The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-10-22
A.. o. H..
'.Friendship, Unity and True Christian
Charity"

The following communication appca,ed
in this mornings Union, and as it explains
the object of a most worthy organization
the Ancient Order of IIibcr nians--we
gladly grant the request of the writer,
and give it space:
Rock ISLAND, Oct. 90.
The Phpnicians are supposed to have
been the first to call Ireland "iIibernia. -
which accounts for the Irish race being
called Ilbernians, the same as America
and Americans, or Russia and Russians.
Since the commencement of the nine
tcenth century the Hibernians have mi :
grated to every civilized nation on the
globe, America getting the largest share,
| although Canada, Australia and New
Zealand, as well as England aud Scots
land, have received very large number
| In the course of time, after settling in
| their new homes, they wrote back to Hi
hernia, where this organization has eX-
sted for centuries, for privileges to start
branches Of the order. But, l think, it
was in 1868 that the state of New York
| applied and organized II branch in this
| country and received a charter. 1t is not
| a locai,a state, or a national organization,
1t has found its way to every county in
the world where dozen of lrishmen can
be brought together, and is perhaps the
strongest society in existence, each
country, of course, recognizing ancient
Hibernia as headquarters, Hence the
name, "Anccnt Order of lIibernans.
There have been several attempts made
during the last twenty years to destroy
the parent branch but they were not sues
cessful. 1t is thought by the oldest and
best men on both sides of the water, even
if they could change the headquarters of
The order, that it would not be for its
best interest as INSCRIPTIONS tricksters
would drag it into politics and would
destroy it in few years. But it is i'm
possible. No power on earth could
change it without the parent branch be
coming extinct, and thenit would not be
the Ancient Order Of Hibernians' any
longer. 1t would be called the American
order, or the Canadian order or after
| whatever country its chief officer or the
board of directors would reside But as
| they reside in Old Elm, and the society
all over the world is so prosper
Gus that it numbered several
millions is 1884 under its management
how ridiculous of any people to try to
covet that name without consent. This
order it purely benevolent society 1t
paws So per week to its sick members,
| 81 900 on the death of member, to his
wife and children or nearest relative, and
| there is only fifty cents assessment on
each death. 1t is the cheapest and best
| insurance in the United States. The
motto of the order is Friendship, Unity
and True Christian Charity. Friend
| ship in assisting each other to the
! best in their power; Unity in uniting to-
gether for mutual support in sickness and
distress; tue Christian charity, by doing to
each other and all the world as they
| would wish sh ould be done unto them.
| All applicants must be Irish, or of Irish
| descent and practical Catholics of good
moral character and to send in with their
application SO AS an initiation fee which
will be returned if not accepted. The di>
vision in Rock Island county has pros.
pered beyond expectation for the
last six months. They are in good
standing with the state board in Chi
ago, the Chicago board with the national
board in New York and the New York
board with the parent board n Ireland;
and Ireland sends communications to
every country where the crder exists
The Rock Island division was organized
three years last August. Somehow it did
not make much progress until about six
months ago. but now it has close on to
fifty members in good standing, most all
fine young men, They are going TO or>
ganize company of the fIibernian Rifles,
which have the reputation of being the
finest and best drilled military companies
in the Eastern cities. We are also going
to have our second annual bali next Fri
day evening, Oct 90. at Armory Hall.
which will say, without fear of contra
diction, will be the most successful ball
held in Rock Island for many years.
Good times and satisfaction is warranted,
as no drunken persons or rough charac,
tiers will be allowed to enter All the
IIibernians in Rock Island. Moline and
Davenport are respectfully invited TO at
tended with their families. "Cead Mealla
Fcatha" for all The society appreciates
the kindness of the Union IN publishing
this letter and would feel very thankful
to the ARGUS and Rock Islander if they
copied it, Yours respectfully.
JNo. w. ROCHE