Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-13

a spectacle for the world Of the power
| Of Gaelic endurance and the mighty
| strength that slumbers In organized man
| hood, when IL is flashed across the wires
that over 10000 men OF Irish blood. have
| decreed that their mother tongue shall
| live, and live, too, in their midst, a we'll
/ spring TO all time Of the hottest and
/ highest suggestions for mankind. 1t vii
| be told I'm the halls OF oxford and on
the banks Of the Seine, and among the
| thoughtful students of the German
Fatherland, 10 whom we owe an indelli-
BILE debt OF gratitude for their shelterns
care OF our dear old tongue. IL viii
be echoed In the distant Italy, and I'm the
Eternal City itself, that at last the chill
dren Of the Gael are rOusing themselves
from the long night OF slumber, and pre-
pairing for new and peaceful conquests
In all the provinces of thought, wherein
once before they were the schoOlmasters
Of the civilized world. But, above all,
will this noble act 10 told in every sweet
valley, and on every fair hill OF Holy
Ireland, and 1t will infuse fresh ardos
into the brave. hard battling people
and II will fiji them with fresh respect
for themselves and their cause. ami.
teach a monumental lesson of unity. and
make them feel as few other acts could,
that their brethren the wide world over
are In deepest sympathy with them. and
will cling, while blood flows and hearts
beat, 10 the spiritual Inheritance of the
Gael. his Christian faith. and his love
of learning, of which so much is i'm
bedded forever In his venerable ancient
tongue.
THE OFFICERS ELECTED.
The remaining important business Of
the convention was the election of OFF,
GERS. For most Of the Offices there were
contests. The following were elected:
p. J. OConnor. Savannah, Ca. national
president; John c. Weadock, Detroit
Mich, national vice-president: James
O'Sulivan, Philadelphia, Pa, national
secretary; T. j. Dundon. Columbus
o., national treasurer; NJ. f. VIII
here, Philadelphia, Pa; T. j. Ma
Norwich Conn, and NJ. j. Burns, In
dianapolis. Ind. national directors.
These gentlemen will, I feel assured,
fill the offices to which they were elected
with credit to themselves and the or
ganiZation.
MANY SOCIAL FEATURES.
The social features OF the convention
were In charge OF the Michigan brethren
ana tney nave every reason 10 ieel PROUD
of their record. At the Catholic Club a
reception was rendered the delegates by
Bishop Foley 1t was very largely at
tended, not only by the delegates. but
by the members OF the Ladies' Auxiliary,
whose presence lent charms 10 the re-
ception. The trip on the Detroit river
was delightful. The boat was crowded
with Hibernians and their ladies, and all
seemed TO enjoy thoroughly the beauty
OF the excursion. The great feature Of
the social functions was the banquet
given at the auditorium. 1t was a
splendid affair. AS one entered the great
hall the eye was at once fascinated by
the beauty of the decorations. All around
were drapcd the American and Irish flags
and from their folds electric lights in
varied colOrs flashed brilliantly. The
scene on the banquet moor was no less
inspiring. Sixteen hundred ladies and
gentleman sat down 10 the banquet.
have never been an advocate OF ladies at
panquets, but l confess the Detroit eX-
pertinent was successful In the highest
degree. The galleries all around the
hall were filled with Detroit residents.
and IL IS safe TO say that not less than
ten thousand people were present In the
auditorium. The musical programme and
the speeches made at the banquet were
OF the highest character. II was me-