The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-28
REMARKS NOT cherished.
Hibernians May Want Rev. Henebry
to Explain.

to Explain.
The attention OF Mr.. P. ]. O'Connor, ex-
president of the Ancient Order of the
iibernians, was called yesterday to a
quotation from a speech reported to have
been made in Washington by Rev Rich
ard Henebry, professor of the Gaelic Ian
guage and literature in the Catholic Uni
versity there, in which he said; THAT the
nation which had lost its language had
lost its nationality, and that its fortunes
had then become entirely Identified,
whether for better or for worse, with the
nation whose language it had adopted"
In commenting on the above 1t was stat
ed that the members of the Hiberan order
were deeply offended by these sentiments,
and there is a disposition among some of
them to enter a protest with the rector of
the Catholic University The Ancient Or
der of Hibernians endowed the chair Of
Gaelic which is filled by Rev. Henebry at
cost of $4,000.
This money was presented to the univer-
sity in the fall of 1896 through Mr.. O'Con-
nor who was president of the national
order at that time. Dr. Henebry had been
GllSdScu NllCl anu was " NOtiG AipAAl DNp-
lin, but as he had not completed his stud
les, he was sent to Germany at the ex-
pense of the order to make further re-
searches among the old Gaelic manu-
scripts of the continent. He studied for
two years, and only began to teach at
the university Nov. !.
"While my words to the Ancient Order
of Hibernians have been correctly quot
ed" DR.. Henebry explained, 81 do not
think that my meaning has been properly
interpreted. ! do not profess infailibiiity
on any subject. but in the broad sense
in which l spoke, I think l am right
from an ethical point of view. l did not
intend 10 offend the members of the Order
of Hibernians, and l was until this mo-
ment utterly unaware that l had done so.
1 shall take the very first opportunity
offered to express my regret, and, if pos
sible, to clear my remarks of any in
territorial slight whatsoever. However, I
| must add that being perfectly assured
of my own integrity, l do not fear the
accusation which may be lodged against
me. l am a stranger in this country, and
have yet to make my place, but / can
say confidently that when the people of
the United States know me better they
will not be so prone to accept a hostile
Interpretation of my motive and charac-
ter
Mr.. O'Connor said he preferred not to
discuss the matter until all the facts were
obtained but if Rev. Henebry had made
such assertions, it is certainly not con-
sistent with the work he was expected
to do. Mr.. O'Connor worked hard and
skilfully in getting up the large fund, and
had the distinguished honor of presenting
the university with a check for The
amount. He naturally feels an interest in
the success of the work it is desired to
accomplish, and. while he is not harsh
in critcising Rev. Henebry, he thinks the
facts should be inquired into. He does
not think there should be any undue haste
in constituting the remarks attributed to
Rev. Henebry, and there should be an in
vestigaton before bringing the matter to
the attention of the national council is
even suggested.