Sunday Washington globe., 1902-05-25

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a
benevolent and religious organization in the
sense, that its membership is limited to
Irish Roman Catholics OF the sons of Irish
Catholics. The Clan-na- Gael is also an
Irish organization, but non.sectarian and
without beneficial features. Both organiza-
tions are composed of patriotic Irishmen
who have as members and as organizations
demonstrated their patriotism in the cause
of Ireland. With this distinction, how
ever that whereas the Hibernians are or
ganized for benevolent purposes and have
recognition and standing in the church, the
Clan.na-Gael is a revolutionary body and
outside the pale of the Catholic Church as
an organization, that IS to state, It is not
recognized by the church because it is
secret oath bound society Of uon-sectarian
character. There are numbers of Irishmen,
nevertheless, who belong to both societies.
The national organ Of the Hibernians is
published in this city, and $4,000 per
annum expended on its twelve issues, it
being monthly publication. Its editor is
an accomplished writer and no doubt gives
full value for the money expended. The
national treasurer Of the order Mr.. Moran,
is also a resident and business man of the
Capital. So much being clearly under
stood we shall proceed to unfold tale
connected with the great meeting held in
the Lafayette Theater Sunday evening last
and the subsequent organization Of the
Michael Davitt Branch of the United Irish
League at Carroll Institute the following
monday evening. AS a necessary pre-
face, however, we feel compelled to state
that the editor of the GLOBE is known to
every prominent Irish leader in Irish move
nents since 1865 as a physical force man" "
That is to say revolutionist as contradis-
Gingulshed from an 'agitator" In 1865 we
were one of three hundred American
officers, who at the close of the Civil War
went over to Ireland TO raise the flag of
revolt against English tyranny in that
country and served almost a year in Mount
10y Prison, Dublin. We have been per force,
physical force man from THAI time to the
present hour We yearn to get even"
besides the natural and patriotic desire to
free the land of our sires srom the rule of
the stranger. Hence we have belonged to
the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood in Ire
land and the Clan-na-Gael in America, and
if there were any more radical Irish socie-
ties we would have been member in good
standing OF all of theml
Up TO within a recent period there was no
afhliaton whatever between the Catholic
and benevolent Hibernians and the Clan
ma. Gael The latter as an organization
looked upon the Hibernians with feeling
of hostility as being ruled by the church
and narrow and bigoted in their exclusive
ness, besides being "beace" organization
which did not believe in revolution or ply
sical force, but confined itself to the practice
of religion and the duties OF benevolence.
The Hibernians we're and are the favorite
lay Irish organization of the priests and
bishops of the Catholic Church, while the
Clan ma Gael if not actually excommuni-
Gated formally with bell, book, and can
die, " was aud is abhorred and condemned as
dangerous and degenerate from the reli-
gious point of view organization by the
Catholic hierarchy and priesthood.
And now we come to the visit of Hon
Michael Davitt to this city some months
prior to the recent visit of the Irish ENJOYS,
Messrs Redmond and Devlin. We made
one Of party which visited Mr.. Davitt at
the old Willard's In the party was Mr.
Moran, the national treasurer of the Ancient
Order Of Hibernians. Mr.. Davitt and the
editor of the GLOBE were old cOmpatriots
from Fenian days and individually we re-
ceived the warmest reception of the
most elusive both in shaking Mr.. Davtit's
hand and in welcoming him to Washington.
It was suggested by few Of the party
the next day, among whom was Capt,
Patrick O'Farrell, that we should give a
dinner in honor of Mr.. Davitt. Mr. Moran
was approached on the subject to take the
leading part as an officer representing such
large and influential Irish organization IS
the Hibernians He, however, while ex-
pressing his sympathy with the proposition
held it under advisement ana finally killed
the project by stating that Mr.. Davitt did
not come properly accredited or words to
that effect. Indignant that the greatest
and most practical Irish leader this century
has produced should be required to present
credentials or Identification as a patriotic
Irshman. we were about to open up in
these columns and take Mr., Moran to task
for his inexcusable assumption, but for the
good of the cause" refrained at the re-
quest of some Of the gentlemen of the dele.
cation.
We have, however, kept our eye on Mr..
Moran ever since and hence we have not at
all been astonished at the developments in
connection with the two visits of Messrs.
Redmond and Devlin to Washington.
When these gentlemen 6rst arrived some
two months ago they held areception at the
New Willards, which was attended by
large representation Of the prominent Irish
men Of Washington. Both the ENJOYS de-
livered addresses, the trend Of which was
an appeal to the Irish Americans of the
NationarCapital to form an auxiliary branch
of the United Irish League Mr.. William
f. Downey was selected as temporary pre-
sident and Mr. p j Walsh as temporary
secretary, with instructions to take the me-
cessary preliminary steps to form the
branch. We waited weeks in the expecta-
ton Of call for a local meeting Of Irish
men to form this branch, and then learned