The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-12-25

submitted and obtained by interviews
and correspondence, as the arbitrator Sc
lected' by your honorable committees, I
render the following decision:
!. The name by which the reunited
organization shall be known is THE An
Client Order of Hibernians," the words
Gin America" shall be added only to des-
ignate the country wherein the organiza-
ton is located.
2. The constitution in use previous to
disunion, and adopted at the national
convention held in Cleveland, O., May
16, 1884, shall be taken as the ground
work to which all necessary amendments
shall be made.
At tho national convention held by
virtue OF this decision amendments shall
be recommended bya committee of five
members, appointed by the permanent
chairman, and said amendments may be
adopted by the convention after they
shall have received the approval Of the
arbitrator.
8. The qualifications for membership
In the order are enumerated in Article 10
of the above mentioned constitution.
Among others the following will be
found: mo person shall become mem
Der of this order who is not Irish, or IF
Irish descent through either parent, etc.
This qualification has been the cause
OF much discussion in past years l am
satisfied lal hnt ITO
is necessary for the continuance, growth
and prosperity Of the organization in this
country. A more restrictive qualification
may, perhaps, be better in Europe; but
In America it would be suicidal, owing
to the frequent marriages of the Irish
and their descendants with other ma
tionalities.
1t has been asserted that this qualifica-
ton opens the way to Objectionable
membership. l do not concur in this
view. 1t is by vote that candidate is
received Or rejected, and as this is a
sufficient safeguard an additional means
need not be selected and one that will
lead, sooner or lat II, to the extinction Of
the order In America must be condemned
by every member who has the welfare of
the organization at heart.
Moreover as the Irish have always
been justly proud Of the part taken by
their heroic ancestors in the cause of
church and motherland during the dark
ages OF persecution, this organization
will only be true to its best traditions
when it cutivates and encourages the
patfotc pulsations OF every heart in
which circulatcs q single drop Of Irish
blood.
4. The quarterly communications
after the national convention, held in
accordance with this decision, shall be
manufactured and issued, subject to the
approval Of tho national chaplain, by
the chief executive officer Of the order i'm
America, until the European branches Of
uhe order shall have united and mem
Der OF the Irish hierarchy shall have
certified to the national chaplain That
the united body Is in harmony with the
teachings of the Catholic church. Then.
as provided for elsewhere in this de-
clsion. the question of receiving the
quarterly communications from Ell
rope may be considered.
You have come together like true and
honorable men, willing to make any
sacrifice for unity aud harmony; you
have resolved that all differences Shall
DO forgotten and you arc determined to
act for the best interests of your church.
your race and the general welfare Of
your organization Your brothers in Ell-
rope are equally magnanlmous, and will
no doubt. cheerfully follow your example
l suggest. therefore. that the new chief
executive officer elected at the national
convention. held by virtue of this de-
c1sion, communicate with the chief exc
cutlve officers Of the European branches
OF the order and advise them to unite nv
some such feasible means as you have
selected.
s. A bond of friendship, unity. and
christian charity shall exist between
the American and European bodies This
pond shall be the transfer card" from
either European branch, which shall no
duly honorct. as hereinafter provided
by the order In America.
6. The plan or reorganization. which
is hereto attached, is part OF this de-
olsion, and embraces all matters apper-
tanning to representation, conventions
credentials property transfer card. con-
stltution. ritual government of organi-
cation, ETC.
Allow me. gentlemen, in delivering
THIS decision to present my thanks for
the uniform courtesy shown me during
, these deliberations by yourselves and
other members Of both organizations
and express the hope that my labors
may rebound to the glory of holy
church. the best interests of America.
the welfare OF the Irish race, and ..rhe
Ancient Order Of Hibernians" through
out the world
JAMES A. McFAUL. (Arbitrator).
Bishop Of Trenton.
trenton, N. j., Dec. II, 1897.
The plan of reorganization mentioned
by the bishop as being attached is not
yet fully cOmnleted hr,os ,,,,..