The Washington times., 1902-10-19
GREAT WORK OF THE A. o. H.

| In looking over the records of our or
der. we are deeply impressed with the
magnitude of the work now being car
ried on in behalf Of Ireland and human
fly by the members of our organization
In every section of the country. Even
from Scotland comes the good word Of
hope and action. while every town and
city in this broad Republic is the scene
of incessant work and determined reso-
| luton.
Our people everywhere are deeply en-
crossed in the consideration of ques-
tions calculated to improve the csndi-
tions of the Irish race at home and
abroad. The ennobling principles of
our order are being fostered and ex-
tended on every hand and the outlook
Is most encouraging. With friendship,
unity. and Christian charity truly pos
sessing Us nothing but good can result,
not only to ourselves, but to the whole
community in which we 1ive-to the old
land from which unjust laws have driven
us, and to the new and glorious coun-
try which has extended to us a welcome
and home.
The cultivation of our Irish music,
too, is receiving due attention, and this
will open our hearts to tender thoughts
and feelings and cheer us on in CUR
good work. W i
In two States alone, Massachusetts,
and Pennsylvania, the sum Of S271, 400
has been spent on sick and funeral BEN
aGf fr- khr ~
figures do not include the vast sums
given for charity and to help along
worthy movements, like that Of the
miners in Pennsylvania, to whom our
organization III that State has given
s., 900.
Above all things, the restoration OF
our National language receives the high
consideration which it deserves. We
DESIRE" says National President Dolan,
in his recent address. ito prevent the
Standardization Of Ireland, to restore
her language literature and nationality.
History shows that the destruction of
the language Of people is the first step
taken by conquerors. We propose to re-
store the language of Ireland, and TO
that end the Denver convention con-
tributed literally to the Gaelic League
to promote the teaching of the Irish
language"
President Dolan speaks truly and to
the point. Too much attention cannot be
given to the restoration OF our language.
The national tongue speaks the national
life of a people. With the death OF the
one the other also naturally expires.
Mark the struggle the brave Poles are
making for the preservation OF their Ian
guage, even though their nation has been
cut in pieces and parceled out among the
three greatest nations of the world
They have been beaten down by brute
force and and kept in chains by huge
standing armies. yet when Emperor Will
liam visited them the other day he was
only welcomed by his own hfreling SOL t
diers. The Polish people gave him no I
greeting. Their houses and stores were /
draped in mourning, and deep and SOL !
emn silence marked the entrance Of his
German majesty into their towns and
cities They have clung like grim death
to their language. All the boasted pow
er Of Germany, Austria, and Russia can .
not destroy their native tongue. They /
realize that as long as they can cling to I
it. and through 1t keep alive their song 4
and story, their customs and traditions, |
there is hope for them in the future.
ireland, in like manner, must cling to 1
her ancient tongue and through it draw
lessons from the past and apply them to
the present and the future Next to the
noble principles Of Friendship, Unity
and Christian Charity, which speak in
every tongue, comes the preservation OF
the pure language Of the Gael. In all its
bright lexicon there Is not a word OF
impurity or indecency. While it pros
pered in Ireland there was no turmoil
or dissension, and when 1t resumes its
SWAY once more all differences will be
swept away and we will present that
united front bespoken by our National
President as necessary to the proper as
sertion and maintenance Of our rights.
1t is most encouraging then, to cast q
glance along the busy field Of our en-
deavor and mark the great progress that
is being made.
P. ]. HALTIGAN, The National Hi
berufan,