The Irish standard., 1904-07-16

cruited only from those of one faith
and one race, can submit as its record
in the same space of time the sum of
S5,7O4, $500 disbursed for the pur-
poses named. 1t may be added that
in the treasures of the Divisions still
remained cash and property amount
ing to $1,076,01S.7S as evidence of the
resources Of the society. How many
families were cheered, how many
hearts We're consoled by the distribu-
ton of this gigantic charity the re-
ports do not show. But when it is re-
called that the benefits were limited
to thirteen weeks at SIS each week,
we can roughly estimate how noble
and widespread is the charity of the
great Hiberian Order.
The loyalty of the order to it's SPLEEN
did motto of Friendship, Unity and
Christian Charity" speaks in every
line OF the reports. To those who
scoffed at Irish unity the history of
those six reports most pointedly gives
the lie. To those who doubt the abil-
ity of the Celt to govern, proof most
convincing is found in the minute and
complete records submitted from the
convention committees. Modelled to a
considerable extent OH the plan of the
American government, the independ-
ence of state rights protects the ma
tional body from the veXing cares of
local disputes. The national president,
surrounded by his cabinet, has time
and opportunity to study, discuss and
submit to the membership such policies
and measures as may be deemed neces-
Sary for the successful progress of the
order on its chosen path Of race eleva-
ton. 1t is splendid evidence of the
harmony of corelative management to
note that in the six national reports I
have studied, no evidence could be
found of dissonance of feeling between
the state and national authorities of so
large an organization, covering such Il
wide territory and controlling so varied
number of interests, social, benevo-
lent, religious and political. The Or
der has proved in those ten years that
it has its own particular mission
amongst lrish-American Catholics. 1t
has adhered to it's motto through storm
and sunshine. In it's pilgrimage from
north to south and from east to west
it's officials preached it's doctrine of
true fraternity with answering loyal
ty. Storms roared around it's shelter
! ing roof, but within it's walls were
found unity, peace, work. The finan-
cial question became subordinate to
the nobler labors of inspiration, eleva-
ton, and education. No idle mouth
ings proved to be advice of it's con-
ventions. Work and it's accomplished
results was the story of the orders
existence between conventions. When
the delegates assembled they found
themselves standing higher in the esti-
nation of their fellow-citizens, they
learned that their duties included de-
alterations of high and lofty purpose,
they realized that they came together
as the collective wisdom of a people
striving to realize the national ideal of
a race. In all the pages of those six
reports cannot be found frivolous
suggestion or unworthy scheme re-
quiring the attention of the delegates.
| In no instance can the most captious
find, even in defeated resolutions, any
thing but honest thought, broad char
ity and earnest endeavor, nor was the
influence confined to the convention
halls. 1t found it's way through the
ranks of the order. The glorious es-
sence of true Hibernianism, patient
and persevering, permeated the states.
1t awakened new energies, it won new
recruits, it found new fields of useful
ness. 1t taught the membership that
Hibernianism stood separate, alone,
unmoved and Interchangeable in it's mis-
sion-in it's purpose-in its principles.
Ten years only, and yet how noble
a narrative! What a galaxy of results.
Ten years more, and where may we
stand? Out in the forefront of the
Irish column, which ever leads in the
ranks Of the marching hosts who may
pioneer civilization under any banner
they may follow. Ten years more Of
calm conservative counsel, unvexed
by petty thought or unworthy chicane!
Ten years more Of added record and
monumental results! Ten years more
of cheerful submission to the wise
guidance Of Mother Church! Ten
years more Of fraternal government,
unblemished by the autocracy of the
self seeker! Ten years more of earn
est labor to redeem nation and a race
from the fate which once threatened
its future through the Vaccinations of
treachery and hate! Ten years more
what pleasure it will be for some
ADLER pen to link their events into a
proud record, and perhaps adding to
the story Of the past, afford a testa-
ment in whose pages may be found
the rehabilitation of nation, the
emancipation Of her democracy, and
the successful revival Of all that was
: noble in Il DeODle whose history is