Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-13
ADDRESS OF VIM. KILGoUR, ESQ The

-ADbnEoo VI w VI. TAlLdOUh, ESQ. ne
following is the address of Mr.. William Kill
gour, Of this city, President of the Catholic
Benevolent Union Of Virginia, at The opening
Of The Convention of that organizations i. Nor
tolk, 20 "Wednesday last.
Gentlemen ofhe Convention Ouce Ii ore it
is my prlvll, &c and pleasure TO welcome the
Catholic Benevolent Uaiou OF VlrsiLia in Con.
ventiun. and, i'll so doing, permit me to extend
to you congratulations upon the happy aus.
pcrs urder which We are assembled
Since last had the honor Of sharing 10
your deliberations a period has interviewed
marked by those vicissirudes that attend upon
the affairs OF life, aud has ushered upon us i
DIV year Of labor, of love and Of hope
Anlds' the misfnrtunes which have follow,
material enterprise and almost paralyzed the
eUergles OF u people, an institution we have
here founded, whose only basis is faith, whose
Inspiration hope, and wpsc merchandise chart
ty towards our fellow uIan, has survived pros
porous and prospecting, evinring tn: elasticity,
power and Impetus ola great work, Which,
once begun, goes forward aud onward to prs
ent aud permanent success.
At other tins, and under similar circun-
Stances have had occasion TO give freedom
tn such sen imenrs of devotion aud admiration
for the cause in whose behalf We are assem-
bled to-day will prevent their present rrpe-
titiun.
Iu laying aside the 1uies Of the clair, to
which, tor The past years, II has been your
pleasure TO invite me, | canuot refraiu from
Looking back ward to that period when the
Catholic Benevoen, Union of Virginia first
gave its energies in united effort in alienation
Of humau suffering and in the preservation OF
religious faith.
Il was then, as your presiding officer, natu
the result of au enterprise just started, with
the dark, mysterious future lying yelled be-
fore us, with its legion Of doubts, mlsgIvIDgs
aud fears. But my faith 10 ultimate triumph
never abandoned NE, and now, IN the full
limuuies to the world, that the spirit which
animated US in the days Of its origin has lived
to demonstrate that our Institution is no vision
OF an enthusiast, DO empty dream, but modern
Pharos founded upon rock. The poor mari
ner tossed upon the billows of life catches its
CLEANS amid the darkness Of the storm and the
bowling OF the tempest, and nerves anew his
arm for the struggle.
Every year 6nds you deepening your iounda-
ton, extending your li,uu, opeLing up n'w
fields of love aud of mercy. Every year brings
gratifying Intelligence of your Increase in nun.
brrs aud in strength. Every year comes laden
will the choice fruits Of your labors.
With an usIl 'u:iou then like this, looming
up in the midst of u progressive age, whose
objects appeal to the nUbeSt sentiments OF
mankind, let u like faithful sentues be watch
full ut its preservation. let us see that 1t Is not
perverted to the advancement OF selfish Inter
csts. nor prostltutcd IN the accom- lshment OF
base and ignoble motives; let us sacredly
guard It's y rtas less the shafts OF dscordaut
cemeuis ~, er, aud thus mar The beauty OF It's
harmony uui simplicity. Lett u, make wrea
Of those beautiful flowers faith hope aud
charity. which adoro its inner walls and cluster
gracefully around it's gilded cross and along its
archcd parapets and bind them at the altar
where We worship, and at our fresides flowers
whose fragrance will lull, warm and gladden.
every heart, and whose mystic Voice, blushlng
iuto tyyes of living beauty, will become the
harmouics of our hamlets, and whose roseate
bloom the pride of every household.
would not have you believe, gentlemen,
that | entertain any gloomy torrbodiOgs OF the
future. do not doubt for moment but that
you will guard with fidelity your noble work,
and watch with zea lous eyes It's grand msson
but in your great z"al you may grow negligent,
or bccume indifferent to the whisperlnps OF
caution and prudence. You may undertake to
introduce and legisate upon matters exlrane.
Gus to aud not anticipated within the lcgll.
mate range ut your organic law; this Is ynur
great dangcr-lt is The ScyIla aud Charrybds
where many a similar institution has been
driven into ATOMS and their rich argosles lost
teneaIh the waves cugundcrcd by strife aud
discard
I u,, gal TI md
in the pruce ediogS Of our late Convention OF the
Irish Catholic Benevolent Union of the UDted
States, held 10 the city of 81. Louis in October
last, matter Was Introduced not warranted
ID spirit nor iu letter by the Constitution Of
that body, which has already been productive
If Il vast amount Of barn, and, much fear,
hat unless it be cautiously and delicatcly
handled in the future, will retaid The harmony
and growth of budy whose early daWl was 20
redolent with promise.
II you be cautious and prudent in your de-
alterations and be gui Led by the spirit aud let:
ter of your written law, the danger to which
have ALLUDED can be avoided, as we'll as the
error iuto which the Irish Catholic Benevolent
Union has, thuk, unfortunately drlted.
Gentlemen OF the Convention. Among the
beautiful temples of ancient Rome was one
dedicated to the honor of the Goddess Vcsta.
la one hand she held lamp that had burned
for ages, at her shriue the faircst and ovellest
virgins of he Imperial City minlstered. Thy
never allowed the lamp to burn dlmly or the
fires upon the affairs TO Wanc 30 WIN uS
Let the fires upon our affairs be kept burning by
day and night, preserve their vlg1r and bril-
ljnrcv in mipiSratious Of love to the poor and
unfortunate who have fallen by the w'y-sIdc
il will brighten our hope III prosperity II W IL
be a sweet soace in the hour OF adversely.
Y, ur former conventions have been marked
by dlgnified courtesy, manly bearing and Pr
ient discussion, and If the past be any cri-
tcrion FROM which TO iorm an opinion, | pre-
dict pleasant aud profitable s,sslon.
A weIl.known law firm in Richmond has IN
hand suit for the recovery OF property 10 the