The Irish standard., 1897-02-13
Ancient Order of fiibernlans.


Augustine Murphy, Sr., of Duluth,
now in Cork, Ireland, has the following
| in recent issue OF the Cork Examiner
concerning the A. O. H.:
Sir: As an old member OF the above
Order, will you let NE say few words
about its workings. in the cause OF Ire
t land, and how it raised fifty thousand
dollars for the Catholic University OF
America to endow that institute with an
Irish Language and Literature Chair,
and at time when Ireland was torn to
fragments by division and faction, which
made it uphill work, Of course, Tor this
great splendid idea to perpetuate the
language and history of Ireland in the
land of their adoption. and for which the
cl1idren's children of the Irish race all
over the world pray for them. Oh! what
contrast to what was taking place i'll
Ireland at that time. When the old
enemy forced to the ground OF the one
| knee they turned the scourge on one an
other, to the eternal disgrace Of Irish
men. This grand organization which was
hard at work holding meetings for each
division was asked to take vote OF its
members before the matter was finally
taken up, as some said it was large sum
to tax the members with, as many of
them were men of small means and be-
flonged to other societies, and to which
they had to pay. Some thought that sttb-
scriptions should be asked OF persons
| outside the Order. All of those things,
with many others, had to be settled be-
fore each division could make its report.
for each state manages it's local business
subject in some things to the national
directory. The division that | belonged
to took the matter up pluckily, and | had
the pleasure OF speaking on the subject,
and gave it good, strong helping hand
The vote was taken, and am proud to
say that the division, No. 4, Of Duluth.
voted to man to endow the chair, and
tax each member the sum required. Thus
the good work went on until the grand
convention was held and finally taken up.
which was finally completed recently by
the handing over of the sum required to
Cardinal Gibbons, who, on behalf of the
governors of the university, accepted
and acknowledged the splendid gift that
has made the name of the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians Of America house
| hold word among the Catholic and Irish
people of the world as benefactors OF
their race and religion, and helped to
| blot out the stain Of division and discord
that had taken place at home. Yet, there
are men who would prevent those noble
exiles from voice in Irish matters. This
society is, perhaps; the largest in Amer
lea. 1t has good roll of over 5000
members, all in good standing, and they
are bound to go in. a body to Holy Com
munion on Patrick's Day, and if any
member is reported for giving scandal he
is fined and strongly reprnanded. They
pay five dollars week sick money, and
each member must, in his turn, visit the
sick and stop up all night with him or
pay fine of two dollars, and on the
death of member his funeral expenses
are paid and in some states they have an
insurance department and pay $1,000.
Then there is the military department, Of
which they have regiments of rifles, in
uniform, and bands. In fact, when they
turn out they make splendid show,
that reflects much credit on dear old
ireland and themselves, and this grand
organization has done all its great work
on the matter of friendship, unity, true
Christian charity, and obedience to au-
I'thority.