The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-13
BOTH BRANCHES
ARE UNITED
concluded from Page IL

submitted and obtained by interviews
and correspondence, as the arbitrator Sc
lected by our honorable committees
render the following decision
/. The name by which the reunited
organizations shall be known Is "The
Ancient order of Hibernians," the words
"ln America" shall be AIDED only to dcs-
ignatc the country wherein the organiza-
tion is located.
,. The constitution in use previous to
disunion, and adopted at the national
convention held in Cleveland, o., May
16, 1SSi shall be taken as the groundwork
to which all necessary amendments shall
be made.
At the national convention held by vir-
tue of this decision amendments shall be
recommended by a 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.
THE QUESTION OF PARENTAGE.
3. The qualifications for membership
i'm the order are enumerated in Article
y of the aforementioned constitution.
Among others, the following will be
found: mo person shall become mem
her of this order who is not Irish, or of
Irish descent, through either parent,
etc.
This qualification has been the cause
of much discussion in past years. | am
satisfied, nevertheless, that it's rcten-
tion is necessary for the continuance,
growth and prosperity of the organiza-
tion in this country. a more restrictive
qualification may, perhaps, be better in
Europe but in America it would be sui
Cidal, owing to the frequent marriages of
the Irish and their descendants with 9TH
cr natiOnaitics.
1t has been asserted that this qualf-
| l.
membership. | do NOT concur in this
view. 1t is by vote that Il 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 later, 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 cultivates and encourages the
patriotic pulsatons of every heart in
which Circulates a single drop of Irish
blood.
(. The quarterly communications"
after the national convention held in
accordance with this decision, shall be
approval of the national chaplain, by the
chief executive officer of the order in
America until the European branches oil
the order shall have unbed, and Il 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 decision
the question of receiving the quarterly
communications" from Europe may be
considered
you have come together like true and
honorable men, willing to make any sac
ritCe for unity and harmony; YOU have
| resolved that all differences shall be for
| gotten, and you are determined to act
! for the best interests of your church,
! your race, and the general welfare of
| your organization. Your brothers in Eu-
| rope are equally magnanlmous, and will
no doubt cheerfully follow your exam
| pie.
| | suggest, therefore that the new
| chief executive officer. elected at the fla-
| tional convention, held by virtue of this
| decision, communicate with the Chicr
| executive officers of the European
| branches of the order, and advise them
to unite by some such feasible means
as you may have selected.
AN INTERNATIONAL BOND.
;. a bond of friendship, unity and
! NlltlSlldll tIdlltN Sudll SUN tNlSl Dt-
| tween the American and European bod
| les. This bond shall be the transfer
card" from either European branch,
which shall be duly honored, as herein
| after provided, by the order in America.
| 6. The plan of reorganization, which is
| hereto attached, is part of this de-
| Cision, and embraces all matters apper-
! tanning to representation, conventions,
credentials, property, transfer card, con-
| stitutiOn, ritual, government of organza-
| tion, etc.
! Allow me gentlemen, in delivering this
| decision to present my thanks for the
| uniform courtesy shown me during these
dcliberation by yourselves and other
members of both organizations and to
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 the Ancient order of
| Ilibernians throughout the world.
| (SignCd) James A. McFaul,
| arbitrator Bishop of Trenton.
| Trenton, n. j., Dec. II, 1897.
| Attorney John p. Quinnan, of this
| city, an officer of the Ancient Order of
| Hibernians. Board of Erin, and a MEM
| Der of the joint committee on amalga-