The Irish standard., 1893-10-14
A Sketch of the A. O. H,

East Side.
| A Sketch of the A. O. H.
It Is timely to make some reference to
the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who
and what they are composed of, their
aims and objects, and the general good.
fellowship which distinguishes them 1t
is well-known fact that in Ireland or.
ders of chivalry existed long before the
birth of Christ. History treats Of Gao
hullain, the famous leader of Ouraidh
Ma g. Craoibh Ruadh, or the Knights OF
the Red Branch, immortalized py Moore;
Of Conall Ceacnach, another famous
leader and champion, and We might add
Gaisgidheach; of the Gomhanraidhe
pronounced Gowenree) of Irrius Dom
hnana under Oilild Finn Ard Righ, oil
Chief Monarch of Ireland, A. M. 4,405
Wide ANNALS Four Masters" the G..
Clanna Deagaidh, of West Munster, un
der their celebrated leader, Curoigh Mac
Daire, who was the most renowned war
rior Of his time, furnishing about A. M
$3.50. To these may be added Femme
Eireann or Finian Militia of the hi,
century, under the great Fionn Mac
Cumhaill pronounced McCool), Coll
Mac Norma, Conan, Maol, Caoilte Mac
Roman, Oisin, Oscar, Diarmard, O'Duib~
hne, and other heroes. Space prevents
us from making any further reference to
the past, to show how orders OF knight
hood and chivalry existed in the Green
Isle from the earliest ages.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was
first organized in Ireland when the iufa-
nous Penal Code was in operation, and
but little documentary evidence of it's
early history is obtainabls This is due
to several causes, chief among them be.
ing the danger at that time of carrying
any papers, the possession of which
would entail loss of life and liberty, and
also to the fact that education among
the Catholics was prescribed. 1t is a
well-known fact, however, that the pny-
pose that inspired it's founders was to
keep alive the spirit of Irish nationality,
and to protect the priesthood in the ex-
ercise of their sacred functions.
TO the average American who enjoys
liberty of action and thought in religion
and politics this will appear in xplicable,
but to the children of the scattered Clan
ma Gaodhal this condition of affairs is
familiar, for many a song and story has
the Seanchaidhe told concerning it.
In the dark days of Ireland's history.
when no Catholic church was allowed to
exist, and when price was placed upon
the head Of the Catholic priest or teacher,
the Ancient Order of Hibernians came to
the front to fight for faith and mother
land. Since that period the work of the
order has changed, and it's banner today
bears the message of unity, friendship
and true Christian charity to it's mem
bers and peace and good will TO all mon.
This is the doctrine taught by The A. 0.
Fl. the world over, and no true Hibernian
fosters any spirit OF prescription against
his neighbor, whatever his race or creed.
Its principles are fully in accord with
American institutions, and it's growth
and prosperity bear the stronqes teeti-
mony of it's great and noble work.
About sixty years ago the order was
transplanted to the United States, and
outside few large centres of Irish popu-
lation, as New York, Philadelphia, Bos-
ton, and few other cities, very little
was known of it for number of years.
Then when the Irish people began to
settle in other large cities and States,
the order took root and fourished among
them, until today it extends to every
State and Territory on this broad contin-
emit, as we'll as in the Dominion of Can
ada and Australasia.
Everywhere it went it carried with it
aid and comfort to the sick and HELPLESS
and hope and consolation to the widow
anu orphan.
With such mission to soothe the un-
hsppy, to relieve their miseries, to re-
store peace to their troubled minds and
also to elevate our people, it's pathway
should be easy and it's works should pro-
claim the great and noble purpose which
it aims to carry out. Yet it had it's
struggles and trials. It was misrepre-
sented and maligned; but many of those
who stood by it in it's darkest hour have
lived to witness it's vindication and tri-
umph. To speak of the good work which
the order has effected, both among it's
members and for the cause of the Old
Land, it's benevolent feature, ito care for
the sick and bury the dead, . the bond Of
brotherhood AMONG its members, the
friendship which always enduree and
has for its foundation the best impulses
Of the human heart, are matters too we'll
known 70 recapitulate.