The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-23

GOLQNEL 4AOMAH H. w E6lGA4
TIE Puritans and the Dutch had their
historical associations, and Colonel
Wright thought that the Ulster men,
who swarned into the American colonies
in great numbers just previous to the
Revolution and who helped to throw OF
the yoke Of King George, should have
their deeds recorded also. In 1889 a call
was issued for a meeting which was
held at Columbia, Tenn. Here the soci-
ETY. was organized, and Robert Bonner,
the well known publisher. was chosen
president and has held the Office ever
since
From a small beginning the associa-
ton has grown to be one of great promi-
hence and numbers on it's rolls some of
the most distinguished men IN the coun-
try. Each succeeding congress has been
better attended and more interesting
than its predecessor The objects Of the
association are purely historical and So
cial 1t is a nOnsectarian and nonpoliti-
cal body, and the one requisite for mem
bership is the possession Of Seotch-Ir1sh
blood.
The work of collecting historical facts
about the race has been done with ell
thusiasm and care, and the results have
been surprising, even to the Scotch
Irish themselves. No less than nine
presidents Of the United States have
come Of this stock and a long list Of
distinguished names has been added
to the honor roll of the association.
Some Of the prominent members of the
society today are Vice President Steven
son, Governor Mckinley, General An
son c. McCook, Secretary of the
Navy Herbert, Ex-Governor Campbell,
dozen senators and as many governors
and ex-gOvernors.
At each congress papers Of histOr-
ical character are read and speeches Of
a like nature delivered. These are often
interesting and valuable They are pre-
served in the records of the association
and published in pamphlet or book form
for distribution among the members At
the coming congress addresses viii be
delivered by Governor Hastings Of
Pennsylvania, who viii welcome the
delegates to the city and entertain them
at the executive mansion; by Colonel
William H Hunter of 5teubenviue,
O., on 1.-The Great American Scotch
Irish Journalists" by Dr. William H
Egle, state librarian of Pennsylvania
and historian of the association, on
Landmarks Of Early Scotch-Irish Set
tle1Aents In Pennsylvania; by John
It. Meginnes, historian Of the west
branch on ''The Sc0tch-Irish Of the
Upper Susquehanna; :" by Robert. Nc
1Ieen, on ''The Scotch-Irish Of the Ju-
niata Valley, " and by Rev. DR.. Nor
cross Of Carlisle on 1.-THE Scotch Irish
and Their Influence Ia the Cum berIand
Valley. Several college presidents
viii also read papers on subjects of in
terest to the race, and Colonel Wright
who viii be present, viii be called up
on to tell again something about the
history of the organization
Dr. Macintosh Of Philadelphia, who
has written some very instructive arti-
cles about the characteristics of the
Scotch Irish race, tells how, in some Of
the more unchanged parts of counties
Antrim and Down the country folk viii
to this day proudly assert, We're no
Eerish bot Seoatch- %
f'Our American term, the Scotch
Irish, % he says, is not known even in
Ulster save by the very few who have
learned the ways Of our common speech.
The term by which he is known in Brit
ain is the FISHERMAN, and IN Ireland
it is the sturdy northern, or at times
the black northern There is a Pc
euliarity in the patriotism Of the Scotch
Als4 Inns llIA IS ms only True lana
and his one country. He lost his father
land in Scotland; Ireland was not al
lowed to become a motherland to him,
and so his great, strong heart has given
itself up almost without a memory to
these western shores with a fierce, fond
JOY"
Besides the regular sessions at the
Harrisburg congress there viii be many
social features connected with the gath
ering. There viii be a picnic ia the
grove at Pa1tang church, which was
erected 40 years ago by the So0tch-Irish
Covenauters- The programme also in
clHdes an excursion TO the battlefield Of
Gettysburg. JOHN =. WuLoUeEBE.