INCIDENT AT A SOUTH AFRICAN BANQUET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 102, 20 June 1911, Page 7

INCIDENT AT A SOUTH AFRICAN BANQUET.

At a St. Patrick’s Day banquet held at Capo Town, Souvi Africa, on l.ho 17th . March last, under tlic auspices of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Rev. J)r Coglan, in proposing the toast of “The Day We Celebrate,” made some remarkable statements. After observing "that Irish Roman Catholics loved their country because it had been so intimately associated with their faith, he said in the North oh Ireland there was a little spot inhabited by some whom he supposed they must call Irish,but who did nou love their country He meant the Orangemen. “They do not love their country, and all genuine Irish do love their country,” ho declared, anlidst applause. “And,” he continued, “because of that love ! they wish to see Ireland free. The Orangemen in the north do not love their country, and 'they do not wantuHomo Rule. We do. The only reason they give is that, the Catholics will lie in the majority, and will ..oppress them. I don’t believe they mean that as a* reason. There is t o truth in that. Irish Catholics have never persecuted for religions, purposes. They have boon persecuted'.for their religion, but. they ucytr, fetaliated. They 1 \vho know Ireland 1 'know that in the great majority of spots in Ireland which are Roman Catholic the Roman Catholics and the non-Roman Catholics live together in the greatest amity and the greatest peace. There is no such tiling as bigotry iu, the Roman Catholic parts, and no such thing as hatred in their religion. “It’s not because they are afraid' ; ol persecution that, tlio Orangemen don’t want' Home Rule,” said the speaker, “they arc afraid they won’t have the power to persecute others,*’ he added, amid applause. Dr Colgan went on to condemn “English misrule” 1 in Ireland, and was describing how Ireland had boon “reduced to starvation.” when he was interrupted by cries of “Toast! Toast!” “I am showinn how St. Patrick’s Day calls upon alf Irishmen to love their country,” protested the rev. gentleman. “Wo don’t want politics, we want the toast,” cried a voice heatedly. “The North ” began the proposer. “No, the toast,” shouted several voices. “I am on the toast,” declared the proposer. “No, sir,” denied a diner. “You are not the chairman,” challenged another. “The day wo celebrate,” again began the’Rev. Dr Colgan, when lies'was' again interrupted. “I must ask those gentlemen to keep order, please,” interposed the chairman, to the accompaniment ol ap-t plan so. The rev. gentleman was their allowed to conclude his remarks without further interruption.