The Irish standard., 1894-05-19
SATURDAY, MAY 10. 1894.
HIBERNIAN CONVENTION.

EIIBERNIAN CONVENTION,
Ia to.day's issue OF The IRISH STAND
ARD We present Al interesting report Of
the transactions of the Ancient Order OF
Hibernians, which assembled last week
in regular biennial convention at Omaha
1t will he seen after perusal of the pro
csedinge that it was q Representa- tive
Catholic organization Of benevolent
character whose chief object is to keep
alive the spirit of Irish nationality.
Many of it's members are leading men in
the communities in which they live, and
have been elevated to positions OF honor
aud trust in recognition Of their merit as
American citizens, ana yet the order is
strictly non~political and prohibits it's
officers and members from using it's
name for political effect. AT the con
verjion of last week the chief executive
c,f the order in Nebraska was censured
Tor violating the constitution by issuing
a political circular in his official capac-
ity. That fact amply demonstrates that
The organization is traduced and vilifed
when it's enemies accuse it of being a pc.
Etical conspiracy for the overthrow Of
our republican institutions.
The order is rapidly growing in inf1u-
enca and prestige, and it's benevolence,
philanthropy and patriotism are recog-
uized by the church. T For a time some
bishops looked upon it s,aepl cioaaely, be-
cause they misunderstood it's objects,
but now they know it's noble aims end
give itItheir endorsement and benedic-
sion, Bishop Scannell, of Omaha, has
the distinguished honor of beng the first
Catholic prelate who joined it in ma
tional convention, Many priests have
their names on it's roll of membership
aud are officers of the organization, and
that being the case 10 laynan should
have The least hesitancy in joining it.
The Ancient Order OF Hibernians dur
ing the past fifteen years has given
abundant evidence of it's sympathy with
she aspirati MS OF the Irish people for
local self government, aud now it is
awakening lively interest in the Guilt
walton of the Irish language and aitera~
ture by endowing Celtic chair in the
Catholic University at Washington. DR..
Shahan, of that famous institution, at
teaded the convention and thanked the
Hibernians for the muniicent donation
of $4,000 to have the language of Ire
land taught on the banks of the Poto-
mGc.
1t was scarcely necessary for these law
abiding Hibernians to notice the ssper"
sions cast upon them by Orange fanatics
falsely calling themselves ''loyal Ameri~
cans" but they deemed it opportune TO
pay their respects to the pseudo patriots
in very plain diction. Judge Wilhere
rapped them over the knuckles in vigor-
GUS style, and Congressman Weadock, of
Michigan, fred some hot shot into the
secret camps of the enemy. The former
urged the members of the order to be
good and loyal citizens in the future as
in the past, and recommended that they
place American flags over the Catholic
schools in their various communities to
illustrate their love and allegiance to the
stars and stripes.
The people of Omaha Hospitality en-
tertained the delegates and realized that
they were true Americans who could be
loyal citizens OF the republic while adj
yancing the interests of the race from
which they sprung. The press of the city
recognized their worth and reported
their proceedings at great length. They
accomplished good work, and the order
to-day is better understood and more
popular than at any period in it's history.