The San Francisco call., 1897-08-13
THE SPIRIT OF
uIuETY-EIGHT
Preliminary Meeting for
a Great Patriotic
Movement.
Irishmen Assemble to Celebrate
the Year of Glorious
Memories.
Organization Effected by the Ninety
Eight Centennial and Monument
Association.

Last evening knights OF the Red Branch
Hall was filled to overfowing with most
intelligent and patriotic assemhlace OF
Irish eli izens, called together to erect a
permsneat organization so as TO celebrate
properly the centennial OF the year OF
glorious me emories to the Irish people
179S-and to take steps to erect monu-
ment 10 Theobald Wolfe Tone and the
gallant men of that time. A preliminary
meeting had been held at the Occidental
Hotel some weeks ago. and last evenings s
meeting was called to hear reports OF
committees and get to Work on the move
ment in proper shape. jeremiah Mahoney
was IN the chair. After the meeting had
been called to order the following report
was received from the special com mittee-
Colonel Thomas F. Barry (chairman), Gen.
P. F. Walsh, Captain T. P. Crowley. r. c.
O'Connor and j. j. Donovan.
To the '9S Centennial and Monument Associa-
ton: Your ommittee on permanent organlza-
tion beg leave to report as follows:
That the officers of this organization shall
consist OF president, first and second vice
presidents. IL recording and financial secre-
tary, corresponding secretary and treas
urer The duties of these officers shall be such
as are usually performed by them, respec-
Your committee commend that there shall
also be an executive com mmittee, consisting OF
fifteen mem bers, 10 be appointed by the presI-
dent.
Your committee further recommend that all
money received be de POSTED in the Hibernia
savings and Loan Society of San Francisco, in
the JOINT names OF the president, treasurer
and recording and financial secretary, subject
TO the order OF any twts OF them.
Thomas F. Barry, P +. Walsh T. P. Crowley,
R. c. O'Connor, j. J. Donovan,c ommittee.
The report was adopted. The following
permanent officers were elected: Presi-
dent, Jeremiah Mahoney; recording and
financial secretary, Daniel e. Deasy; cor
responding secretary, Z. b. Flanagan; |;
treasurer, John Mulhern. The appoint
mont of the executive committee was held
over. The following address prepared by
the above committee was read and ordered
issued 10 the Irish-American people of
California as explanatory OF the objects of
the association:
To the Irish People Of California: Ninety-nine
years ago the banner of freedom was unfurled
in Ireland, and beneath its folds was shed
the bl ood of her bravest and best, who scorned
longer 10 be the slaves OF an alien power Gen.
turies of English in justice ana oppre ssion had
impoverished the mass OF the Irish people.
desecrated their altars, ruined their indus-
tries, arrested their intellectual development
ana made outlaws OF race whose necks
would not endure the collar of servitude.
to these outrages OF the dark and bloody past
but their frequent and abortive uprisings
against the foreign oligarchy, and the conse-
quent relentless butcheries simply proved
that Ireland's wrongs could never be righted
save by united people. The United Irish
men," mindful of the causes of past failures
as we'll as of present evils, sought in the union
OF all Irish patriots, without reference to race,
descent or religious creed, the same boon OF
freedom for their unhappy country that had
just been attained by the fortitude of the
American colonists.
Had the God OF storms been as propitious to
the barks that bore the tricolor of the uncon-
quered republic to the aid OF the gallant Wolfe
Tone as when the lilies of France sailed
across the Atlantic bringing arms aud victory
to Washington, we should perhaps to-day be
inviting our fellow countrymen to participa
In the ce1eoTatlon OF the centennial anniver-
sary of Irish independence. The cause was
not lost through lack OF valor or want of de-
votion. The very elements seemed to fight
against it. But so long as records of human
achievements shall be preserved for future
admiration and emulation, the world Will
ever kindle at the recital of the glorious deeds
of those who, in those heroic days, gave their
all for country, whether on the battle field or
in the felon's cell.
1t is fitting, therefore, that the commemora-
ton next year in Ireland OF III s immortal
struggle should testify not only that the sacri-
fees of the past were not in vain but also tha t
Irishmen and their descendants throughout
the world claim their share with those in Ire-
land in honoring that glorious past which is
Inf1amed with patriotic recollections and the
universal impulse of enthusiasm that en-
circles the globe. proves that union of the Irish
race for which the martyrs of '9S offered
up their lives, some lasting memorial of those
great deeds and the princi pies that actuated
them should be planted upon Irish soil as the
tribute of the present to the past and its ap-
peal and reminder to the future. 1t is be-
lieved that in this resolve of the people in
Ireland TO erect suitable monument in the
coming year every man OF Irish descent
tyha Will 6asi IN ~.
as TO make the perpetu uation of the principle
OF Irish independence truly national. In this
great movement the Irish people OF California
should not, and will Eot, be found wanting
Already an organization for the erection of
such a monument and for other proper re cog
milton and celebration of the great anniver-
sary that is approaching, has been formed in
Ireland. Similar organizations are arising in
this country, notably in New York City. The
as sociation which sends this address to the
1rishmen OF California hopes to be no incon-
spicuous member in the column OF kindred
organizations, animated by common senti-
ment and inspired by the loftest of human
motives, love OF freedom and love of country.
1t earnestly invites the cooperation OF every
lover of Irish liberty in this noble endeavor to
honor the men and principles embodied in its
name.
And when on the slopes of Vinegar Hill, or
wherever else beneath Irish skies. the lofty
monument shall be erected let us hone that as
its beauties are unveiled to the fearful eyes of
hundreds OF thousands of our race the MEM
that the Irishmen of California through its
efforts have generously and devotedly, as of
old, contributed to the success OF this pa tri-
otic undertaking.
To make the movement as general as posi-.
BILE Subscriptions will be received in sums
from $5 (Which IS the maxim um) downward.
All subscriptions to the FUNDS should be re-
mitted to the financial and CORES spondipg sec
retary, Daniel c. Dessy, at his address, rooms
81 and 9S Flood building, San Francisco.
Let every Irish home in the State be repre-
taI} in hac yltcnr ipfr0 CT arda tk.
we OF 1898, the successors and descendants Of
the men OF 1898, may show that we have not
forgotten the heroism of our forefathers, and
that the spirit which actuated them still lives
fresh and strong in the hearts of the Irish
race Of to-day.
A letter from Hon. James D. Phelan re-
GREETING his inabiIi y to be present was
real, and he askeu that his name be
added the roll as ne was in hearty SYM
pathy with the movement The address
of the New York committee was also read.
Brief and patriotic addresses were made
n a. n