The Irish standard., 1886-05-01

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who endeavored to bring any reproach
upon an Irishnlan because OF his origin.
The good results OF such modifying
power among the Irish was soon made
apparent on every side. Race and class
distinction has long since almost en-
tirely ceased, while Irish Indignation
towards system OF government which
made such despicable state OF things
possible has been preserved and to-day
finds it's expression in the American
contingent Of means and moral support
to Charles Stewart Parnell, the Irish
champion of liberty. My friends, the
progress Of the Order in the more ma
terial sense, shall sum up very briefly
New York City was the headquarters of
the Order, and the place of holding the
annual conventions until 1878, in which
year the convention was held in Boston,
in 1879 in Cincinnati, 1880 in Philadel-
phia, 1881 in ST. Louis, 1882 in Chic
age, at which convention the holding Of
conventions was thereafter made bienn-
ial, the next being held in Cleveland
and finally as 80 Westwarl-ho!" is the
watchWord. we shall have national
convention in st. Paul on May 11th,
prox. At the last convention held at
Cleveland the membership was a little
over 50, 900, being an increase of 10000
in two years. III the State of Minneso-
Ia, the increase in membership since
1884, has been about400 members, from
this increase, minnesota being among
| the lowest of the States in membership
you can form some idea of what the in
crease in membership throughout the
United States may be shown to be at the
coming convention. I do not doubt
that the A. O. H., in the United States
now comprises 100000 members. The
first beginnings Of the Order in this
State were in Minneapolis in Novem
ber, 1879, when Michael Mogan, Esq, a
member OF Division No. 1. Of this city,
who is we'll and fayorably known here:
organized Division No. J., being spec
tally commissioned by the National
Delegate for that purpose, and thereaf-
ter assisted in organizing other divis-
ions throughout the State. At present
there are divisions i'll Minneapolis, St.
Paul. Saltwater, Duluth. Winona, Fer
gus Falls, st. Cloud, st. Vincent, Nor
ris, Anoka, Albert Lea, Graceville,
Tower and Clontarf. The state officers
are: j. j. Kennedy, Esq, of St. Paul,
state delegate; William Reece, Esq, Of
Minneapolis, state secretary, and w.
M. Murray, Esq.,, of Saltwater, state
treasurer. I could weary you with sta
tistics showing the material benefits eX-
tended to the sick. suffering and needy
throug all these years since 1S49, but
I will rather leave my remarks imper-
feet in this than tax your patience.
Suffice it to say that as the objects of
the Order are becoming better known
and understood by the Catholic clergy
and laity of the United States isolated
instances Of opposition by bishops and
pastors are seldom heard of, and only
then because Of some minor question Of
discipline, which is no longer a Stun
bling block to the Cathollcity of the en-
lightened Hibernian Of to-day. While
no organization has done more to Guilt
vate the natural love of the Irish for
their mother country, no organization
has done more to honor the Stars and
Stripes and impress upon Irishmer the
glories of free country and the duties
OF American citizenship. No Irishmen
because of his brotherhood in an Order
composed exclusively of Irishmen, feels
any more patriotism for the old land
than is consistent with his allegiance to
the United States, nor is he impelled to
feel any more than q just pride in his
nationality. The material charity
which it becomes his duty to practice
towards his fellow members, excites in
him a greater charity for his brethren
Of every nationality. There are, perhaps,
few organizations Of men in the world
which so crafty the tendency of man
kind for close and permanent socia-
bility with their fellows as does the A.
O. FL. That the Order has not been
more directly under the patronage and
protection of the Church, is no i'm
peachment of its objects and aims. Or
CARNATIONS as we'll as men differ in the
outward show, while alike retaining
the true spirit of obedience, and [ doubt
not that if the time should come when
the Church would desire closer affilia-
ton OF the Order for the good of its
members as Catholic Christians, the or
der will not hesitate to give further as
surance OF its friendship, unity and
charity.