Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-09-16
Earnest Desire to Elevate and
Keep Alive the Spirit of
Nationality.
Shall Not Question the Relig-
iOus or Political Beliefs
of Members.
POSTERS A SPIRIT OF FEDERATION

The American Society of this city,
organized some three years ago with Col.
Mike Muldoon as its President, has made
rapid strides and now enjoys larger
membership roll than any similar organ
ization in Kentucky. Among its mem
beers will be found many of Louisvilie's
leading business and professional men.
Recently the society revised its constitu-
ton and bylaws, with the intent of max
ing membership more popular and bene-
fetal and increasing its field of operation.
Numerous inquiries have been made as to
the nature of the changes in the laws of
the organization, and that there may be
no misunderstanding of its purposes the
Kentucky Irish American this week pre-
sents to its readers and the public cor
rect statement of the high aims of this So
ciety. The preamble and declaration of
principles, which are thoroughly Ameri-
can and patriotic as well as non-sectarian'
and non-partisan are as follows:
1--WE, Irish-American citizens of Louis
Vile, KY, in convention assembled, do
declared to our fellow-citizens and to the
world that it is our purpose to form an
organization of Irish-American citizens
regardless of political faith or creed, for
the advancement of Instantaneous
morally, socially and intellectually.
While we, as American citizens, at all
times yield unreserved obedience to the
Stars and Stripes, still it is our earnest
desire to elevate the cause and keep
alive the spirit of Irish nationality, so
dear to the heart of the Irish and Irish
American citizen, and to educate the peo-
pie of our race to the highest standard
of American citizenship. We point with
no small degree of pride to the distin-
guished Irishmen and Irish-Americans
who have participated in the formation
and elevation of this glorious republic.
We propose from time to time to COM
memorate the heroic actions and illus
trious deeds achieved by Irish-Americans
in behalf of the United States of Amer
lea. We pledge ourselves to the cause of
influence in the interest of right and JUS
tice; to visiting our brother members in
sickness and lending them a helping
hand if necessary, and for concert of
action on the part of all americans,
when by so doing we will advance the
general welfare of the community in
which we live, and to keep aloft the glo-
rious principles of American liberty"
The following sections of the constitu-
ton but emphasize the foregoing, and
embrace the more important features:
"The society shall not question the
religious or political beliefs of members
in its constitutional laws, IN its conduct
or in its purposes.
1.-THE purposes of this society shall be
the improvement of the mental, moral
and social condition OF all who desire to
become members of the same; to promote
social intercourse among its members; to
preserve in this country the memories
and historical interest of the land of our
forefathers and her heroes; to commemo-
rate by suitable entertainments of liter
airy, social and musical character or other
means, the great men of Irish birth and
their descendants who are identified with
the history of Ireland or the United
States TO provide sick benefit fund foi
the care of the needy sick; to provide g
death benefit fund by the levying of 81
assessment at the death of member; tC
foster spirit of liberal federation toward
all men, and to aid in public charities.
1.-THE members of this society shall be
either active or honorary
"Any Irishman, either by birth or de
scent through either parent. between thu
ages of eighteen and sixty-fve years, wh'
is citizen of the United States, may be
come an active member of this society.
Life membership may be bestowed
upon any member of the society VIII,
shall have done the society a service tina
in its opinion is worthy of this high dis
tinction, and such member may be ex
empt from future dues, or the society ma,
make any one an honorary member who's
special virtues and high character entitl
him to recognition"
The benefits provided for sick member
are as follows:
SHOULD brother in good standing be
come sick and desire sick benefits he shall
n,tify the society. so that the Sick Com
mittee may visit him. Upon the recon-
mendation Of the committee he shall b
entitled to not more than s. nor less thar
s. per week for thirteen weeks in an.
twelve months, beginning with the dat
of first sickness. No one shall be allowe
benefits for first weeks sickness, NO
until he shall have been a member si'
months
The death benefit will be one Of tn
greatest inducements yet held out by an
society in this city. and should be tn