Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-10-21
Delivers the Most Eloquent and
Able Address Heard Here
i'm Many Years.
The Weather Prevented the EX-
ercises Taking Place at
the Carnival.
ENJOYABLE RECEPTION IN HIS HONOR


programme arranged for Tuesday last
lrish-American day, at the Elks' carnival
had to be postponed to Thursday night,
thereby disappointing the thousands who
anticipated the most enjoyable evening
of the entire celebration. The rain began |
falling early in the morning and con-
tirued all day, despite which large |
number went there in the hope of hear
ing Hon. John T. Heating, National !
President of the Ancient Order of Hiber- |
mans, as it was not decided to declare the |
exercises off till late in the afternoon.
President Heating arrived in this city
Tuesday morning and was escorted to the
Louisville Hotel by Messrs. James Cole
man, William NJ. Higgins and John Bar
rett, where he was visited by the Recep-
ton Committee of the Elks and the lead
ing Hibernians of this city, all of whom
expressed themselves as greatly pleased
with the distinguished Chicagoan. While
the exercises at the carnival grounds had
to be abandoned, that did not interfere
with the reception which was held in his
honor in Hibernian Hall, which was
crowded to its full capacity. The Hall
Board had had the hall most artistically
decorated, the national colors and the
green of Ireland predominating. Scallv's
orchestra occupied unique place in the
hall and discoursed many appropriate
selections.
President Heating entered the hall es-
corted by State President Martin Cusick, |
Secretary James Coleman and County
President Murphy, and was given one OF
the heartiest welcomes ever bestowed up-l
on a national officer Awaiting his ar
rival were number of our leading Irish
American citizens, among them Newton
c. Rogers, Pat Bannon. Barney Camp
bell, Matt O'Doherty. Edward ]. Nc
Dermott, Dr. William b. Dougherty and
John Kelly.
State President Cusick introduced Mr.
Heating, who delivered what proved to
be the most eloquent and able address
ever listened to by the Hibernians of this
city. He is an orator of the highest order
and held his audience spell-bound from
start to finish. His recitation of the evic-
tions he had witnessed in Ireland and his
appeal to the younger element to carry
on the work of the great organization OF
their fathers and forefathers had a telling
effect, and his tribute to the music and
literature of Ireland was a mastery effort.
President Heating created fine i'm
preston, and we sincerely regret that we
are unable to give stenographic report
of his address, which far surpassed the
expectations of those present. Among
other things he said
To tell the story of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians is to relate the
history of the Irish people at home
and abroad for two centuries past. The
society came into existence when all was
dark and sad in Green Innisfail. 1t came
to poor Erin's side when she was alone
and forgotten by all save God, when from
her shores had fed the soldier, the states
man and the scholar, when only one
friend watched over her fainting form,
her futtering life pulse, the priest of her
nation, the "Soggarth Aroon."
For a century the labors of the order were
to save to the people the religion of their
forefathers and preserve the minister of
holy faith against the attack of his relent-
less enemies. The seventeenth century
closed and the eighteenth opened with
the stream Of evils growing larger and
new work devolved on the men of the old
society--the labor of saving the exile
for the church and keeping alive in the
wanderers breast the love for motherland.
How we'll the society did its work the
strength of Irish-American influence is a
proof. In every State where dwells the
celt the spirit of Irish patriotism is strong
and fervent Third century of the orders
existence has commenced and new duties,
new tasks, call for fresh exertion and re-
newed devotion. The army of exiles are
growing fewer and the check OF emigra-
ton no longer keeps the flame alive
with fresh offerings from the Island of
Saints on the shores of America. To the
Irish-American the society turns to re-
cruit its membership and from those born
under the stars and stripes her leaders
look for soldiers to continue the battle.
In the school house and the home the
gospel Of regenerated Ireland must be
taught and the virtues of the ancient race
inculcated in youthful minds. To love
and appreciate the land of their fore
fathers the children of the exile must be
taught the glories of the past, the duties
of the prerent and the promise of the
future. The literature, the poetry, the
music. Of the past must be taught and the
standard bearers of the coming century
trained to be opponents Of tile true tradi-
tions of the Irish race. There is still an
other task for the Hibernisn. In the