Michelle E. Sepulveda
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On April 17, 1842, the Hibernian society made their first appearance publicly after the death of President Harrison. In December of the same year they met and planned for their first parade in honor of St. Patrick. It would include a special mass to be held at Christ's church, which was located at Davenport Avenue and York streets. A special oration was also planned for the afternoon. William Erigena Robinson was asked to give the oration. A special banner was commissioned from John L Mitchell. The parade was a success and was well received by the city newspapers. They extolled the mannerly order of the procession and spoke highly of the Irish amid speculation that they were loud, raucous, and unorderly. The Palladium noted, "Those jealous persons who have been taught to associate Irish character naught but the elements of ignorance and vice, would have looked in vain in their sedate procession for any marks other than belonging to well ordered and respectable citizens; and could each heart have been seen, we doubt not that it thrilled as patriotically for the land of its adoption, as it wept fervently for the sorrows of its own beloved 'isle of the ocean'.
"1843 was the only year within the time of a century and a half that the parade was canceled, rescheduled, and canceled again because of inclement weather".3 Two huge snowstorms prevented the celebration of St. Patrick from getting underway. This is an excellent record considering the weather if often tough during the parades. The date has never been changed because it is the anniversary of Patrick's death. New Haven observers actuallycelebrate and hold their parade one week earlier now so they can participate in a larger parade in New York.
The festivities have been more than a showcase of ethnic pride and support for a hero. The parade has often served as a platform to express sorrow for Ireland, it's people, and hope for peace on the emerald isle. Army heroes have been showered with praise and affection when marching. And Army recruiting has been known to manifest itself at the highly charged orations. "The Irish benefited psychologically from seeing some of their own people rise to power and affluence in a hostile society. They also benefited by seeing Ireland's green flag hoisted above city hall on St. Patrick's Day, at a time when the same flag could not be raised in British ruled Ireland.
The parade has expanded through the years but has always held the mission of celebrating Irish culture and pride as well as presenting Irish leaders and heroes to the masses of Irish Americans. A certain pride has also arisen in the country from which the immigrants came and the culture they left behind. When the resurgence of Gaelic history, language, and music began, the parade served as a platform as well. Banners with Gaelic symbols are carried and music and song embellish the procession. At the famous brunches, oratories, and dinners, guests are invited from Ireland as well as the Irish Americans of affluence and often they speak in the Gaelic tongue.
War and battle among the Irish and the British as well as duty served in America have also had representation in the parades. The Fenian Brotherhood, a group who unsuccessfully planned to overthrow the Canadian Government, marched through the New Haven streets amid glorious cries of support and even managed to recruit members into their organization.
During the Boer War, A lot of Americans sympathized with the South African victims of British imperialism. Irish Americans found the war provided an outlet to vent their hatred and hostility for Britain. Irishmen carried the Boer flag alongside their flag of Ireland in parades from coast to coast. Their actions served to collect funds for the boers and to ignite their fellow countrymen in outrage to Britains efforts to control others as they had long done to Ireland.
During the civil war, parades were held in New Haven, other large towns, and recruits held their own observances if they were unable to participate in their newly adopted hometowns.Office holders and political aspiring people realized the parade was an event to participate in to gain political clout and constituents. Many joined the procession whether they were Irish or not, to show their support for their Irish brothers and to gain support from them. Today you will see the governor, mayor, representatives and senators walking the downtown streets of New haven along with other Irish organizations. Some have endearing places among the Irish like Bruce Morrison who helped bring about the great lottery of the 1980's which helped some Irishmen and their families to immigrate to New Haven and other cities in Connecticut when illegal immigrants from Ireland were coming in large numbers and about to be deported.
The parade and its activities have also let women be more vocal about women's liberation issues. The infamous St. Patrick's dinner which can be attended by men only, was demonstrated against for a number of years.
Eventually pressure from demonstrators led political leaders to stop attending for fear they would lose votes. Some would not march with more boisterous men who would not concede to the women. And eventually they put a woman in the parade as grand marshall although no women were invited to the dinner. Pressure finally beat out stubbornness and women were not banned from the dinner although many Irishwomen would not go out of respect and a mutual understanding that has persisted.
Some people have looked at the growing parade and its activities with disdain and would rather see the money used to finance it go to better use, but most see the parade as an outlet to of importance. According to Carl Wittke, "the majority of Irish Americans, including many of the clergy, regard the day as important for the perpetuation of the cult of remembrance for the land of their origin".