deserved or had the right to expect. (Cries of "No. No.") I must in great part attribute it to the warmth and the generous impulses of your hearts rather than to any merit of mine. And just here my embarrassment begins, for although I do sincerely feel that the reward far exceeds my deserts, I must not go too far in that direction lest I seem to reflect on your judgment and wisdom in having planned and arranged this beautiful testimonial. I am forced, therefore to accept, and, I trust, with becoming modesty, the reasons assigned by Judge O' Gorman for this dinner. Among these, he has been good enough to refer to the share I have had in the building up and strengthening of this ancient and honorable society. (Applause.) That to me was a labor of love. When we recall how this society was brought into life and being, and cradled amidst the stirring times after our Amer- ican Revolution by Irish officers who, by their valor and courage, had aided in the success of the greatest effort for human liberty the world has ever known : how, stirred by a desire to keep alive the fire of patriotism, these men banded together in this society which, through the years, has remained true to the principles and sentiments of its founders : we, who love our country with every fibre of our hearts and who venerate and cherish the cause of the race from which we sprung, might indeed, with pleasure, i8 give some small part of our time to perpetuate a society of Irish- men and their descendants, which, regardless of politics or relig- ion, is designed to promote patriotism, to extend charity and to bring into closer social union men who, however they may differ on methods of policies, are united in their affection for America and its institutions, and who, stand ready to extend encourage- ment and aid to those who, under less favored conditions, are still united to us through our fathers and our forefathers by ties of race and blood. (Applause.) I can, without taking the credit therefor, assert that, during the years of my presidency, the society has signally prospered. How could it be otherwise when its administrative officers included as vice-presidents. Judge Smyth and Mayor Grant; as treasurer, John Crimmins ; as secretaries, McGuire and Moyna- han ; as almoner, John Crane, and as chairman of the Admission Committee, Judge Fitzgerald? (Applause.) Nor should I fail to mention our stewards, whose efforts made our dinners a success. And what should I not say of the active members, each one of whom I would like to name and shake by the hand to-night, and thank, not alone for their unvarying loyalty and support, but for their generous forbearance in my mistakes and shortcomings as their presiding officer. (Applause.) These were the factors that made my duties light and pleas- ant, and made the Society successful and prosperous, and these were the men who, besides their past marks of friendship and esteem, would crown their generous treatment of me personally by adding to my debt of gratitude and affection this splendid banquet and superb loving cup. I accept both in the spirit in which they are given, and will retain this loving cup as a souve- nir of disinterested friendship while I live, and bequeath it to my posterity as a priceless heritage. (Applause.) "While such a spirit of loyalty and friendship for the presi- dent and officers continues, how can the society be other than prosperous? That my worthy successor will have the same gen- 19 erous support aud treatment that I have always received, I have no manner of doubt. He enters upon his office with the entire confidence of every member ; and when to this is added his char- acter and ability, we need have no fear for the future of the Society. (Applause.) Its past history and traditions are splen- did, its present is secure.and the future, under his guiding hand, is full of glorious possibilities. (Applause.) And, if a stimulus were needed to encourage him in his efforts to carry onward and upward the good work of the Society, it is furnished in the exhi- bition given to-night of the kindness, forbearance and generosity of the Friendly Sons. Regardless of my mistakes and failings, I find myself sur- rounded to-night by the same kind and generous friends that greeted me when I first became president. And I can truthfully say that this gathering more than makes amends for any efforts of mine which were freely and honestly devoted to the welfare of the Society. (Applause.) With the flight of years, be they many or few, what softened remembrances shall come to me when I think of the friends of to-night and of the pleasures and joys of which they were a part? Often in memory shall I revisit this scene, and, though many a hope and ambition may be wrecked and shattered, nothing ever can rob me of the pride, the pleasure and the consolation with which your presence and greeting have filled me to-night. (Ap- plause.) Because so much in accord with my own feelings, I can not refrain from paraphrasing in part those beautiful lines of Moore : Farewell, but whenever you welcome the hour That awakens the night song of mirth in your bower, Then think of the friend who once welcomed it too And forgot his own griefs to be happy with you. His griefs may return, not a hope may remain Of the few that have brightened his pathway of pain ; 20 But he never shall forget the short vision that threw Its enchantment around him while lingering with you. Let fate do her worst, there are relics of joy Bright dreams of the past which she cannot destroy ; Which come in the night time of sorrow and care And bring back the features that joy used to wear. Long, long be my heart with such memories filled, Like the cup in which friendship has once been distilled. You may break, you may shatter the cup if you will; But the memory of friendship will cling to it still. (Loud and prolonged applause.) The President : Mr. John T. Brennan, one of the Friendly Sons, will now sing. (Applause.) Mr. Brennan then rendered "A Dream of Para- dise" (Gray), and in response to an imperative en- core gave "The Kerry Dance" (MoUoy.) The President : Gentlemen, Judge O'Brien told you of the great aid and services rendered to him by his associates in the Board of Management. Judge Fitzgerald, on behalf of those gentlemen, will tell you what they think of Judge O'Brien. Judge Fitzgerald, on rising, was received with enthusiastic applause. He said : Mr. President, Brother Members of the Society of the Friendly Sons, and Friends : After all that has been said, and so well said, by our worthy President regarding our guest, it is difficult for me to find any new matter with which to interest 21 you ; but, as chairman of the committee charged by the Society with the arrangements for this dinner, I may be permitted to offer a few words of explanation and of congratulation. I desire, in the first place, to extend my sincere thanks to all the members of the committee for the very efficient services rendered by them in organizing the grand success of this evening. As Judge O'Brien said of his work for the Society, I can truly say of their work in regard to this demonstration — it was a labor of love. (Applause). True, there were not many difficulties in our way. No embarrassing situation confronted us, and in this re- spect I might say,in a spirit of entire good nature, that we were in a very different position from some perplexed persons who were in charge of a similar matter in this City quite recently. (Laughter). We had no such difficulty to confront as that which had to be met and surmounted by that triumvirate of delegated authority known in this community as the "Three Johns." (Renewed laugh- ter). Although a pleasant presentation of the silver question was on our programme (laughter), we did not feel called upon to impress the rule of golden silence upon our guest; we did not have to enter into involved preliminary explanations as to whether we were going to publicly entertain a private citizen, or privately entertain a public character. (Laughter). Our guest, in a word, was not in the enemy's country (more laughter) ; he was by the fireside of his admirers and the home of his friends. (Applause). Judge O'Brien was, as you have been told, on three separate occasions, elected president of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. "We thrice presented him with a kingly crown, which he did thrice accept. (Laughter and applause). We were particularly anxious to make a fourth presentation of that piece of usually coveted headgear, but upon the fourth occasion our Caesar revolted. (Laughter). You will readily see that no apprehension of imperialism in any way daunted our intrepid souls. (Laughter). 22 I wish to express, in addition, the thanks of the Society to the distinguished gentlemen who have aided in making this a great occasion by their presence — to the worthy representative of the great Church to which so many of the children of St. Pat- rick belong, our admired, beloved and respected Archbishop (applause); to the distinguished members of the judiciary asso- ciated with Judge O'Brien (applause), and to the many well known representatives of the commercial and professional inter- ests of this great City, who have favored us by accepting our invitation, and who were glad of an opportunity to unite with us in this tribute of honor to our friend. (Applause.) Why is it necessary that I should speak to you of our feelings towards Judge O'Brien? This occasion speaks with an eloquence in comparison with which the tribute of words is absolutely in- significant. The qualities that command the admiration of the gentlemen who sit around these tables cannot be enumerated. You cannot catalogue the gifts of a broad and cultivated mind, of a generous and noble heart, of a true and worthy nature. (Applause). These are attributes the possession of which forces recognition with the same unobservable power that the sun of the morning floods the universe with the glory of its light. (Applause.) The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick take a deep interest in everything connected with the achievements of the children of our grand old race. Literature, art, science, military annals — all team with the glories of the sons of the Gael. In every age — while we make no shadowy pretensions — we are proud of the fact that, notwithstanding we may have been discriminated against by overpowering force, we have steadily and resolutely striven in the face of all obstacles to carry to the front.and to keep flying, the old flag. (Applause). Is it then any wonder that our affections go forth to a man like Judge O'Brien, who, in this community, and under the folds of our glorious flag, which grants equal opportunities to all. 23 attained, by the strength of his personal character, a position of dignity and responsibility in the community, and who performs its exacting duties in a manner to win and maintain the respect of all his fellow-citizens? (Applause). That he has been a splendid executive head of our Society all our members only too well know. Kind, patriotic, concilia- tory, yielding in non-essentials but in essentials fixed and reso- lute, he endeavored to maintain the standard of the Society in accordance with its high traditions and its glorious history. (Applause). Voicing the sentiments of the members of our ancient body, speaking for all within the sound of my voice— in the presence of the fair and beloved partner of your life (pro- longed applause), who looks down upon this scene with that sense of pride which only a true wife and mother can feel— allow me on behalf of our grand old Society to wish you, Judge O'Brien, a long life of happiness and prosperity ; may your every dream be realized, your every ambition satisfied ; may your future years be years of crowning glory and honor, as your merits deserve. (Loud and prolonged applause;. The President next announced a song by Mr. George Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell rendered "The Minstrel Boy," which was much appreciated, and before retiring from the piano sang "Savourneen Dheelish, Aileen Og." The President introduced as the next speaker Mr. Joseph C. Hendrix. Mr. Hendrix, who was warmly received said: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: I deem it a great honor to be permitted to be a guest upon an occasion of this kind. I come 24 as an ambassador from a far off country. I am commissioned by the money power to come to the Court of St. Patrick to-night and deposit laurels and chaplets at the feet of your distinguished guest — Pansies for remembrance, Violets for fidelity, Roses for purity and Rosemary for thought. (Applause). Then, too, it is a great pleasure to face an audience of this kind. There is noth- ing in the experience of an after-dinner speaker more delightful than to catch the response, the quickness of feehng and appreci- ation, and the fervor in action of a Celtic audience. (Applause). Then, too, it is an occasion so peculiarly interesting and beauti- ful — bounded as it is on the south by the Blarney Stone, on the east by Erin Go Bragh, on the west by "The Harp That Once Thro' Tara's Hall" and on the north (pointing to the ladies' gal- lery) by "The Colleen Bawn." (Laughter and applause) — I do not know just why the presence of a banker is appropriate. Perhaps it is to relieve the tedium of this long line of judges — the fullest bench that has been seen in New York for a long while. (Laughter). It is a great pleasure to pay tribute to Judge Morgan J. O'Brien. (Applause). He is known outside of the confines of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. You do not own all that there is of him. He belongs to us all. (Applause). He belongs to the community which he serves ; he belongs to the City which he honors ; he belongs to the time which he adorns and to the coun- try which he loves. (Applause). He is a gentlemen of pride, of intellect, of education, of a gift of nature which man may well envy, of a wise and catholic spirit, of a love for his fellow man, of a judicial temper, and above all, a gentlemen, of a sterling patriotism. (Applause). I know how you, Irishmen, love him, but Dutchmen like Truax and me can love him also. (Laughter and applause). I enjoyed the welcome you gave him. I thought, when he was paraphrasing, he might go further and as I heard an after-dinner speaker one night, in the ebullition of good feel- ing, paraphrase an old hymn when he said : 25 "When death's dark stream I ferry o'er — A day that surely shall come — I will ask no more on Heaven's shore Than a hearty Irish welcome." (Laughter and applause). You are giving our friend, Judge O'Brien, to-night a treasure of memory which will last him until that final summons comes. It is indeed a delightful service. Life is short, and as much as we crowd it with action, with energies, with efforts, there is noth- ing so becoming, after all, as to let the flowers of friendship bloom by the roadside. It is indeed a graceful act of the St. Patrick's Society to constitute an occasion, the parallel of which has rarely, if ever, been seen in the City of New York, when so many men gather around the festive board with the single and the sole purpose of doing honor to a gentleman of their acquain- tance: and the best of it all is that he is worthy of all the honor that you can do him. (Applause). I have no patience with the pessimist. I like the man who loves his fellow-man and loves his country and sees good in the times in which he lives. (Applause). "I do distrust the poet who discerns No character or glory in his time ; But trundles back his soul five hundred years, past moat and drawbridge, Into castle court, to sing." The theme I love to hear sung is the theme of to-day and about the men of to-day, the men who are about us, whose lives we know, whose incomings and outgoings we are familiar with whose character we may determine out of our own experience, whose length and breadth we can measure by the compass of our own minds ; and here to-night we have before us in the pillory a man that we place there not for punishment but for praise, and 26 not for praise by reason of convention but praise out of our hearts, because we believe all that we say. (Applause). It is a beautiful country that takes a man from the ranks and elevates him to a station demanding respect and honor, such as we have an example of here this evening. Scratch beneath any dress suit at this table and you find in two generations, if not in one, somebody deep down in the ranks of the people ; and we cannot do too much honor to a civilization, or to a time, which, within the space of two generations, or perhaps one, enables a man by his own efforts to reach the point of esteem, of honor, and of respect which Judge O'Brien has reached to-night. (Applause). It were idle to multiply words. The occasion speaks for itself. It is an honor to us all to have such a guest; it is an honor to the guest to have such friends. (Applause). The President : Gentlemen : We have with us to-night a gentleman who has known Judge O'Brien for many years, who knew him when he came to the Bar and has admired him while upon the Bench. I present to you Mr. Julien T. Davies. (Applause). Mr. Davies: Mr. President and Gentlemen, I feel truly gratified in being asked to address so distinguished an audience on such a subject, and I feel particularly honored that I should have been selected to say a few words as the representative of the Bar — that Bar to which, on both sides of the Atlantic, ever since there has been a Bar worthy of the name, the sons of St. Patrick have contributed many of the most prominent and dis- tinguished ornaments. (Applause). Mr. President, it is a tradi- tion of the Bar that lawyers do not cease to be such when they become judges, and we claim the guest of the evening as a mem- ber of the Bar, and as one who has always continued to be such during his career upon the Bench. (Applause). 27 We all form our judgment of men somewhat from our per- sonal experience. There is always perhaps some one occasion which constitutes the test ; and may I be permitted to say that, of all the acts of kindness that I owe to Mr. Justice O'Brien, I esteem none more highl}^ than that which permitted me to be- come a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. (Applause), I was afraid, when I explained to him that 1 had to go back 250 years to find my Irish ancestors on the soil of Ireland, that he would not admit my claim ; but he was good enough to think that that drop of Irish blood was strong enough to be undiluted, not- withstanding that it had mingled with the blood of many nations during that 250 years. He did not say to me, Mr. President, what perhaps he might have said — he did not make to me the famous remark of the man who, dining and finding himself served with a very good soup, called the waiter to him and said "John, where does that soup come from ?" "Oh, that, Your Honor, is ox-tail." "But, John," he said, "isn't that going back rather far for soup ?" (Laughter). The fact that I was not told that I was going back too far for soup in claiming to be eligible for membership of this society was certainly one of the most potent reasons for my friendly feelings towards the guest of the evening. (Applause). Mr. President, seldom has a man had an opportunity to plead a cause under such favorable circumstances as I have to-night. There are a large number of judges here — in fact, every judge of the Supreme Court who does duty within the City of New York with the exception of one or two who are unavoidably detained elsewhere. Now, what a Court is that for a lawyer to address himself to ? And then this jury composed of representatives of the Irish race, the most poweiful and distin- guished of their number, who have gained influence in our great metropolis ! I would that I could always address a Court and Jury after dinner, but unfortunately we do not have such good luck as a rule. But now, Mr. President, my parallel begins to 28 fail me. When I ask, what is my cause? I recognize that Morgan J. O'Brien is one of the parties, but who is on the other side ? Nobody is against him ; everj-body is for him, and he is against nobody. It seems then as if I was obliged to speak in a cause where everybody was on the side of my client. The fact is, Mr. President, that Mr. Justice O'Brien is indeed a friendly son of St. Patrick, and it is that friendliness that has endeared him to the members of the Bar. (Applause). We respect his ability; we admire his learning: but for his kindly, patient and friendly heart, he has our affection. (Applause). As president of this Society he has served for three successive terms. The Bar will claim him for three successive terms. (Applause). That may not be his wish, but we will not be denied. Nor will the limit of time nor the limit of age interfere, for although as the years go by he will reach that period when an inexorable law requires our judges to retire, his heart will ever be young, and that age limit will never affect the kindly affections of the nature which has endeared him to us. (Applause). Mr. President, permit the Bar, whose representative you have been good enough to make me this evening, to join in this tribute to Mr. Justice O'Brien, and to say that, in the experience of the Bar, there has never been a more cordial exhibition of affection and regard to one of our number, than that which this gathering brings to him to-night. (Loud and prolonged applause). The President: A gentleman who has long been associated with Judge O'Brien upon the Bench, will now tell you something of the esteem in which Judge O'Brien is held by his brothers upon the Bench. I in- troduce Judge Gildersleeve. Judge Gildersleeve, who was received with ap- plause, said: Mr. President and Gentlemen: I am proud to raise my 29 humble voice in commendation of the life and character of Mor- gan J. O'Brien. (Applause) The well-deserved compliment he enjoys to night is vouchsafed to but few men in this world. He has given up, we are told, the distinguished honor of presiding over this influential society. Who would not give up any honor for the compliment he receives here to-night ? (Applause). About a year ago, more or less, we were told that he was likely to give up the office to which he has contributed so much distinction. As his intimate friend and companion, I could scarcely understand how it was. I did not believe that he seri- ously intended to deprive the people of his valuable services. He must have had in contemplation an occasion like this (laughter), and it certainly was enough to tempt any man. He not only hears the story of his life, grasps those whom he loves by the hand and receives assurances of their continued affection and devotion — an occasion that he and all of us will remember throughout our lives — but he receives this magnificent loving cup, which when our memories shall all have passed away, will remain an heirloom in his family forever and forever. (Applause). I happen to know that, while this will stand as a king among the trophies that decorate his sideboard, he possesses other cups not won by devotion to social organizations, not won through the affections of those of whom he is fond, but won by his skill as a golfer. (Laughter). Gentlemen, I take second place to none of you in admiration of the excellent qualities of Judge O'Brien, to which our attention has been fittingly called to-night, but I bow to him with profound respect when I recall the occasions upon the links when I have fallen a victim to his skill. (Laughter). Once before it was my privilege to allude to this game that does not interest all of you, and on that occasion I was able to make a very favorable report in my own behalf. I held my head up high and I looked you all squarely in the face. To-night my head is bowed very low, and I humbly acknowledge his superior skill. (Laughter). I am bound to confess that I am one of his 3° debtors and I owe him ten good golf balls which I must pay on the first opportunity. (Laughter). I have said that he gave up something, I don't think he had the banquet in view when he gave it up, but at all events the sur- render of an office furnished the occasion for the triumphs of this evening. He had to give up something. He has had everything from his youth up, and no organization to which he has ever belonged has failed to place him in the highest office. Why? I am told to-night by some who have known him longer than I have, that twenty years ago, when he could not row a bit, he had an old boat up at the Harlem River that he called the "Harp," and they made him president of the rowing club.( Much laughter). If he did not give up something he would be one that none of us ever expect to see in this life — he would have the whole earth. But to go back a moment to the cups, I want to remind him that Col. Harvey, Judge O'Brien and myself are tenants in com- mon in a cup, and it remains for Judge O'Brien to win over the two-thirds before that too joins this magnificent trophy that will go to his home to-night. But I have no doubt that he will get it in the end. (Laughter). Those of us who think we can play golf a little better than he say that his Irish luck pulls him through. (Laughter). Tried by every test known to mankind, in the case of Judge O'Brien the result is always pure gold; but he has seen very lit- tle of adversity, and I am not sure that he has ever been tried in that court. An unfortunate colored man met a friend of his one day, and the friend said to him, "Why, Sam, I hear you have been in hard luck." "Hard luck ? Yes, Pete, things have gone against me — had a mighty hard time of it lately." "Well, cheer up, cheer up, old man, adversity tries all of us — brings out our best qualities." "Ah-h-h, it wasn't adversity that tried me. It was an old vaga- 31 bon' of a judge, and he brought out my worst qualities. (Laughter). You do not expect me, I am sure, to speak of the judicial qualities of our guest. Some of my associates — and I occasionally concur with them — are prone to think that we don't always get the best law from the Appellate Division (laughter), and when we are reversed we think they are wrong ; we say ' 'Just wait until the question gets up the river. It may not get out of the O'Brien family (laughter), but when it gets up there, we shall get the law of the land that is irrevocable." (Much laughter). Now, gentlemen, I have seen about every side, I think, of the life of the guest of the evening ; but for devotion to the faith that is in him, for goodly fellowship, unselfishness and loyalty to his friends, put me down as placing Judge O'Brien at the very top of the list. (Applause). By reason of the close fellowship that exists between us, I am warranted in adding a word to the sentiment so eloquently expressed by Judge Fitzgerald in refer- ence to his family. To her who years ago took him by the hand and promised to be an affectionate, a devoted and a loving wife until death them did part, we shall delight to drink the health to-night; and let me, in connection with the toast to Mrs. O'Brien, not forget the ten robust children that their happy union has con- tributed to the wealth, the happiness, and the prosperity of the community. (Enthusiastic applause). The President : I now have the pleasure of pre- senting to you ex-Senator Thomas C. O'Sullivan. Mr. O'Sullivan, who was warmly applauded, said : Mr. Chairman: Some time ago, at a royal banquet given to an Eastern potentate, the Eastern fellow, not accustomed to the ways of civilized society, and especially to that part of it as exemplified at our dinners, was mystified by the presence of six 32 gentlemen at the table. They were mournful, long-faced, lugu- brius individuals, and he did not understand why, at a feast of merriment of that character, they should be so mournful, so sad ; and leaning over to the chairman of the evening he said: Mr. Chairman, what are these sad gentlemen here for? Are they to be executed after this feast as a part of the entertainment ? " when the chairman responded, "No, they are not to be executed. These are the six after-dinner speakers, and that is why they are so sad." (Laughter). I can understand the sadness of the gentlemen myself when subjected to the treatment of the New York judiciary. (Laughter). You have heard the gentlemen, who compose a great part of the judiciary, to-night, and they have had ample opportunity to elaborate their opinion, but with their elegant disregard for legal procedure, the judicial gentle- man who presides at the banquet this evening has given a notice of motion to his adversary, namely myself, just ten min- utes before the return of the argument. (Laughter). However, I am here to say with you all that we heartily endorse and approve every sentiment that has been expressed concerning Judge O'Brien, It has been just now shown it will be impossi- ble for him at least to retire from the presidency of the Friendly Sons and Daughters, though he may retire from the presidency of the Friendly Sons. (Laughter and applause). This is an occasion which excites not only sympathy, but, looking upon the array of judicial talent which honors us this evening it may excite ambition as well, because lawyers are ambitious. The admonition "Beware of ambition" was only given to angels, and let it be said that it is not necessary to remark the distinction between lawyers and angels. (Laughter). Some time ago in a little church in the eastern hills, after service, a lady, who had brought her child that Sunday to the service, was seated in one of the pews with the baby, after the congregation had left, and the clergyman walking down through the aisle with his garb had frightened the child ; the child began 33 to cry, when the priest approached the woman and asked "what is the matter with the baby?" "Well," she says " Your Rev- erence, it is crying on account of your robe; it is afraid of it." "Oh," he said, "let the baby not be afraid. It will one day per- haps be a priest as I am," and the lady replied " It will be hard for it, father, because it is a little girl." (Laughter). When I looked upon the array of judges seated here to-night I thought that the obstacle to a lawyer's ambition was there as insurmountable, as was the case with the baby. When I thought of the long period yet to be served by the able judges, I thought, how useless is ambition on the part of younger lawyers ! But I thought again how useless it would be, even for the most ambitious of us, to aspire to hold not only the place on the Bench but the place which Justice O'Brien holds in the hearts of the citizens of New York City. (Applause). It has been well said that the best theme of to-day is the man of to-day, but thinking of the man of to-day brings us back to the men of days gone by, and to-night in particular might we be brought back to a generation of men who, in other days, from a less favored land sought our shore— the men from the birthland of Judge O'Brien's father, of my father and the fathers of many of you— who in a day long gone, knowing nothing of the land to which they came, but as the child comes to its mother so they came to this country prepared to love it and to die for it if neces- sary. (Applause), Young, with the strength of brass in their toughened sinews, and with hopeful hearts, the men came, in a generation that is gone, to our shores and found perhaps the wel- come that was given to many, but in some cases not the hope, not the encouragement for progress as we find it here to-day— they came, and many followed wherever labor was to be found. The wilderness was cleared, the click of the Irish Catholic wood- man's axe was heard in the forests of the North, and along the railway, and in the forges, they followed wherever work was to be found. Their name became synonymous with labor and truth ; 34 and when the tocsin of war sounded, ready to fling themselves to death for the flag under the folds of which they found shelter, many of them wrote their names on the scrolls of American glory. To- day, bending beneath the weight of years, they are finding their way to graves to which the children of future generations will come for inspiration to patriotism, to love and duty. (Applause). Such is the record of our fathers, but theirs was the work of rough hewing of the rock, ours the work of refining it ; and to- night their sons are an examplification of splendid opportunities, grasped by their fathers, developed by them. The sons of fathers such as ours have brought down with them into our age the ex- ample of duty well preformed, brought down with them the mission that was given them to stand not only for Church, but to stand for Home — that home the home of Americans — and to stand for the Flag which is emblematic of freedom. (Applause) You may talk about prosperity ; you may talk about the ad- vancement by the young men in every stage of life ; but the respect and the esteem with which men regard Judge O'Brien in our community to-day is but the respect and the esteem given to the man who grasps the opportunity that comes to ability, to the man who takes from his father the mission to perform that which he started out to do — a splendid example for the young men of any race or of any time. (Cries of "Bravo") A great deal has been said of the religious differences which made men suffer in these long gone days ; of the obstacles with which they had to encounter. We are looking back on the dark shadows of the past, but we are looking forward to the sunlit summits of the future, and we say to a man like Judge O'Brien, notwithstanding what our churches have done, notwithstanding what our schools have done, notwithstanding what the deep con- servatism of the Catholic Church has performed to blunt the edge of bigotry; the association of decent men with decent thoughts, with noble minds, business men associating with busi- ness men throughout our land, has done more to blunt the edge 35 of bigotry, and to make fellowmen out of our citizens, than all the "isms" and "ologies" that our schools ever taught (hear, hear) ; because we have arrived at that period of our existence when the pass word to manly society is not "What is your religion?" but "Are you a man?" ; and these are the principles for which the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick exist to-day. (Applause). Our society exemplifies more thoroughly than can any other American Society the true meaning of decent fellowship and true American citizenship. (Applause). Judge O'Brien's course has been one which reflects credit upon his fathers, upon the race from which he comes, upon the religion which he observes and upon the society of which he is a member. (Applause). As a member of the New York Bar, as a member of the Friendly Sons, as a son of an Irish father, as an American citizen, 1 am proud to greet Judge O'Brien to-night, and proud with the pride of my race to give him the greeting and the farewell of a parting guest ; and I say to him, without any desire to risk his friendship, but to get the endorsement of truthful men who know New York, that he is a member of a Bench in a Department in which there is nothing that is inferior to any other legal department of its kind in our legal system. (Applause). Throughout the world, wherever our system of law obtains, there is no department superior to the First Department of the State of New York. Its decisions are read side by side with decisions of Courts of Last Resort, and with those of the courts of Last Resort in England. No man upon its Bench has more the esteem of the members of the Bar and his fellow citizens than Judge O'Brien, (hear, hear), and whether here or away from us, he will continue, we know, to warrant our love and our esteem ; and as he has paraphrased the poet, so do we when we say to him : "Go where glory waits thee, but while fame elates thee We will still remember thee." (Prolonged applause). 36 The President introduced M. Warley Platzek as the last speaker of the evening. Mr. Platzek, who was warmly received, said: Mr. President and Gentlemen, the hour is late and so much has been truthfully said in praise of Judge O'Brien that it is difficult even to conjure what any human being can say further in his honor. There comes to my mind the utterance of an emi- nent public man, who, when he was called upon to speak in com- mendation of a most distinguished judicial predecessor, the great John Marshall, and who, like myself, was introduced without notice at the close of a banquet, said of Marshall : "Formed for all parts; in all alike to shine. In converse bright ; judicious in debate. In private amiable ; in public great. (Applause). I freely and cheerfully lay this laurel at the foot and fountain of wisdom of Judge Morgan J. O'Brien, for well and meritoriously does he deserve it to-day as in the early period of his life. (Applause) And now, lest it should appear on this auspicious occasion that there are none who love and admire Judge O'Brien, other than the members of this patriotic and magnificent organization, let me say that his friends are legion, embracing all nationalities and all faiths. Whether they be Irish, whether they be German, whether they be French, English, Italian or Dutch — no matter what their faith, their race or creed, they all have learned to respect and to admire the comprehensive liberality, broad-mindedness and sacred regard for the right of conscience, of the guest of to-night. (Applause). It is to me an immeasurable pleasure to be afforded the op- portunity, not to laud Judge O'Brien nor to flatter him, because 37 he who flatters him is not his friend, but to tell him, in this splendid presence, that no man has won or holds the hearts, the confidence and the admiration of the Bar, and especially of the junior members of the Bar, and so deservedly and so justly as Judge O'Brien. (Applause). He is yet among the junior mem- bers of the Bar. I can recall him in the very beginning of my own career. I doubt whether he is one year older than I am. I recall him at the Bar ; I recall his splendid record as Corporation Counsel ; his elevation to the Bench ; his illustrious record as a judge, as also his exceptional modesty on the Bench. He has never forgotten, nor does he forget to-day, that he once stood at the Bar, pleading for the justice he now administers, and that he was not always on the Bench. Every young man at the Bar, during the many years that he sat on the Bench, has gone before him confident of a patient hearing, confident that they would get the best thought of his mind, faithful in the opinion that he would decide as best he knew how— and I know that he always did. (Applause). I say to such men the Bar and the public owe a debt of gratitude, even greater and broader than this society can pay him. In conclusion I will say that I appreciate the com- pliment implied in being asked to say a few words here as a great honor. We have heard so much of Judge O'Brien's past; we have heard a great deal of his present status. May we not entertain a fond hope for his future? I believe that Judge O'Brien is only commencing to live now. Young, active, modest, full of ambition and health, I bespeak for him a career, honor- able and creditable in every way. (Applause). Ambition, of course, we all have, and some may say that when a lawyer at- tains the exalted position of a Supreme Court Justice he has obtained the highest place that one can hope for. If that be his ambition, let us retain him there so long as he will and even against his will,(applause), because we know whom we have— we know not whom we may get. Therefore I say, whenever there is heard a rumor of Judge O'Brien leaving the Bench, may there be 38 a very revolution of opposition of the men of the Bar and the people of this County, and that they insist, as they have fol- lowed him in placing him on the Bench, that he obey them and remain on the Bench. (Applause). One word more and I have done. We admire Judge O'Brien for his learning; we respect him for his honest opinions, for his able decisions ; but I think, all in all and over and above all, that we love him best as plain, honest, cordial, lovable Morgan J. O'Brien. (Loud and prolonged applause). After the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," in which all joined, the company dispersed. Reported and published by order of the Society, igoo. LIBRARY OF GUN Htbc