The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-10-22
Irish Catholic Benevolent Union.
Sixth ANSUA.Li.I CONVECTION.

Annual Convention OF the Irish Catholic Re
neYolent Union Of America commenced il
session here to-day.
St. Alphonsus hall, In which the couyeu
ton meets, Is respleudent with numerou.
decorations of eyergreeDs, flowers, flags ina
tIonai and foreign), banners of many of thu
Catholic societies of Baltimore, &c.
Most Of the delegates arrived here yester.
day, and were received by committees of the
Baltimore societies and escorted to their
various quarters, the Virginia delegates be-
ing quartered at the Eutaw House.
This morning at 10 O'Clock the delegates
in procession, accompanied by several Balti
more societies and also societies from Wash.
lngton and Georgetown Cd. c. and YORK
(Pa.(, with three bands of music, marched
from the place of meeting to the cathedral,
where mass was said by Rev. Father O'Con-
nor, of St. Peters church, Baltimore, Arch
bishop Bailey being in attendance within the
sacristy. At the conclusion of the mass
the Archbishop addressed the delegates.
In alluding to the organization OF the
Union he said that be had until recently sup
posed it was union of Catholic societies for
intercommunion and mutual benefit, but he
found that it was much more extensive.
having objects not only important to men,
bers, but to all. He warned them to be
careful, in establishing societies, to put
them on proper basis and make them self
insuring. Many societies in England and
other countries of similar character to those
of the Union bad become bankrupt for want
OF this proper basis OF organization. He
said they must also be careful of establish.
ing good traditions, avoid all side issues,
fix the objects in view, and remain faith
fdl to them. They must guard against at
tempting to do too much, for they might
burn their fingers. He could not give too
much praise to the objects Of the Union. He
was anxious that it should be perpetuated.
Not only were great advantages and bless.
iDgs to be derived from its chari.
table workings, but it would be the
means of exciting greater spirit OF
charity among Catholics generally. 1t was
evident that as Catholics they would have to
provide for their own poor people. They
must expect no assistance, under the present
condition of the Government, in protecting,
bringing up, or educating their poor chill.
dren. He would like to see more Of that
generous spirit of charity for which Catho.
lies are proverbial. Much has been done,
and it seems wonderful, but much more
could have been done. He was sure that all
that was given in charity does not amount
to one-tenth of the amount Of what is spent
in hurtful things. II this were saved there
would be plenty to carry out all that was
undertaken. Another reason Why he wished
the Union Godspeed was that it might keel
young men from forming secret associations.
There was no excuse for secresy under a re.
publican government, like ours. Communism
or internationalsm among our workingmen
was to be guarded against. 1t does not pro-
tect labor, and does more harm than good.
Carry out the principles Of Paris commun-
ism and anarchy, and terrible state of
afflirs would prevail, which would end in
utter misery and desolation. 1t was not only
spreading in England, France, Germany,
and other European countgsssp but also in
this country, and every goo alic was
bound to oppose it. The Archbishop con-
Guided by invoking the blessing of Divine
Providence on the deliberations of the
Union.
The line was then reformed, and the pro-
cession marched back to st. Alphonsus Hall,
where, at y O'Clock, the Convention was
called to order.
Mayor Vansant, of Baltimore, was then
introduced, and cordially welcomed the
delegates and rendered them the freedom of
the city. His remarks were eloquent in the
extreme, and were frequently interrupted
by rounds of applause.
Hon. A. NJ. Kelley, Of Richmond, presi-
dent of the Union, responded happily in
Of the courtesies extended.
The roll of societies was next called, and
a Committee on Credentials appointed;
after which recess until 3 O'Clock was or
dered.
MIR. John Lanpan, of Alexandria, was ap.
pointed member Of the Committee on Gre
dentials on the part of the Virginia societies.
Upon the rcassembling Of the Convention
committees on constitutional amendments
and on resolutions were appointed, MIR.
John O'Connor, of Portsmouth, being the
Virginia representative on the former, and
MIR. Francis J. Reilly, of Richmond, on the
latter.
The President read letter from the Pope
in response to one Of congratulation and
sympathy on the part Of the Convention
which was borne by the recent pilgrimage
TO Bone and Lourdes. His Holiness ac-
knowledged with grateful heart the homage
and kind expressions of the Union, and
asks the blessings of Providence on all con-
nected with it. He also read letter from
the Earl of Grqnard, president of the Catho-
lie Union of Ireland, conveying the warm
reciprocation of cordial greetings as ex.
pressed in a letter from the American Union,
in which the Union in Ireland had been in.
yited to send delegates to the Baltimore Con-
vention.
President Kelley prefaced the reading OF
these letters with few remarks of coDgratu-
lation upon the success attending the Union
and its fourishing condition. lie said that
tbirtv.fiye new societies had joined the Union
during the past year, making 260 societies
in all $4,000 had been distributed IN
honefts and that with over thirty societies
oehS>' -. nou, S1o5 o00 in