The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-29
THE REUNITED A. O. H.
National Convention Will BE Held In
sYrsAutnn. n. T.

Messrs. ]. ]. OConnor, National Presi-
dent John c. Weadcck, National Vice
President; Maurice F. Wilhere, Ma
ticnal Director; John P. Murphy, Ma
tional Director; James O'Sullivan Ma
tional Secretary; Rev. VIM. T. McLaugh-
lin. committee representing "The A.
o. H. of America" and Rev. E. S. Phil
lips, National Delegate; E. R. Hayes.
National Secretary; John McWilliams.
National Treasurer; John P. Quinn, Jo-
seph Mclaughlin, Miles F.. Mcfarland,
James H. Murphy, committee repre-
senting 1.-The A. o. H. of the U. s.
Of America" in utilization with the Board
of Erin
Gentlemen:
In my decision Of Dec. II, 1897, 1 re-
served the right to designate the time
and place for the national convention, to
be held by virture of said decision, in the
following words: 1.-The national dele
gate and the national president shall
Jointly sign and issue a call, counter
signed by the arbitrator, to those under
their jurisdiction, for national conven-
ton, to be held during the month of
June, 1898, on such day and in such place
as the arbitrator shall decide" This
clause was accepted and ratified by your
honorable committees. In pursuance Of
this part Of the decision. have weighed
the reasons which should be considered
in relation to the time and place of thu
national convention, bearing always in
mind the interests CT both organizations
and specially the cause of unity and
harmony
Before the selection of an arbitrator.
each branch of the order had selected
an American city for holding it's own
national convention. and after arbitra-
ton had been resorted to 1t became at
once perfectly clear that only one ma
tional convention could be held, and that
this must necessarily be one of the points
his judgment
Besides, after so cordial an acceptance
of my decision by your honorable COM
mlttees, acting for both bodies, and it's
unanimous Neutrality-suspicious. even
one discordant note from the organiza-
lions throughout the country, covering,
as it did, principles which had been dis
cussed with such divergence of opinion
during many years-it is evident that
the question of time and place Is Of
minor importance. Nevertheless, have
carefully considered this question, and
l find that 1T would be imprudent and
prejudicial to the interests Of unity and
harmony, if either of the cities desig-
mated, previous to my selection as arbi-
traitor, for national conventions this
year were selected. must, therefore,
choose neutral CITY, and be guided by
its accessibility as a railway center, and
its capability for accommodating the
delegates. Moreover, 1 think it will be
granted, after my long and arduous la
Dor in behalf of unity, since am to he
temporary chairman, and my personal
supervision as arbitrator will be needed
until the close of the national conven-
ton, that my convenience should also be
considered. For am required in very
busy season of the year for me to devote
great part of my time to the interests
of the order. and should not be asked 10
leave my diocese
1t has been urged that certain Ameri-
can cities are replete with revolutionary
ri hot ~;
consideration in making a selection.
Gentlemen, l most willingly concede the
force Of this argument. 1t will, indee1,
be glorious day when Irish and Irish
Americans meeting here in America, on
soil rendered sacred in revolutionary
days by the blood of our fathers, will
lovingly entWine the memories of the
heroic days of Erin and America-deels
crimsoned with their hearts blood and
performed for life, liberty and the pur-
suit Of happiness" Therefore 1 feal
that Providence guided the steps Of
your honorable committees, seeking for
union, to New Jersey. For here are the
historic battlefields of Princeton, Mon
mouth and Trenton. 1 love, indeed, to
think that New Jersey was among the
first of the sturdy colonies to raise the
standard of independence; that her hills
and valleys have been hallowed by the
blood of revolutionary heroes; that when
the destinies of this country were
shrouded in darkness, when the spirits
Of the fathers hung heavy and detected,
when defeat after defeat had tried their
patience and taxed their endurance, tho
victory at Trenton gave them new
strength and courage; and that in this
city was seen, for the first time, the
bright star of hope rising above th3
darkened horizon of Americas brilliant
future
Familiar as we are with these glorious
deeds. must not 1 and my devoted flock
be proud OF the fact that my cathedral
is built on the ground first dedicated 20
freedom and then to religion by the
Lord of hosts, and that it's Gothic spire,
While pointing out the way to Heaven,
is alike a monument to civic and Chris
tian virtue! Yes, gentlemen be assured.
Providence guided you to Trenton. Here
the work Of union was begun, and here