WORDS TO LIVE BY: St. Patrick’s Day

As the world turns to another St. Patrick’s Day, we are reminded of President Reagan’s love for the holiday, and love of laughter. President Reagan’s joke file got a workout during St. Paddy’s day festivities. One of his favorites was about an Irishman who collects a large insurance settlement after an auto accident by pretending that his injuries have put him in a wheelchair for life. When representatives of the insurance company warned him that he will be pursued by them the rest of his life until they establish the fallacy of his claims, he responds by telling them that “they will be following him to the Catholic religious shrine of Lourdes and there you’re going to see the greatest miracle you’ve ever seen in your life.” Reporters groaned after they had heard this story for the umpteenth time.

In this article, we’re showcasing how President Reagan used humor and Irish wit to build relationships, defuse anger and reach across the aisle… consistently. We know how he fought with Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, and we also know how hard he worked to build a relationship with his political foe whom he considered a…friend and colleague. You’ll hear him say that we live “a country which permits two not-so-shy and not-so-retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues rather than on each other or their countrymen.” A lesson our current politicians seem to have missed.

Let’s go back 38 years with a 1986 toast to Tip O’Neill on…of course. St. Patrick’s Day. And when you see him say, “Mr. Prime Minster”, he’s referring to Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald of Ireland who was in attendance.

“Reverend clergy, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, I want to begin tonight by saying how touched I am to know that Tip wanted me here this evening. [Laughter] Why, he even called me himself last week and said, “Mr. President, make sure you don’t miss the dinner Tuesday night.” [Laughter] But to be honest, I’ve always known that Tip was behind me -- [laughter] -- even if it was only at the State of the Union Address. As I made each proposal, I could hear Tip whispering to George Bush, “Forget it. No way. Fat chance.” [Laughter] I think it was inevitable, though, that there’d be a standoff between us. Imagine one Irishman trying to corner another Irishman in the Oval Office. [Laughter] But despite all this, Tip wanted me here. He said that since it was March 17th, it was only fitting that someone drop by who actually had known St. Patrick. [Laughter] And that’s true, Tip. I did know St. Patrick. In fact, we both changed to the same political party at about the same time. [Laughter]

“Now, it’s true that Tip and I have our political disagreements. Sure, I said some things about Tip, and Tip said some things about me. But that’s all history. And anyway, you know how it is, I forget. [Laughter] I just follow that old motto, “Forgive and forget.” Or is it, “Forget and forgive”? [Laughter]

“Ladies and gentlemen, I think you know Tip and I’ve been kidding each other for some time now. And I hope you also know how much I hope this continues for many years to come. A little kidding is, after all, a sign of affection, the sort of things that friends do to each other. And, Mr. Speaker, I’m grateful you have permitted me in the past, and I hope in the future, that singular honor, the honor of calling you my friend. I think the fact of our friendship is testimony to the political system that we’re part of and the country we live in, a country which permits two not-so-shy and not-so-retiring Irishmen to have it out on the issues rather than on each other or their countrymen.

“But in addition to celebrating a country and a personal friendship, I wanted to come here tonight to join you in saluting Tip O’Neill, to salute him for the years of dedication and devotion to country. Tip’s recollections of politics go back, of course, far beyond my own. [Laughter] He’s seen some who play the game well and others who do not. He’s seen some who love politics and some who came to it only out of a sense of duty. But through it all, Tip has been a vital and forceful part of America’s political tradition, a tradition that he has truly enriched.

“Yet Tip O’Neill represents far more than just this political tradition. Deep within, too, is the memory of places like Back Bay and South Boston, the docks, the piers, those who came off the ships in Boston Harbor seeking a better land, a better way for their children. And they found that something better. They rose above the prejudice and the hardship. Tip would see one of his contemporaries become President. John F. Kennedy would be 68 today had he lived. And Tip can remember those golden hours better than most in this room. And, then, not too many years later, there was another of immigrant stock who would become Speaker of the House. In so short a time, so much leadership from one city, one place, one people. How fitting that Boston College, a place that became to so many of those new arrivals a symbol of moving upward and onward; how fitting that Boston College, whose towers on the heights have reached to heaven’s own blue for so many, should sponsor this salute to Tip O’Neill.

“Tip, you are a true son of Boston College and our friend, and we salute you. You are also a leader of the Nation, and for that we honor you. But you also embody so much of what this Nation is all about, the hope that is America. So, you make us proud as well, my friend; you make us proud.

Thank you. God bless you all.”

Garry Wills, an American journalist, said that Ronald Reagan possessed “a stealth charm, even for his critics. He flew under our radar.” This talented Irishman, according to Wills, possessed “self-assurance without a hectoring dogmatism, pride without arrogance, humility without creepiness, ambition without ruthlessness, accommodation without mushiness. How can you beat that?” Well, most people couldn’t ….so let’s hear more from our 40th President. 37 years ago, in 1987, Ronald Reagan delivered a toast at a St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon in honor of Prime Minster Charles Haughey.

“Speaker Wright, distinguished Members of the House and Senate, honored guests, it’s a pleasure for me to be with you sharing in the spirit of this magnificent day. And talk about the luck of the Irish, I got over that case of the laryngitis that was plaguing me last week just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. [Laughter] Looking around this room -- especially when I see my old friend, Tip O’Neill -- I can’t help but feel that we’re living testimony to the notion that Irishmen love a good scrap. Some of us have been in a few of them in our day, and before we leave Washington, I’m certain we’ll be in a few more.

“I remember my dear father once told me of a fella who walked into a saloon, pounded on the bar, and said in a loud voice, “Show me an Irishman, and I’ll show you a wimp.” And about a 6\1/2\-foot Irishman stepped forward, rolling up his shirt sleeves as he did so, and said, “I’m Irish.” The fella said, “Well, I’m a wimp.” [Laughter]

“Ah, yes, today everyone wants to be Irish. It’s gratifying to find that so many of our friends and colleagues are Irish -- at least for the day. There’s Sean Byrd, Shamus Wright -- [laughter] -- and, of course, Paddy O’Dole. [Laughter] Today is a day for good fun and infectious happiness for all Irishmen. I should know -- I’ve been Irish longer than almost all of you. But not all Irishmen are as witty as we would like to think. You know, there’s the story of an Irishman who was walking down the road. He had a great sack tied over his shoulders. And a wise fellow along the road says, “If I can guess how many potatoes you have in that sack, can I have one?” And the Irishman replied, “If you can guess how many potatoes are in the sack, you can have both of ‘em.” [Laughter]

“Seriously though, America’s been blessed by her Irish children. One arrival earlier in this century -- and I like to tell about it -- it was his first day in New York and -- a young fellow -- and he started out across Broadway against the light. And a New York cop grabbed him and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” Well, he said he was simply trying to get to the other side of the street. But when that New York cop heard that brogue, he warmed right up and he said, “Well now, lad,” he said, “come back here. You stay right here.” He says, “When that light turns green,” he says, “that’s for you to go to the other side of the street.” So, he stood there waiting for the light to turn green. The light turned orange for a few seconds, as they do, and then turned green. He started out. He got about 10 or 12 feet out, turned back to the cop, and he said, “They don’t give them damn Protestants much time, do they?” [Laughter]

“Throughout our history, Americans of Irish descent have played such a role. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Boston was recorded as far back as 1737. It’s interesting to note that during the American Revolution, it was on St. Patrick’s Day, 1776, when the British ended their occupation of Boston and evacuated the city. One can only wonder if it was the American cannons on Dorchester Heights or the thought of spending -- enduring -- another St. Patrick’s Day celebration that demoralized them so. [Laughter] But seriously though, we Americans of Irish descent can be proud of the part our ancestors played in building this great country, even from its earliest days. Ben Franklin may have been the first to note the Irish influence. In 1784 he wrote, “It is a fact that the Irish immigrants and their children are now in possession of the government in Pennsylvania, by their majority in the Assembly as well as of a great part of the territory; and I remember well the first ship that brought any of them over.” Benjamin Franklin said that. One wonders what old Ben would say if he were to be with us at this gathering today. Knowing that he was a man who loved a good time, I’m certain that he’d put on a shamrock and call himself Benjamin O’Franklin just for the occasion.

“Our forefathers and mothers were people with a passion for liberty and justice. So, today let us remember them and live up to the great expectations they had for us and for this beloved country of ours. I came across something that is labeled as an old Irish curse or blessing: “May those who love us, love us. And those that don’t love us, may the Lord turn their hearts. And if the Lord doesn’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so that we’ll recognize them by their limping.” [Laughter]

Well, it’s my privilege, if you will allow me -- and please do this in the Philadelphia style, which is that you only rise to toast the dead. I’m still worried about your rising a moment ago. [Laughter] But to our guest, the Prime Minister of Ireland.

“Thank you all. God bless you.”

From all of us at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, we wish you a most splendid St. Patrick’s Day.

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