Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1904-12-17
Distinguished Scholars Are Now
Calling Attention to
the Society.
Eloquent Tribnte From the
Very Rev. Thomas j.
ShahaD, ID. ID.
ITS GLORIOUS WORK IN AMERICA

The Ancient Order of Hibernians has
a glorious history. which is now being
brought forcibly to the attention of Irish
Americans by distinguished statesmen
and scholars. The fact is that for years
the Ancient Order has "hid its light
under a bushel," as it were, and the
generality of Irishmen know nothing,
or at least little, of this order, which is
today the greatest Catholic organization
in the country. In this country it is
made up of the bone and siuew, the
rank and file of Irish-American citizeA-
ship. 1t puts on no frills, makes no
pretentions of being exclusive, but it
does its work we'll.
These reflections are brought about
through reading the learned address of
that great Irish-American scholar. Very
Rev. Thomas ]. Shahsn, D. D., professor
of church history at the Catholic Uni
versity of America. This learned address
on the history, objects and aims of the
Ancient Order was recently delivered be-
fore an immense throng in Carnegie
Hall, New York City, on which occasion
Judge Morgan J. O'Brien, of the New
York Supreme Court, presided and in
troduced the learned and distinguished
lecturer.
DR.. Shahsn's address on the subject
of "Hibernianism" should be read by
every Irish-American, whether he be-
longs to the order or not. The learned
speaker only briefly referred to the early
organization, preferring to dwell upon its
work in this country. He said to go
back to the early formation of the soci-
etF--woald- be to recall the formation Of
organization by the disbanded armies of
the O'Neiis and Desmonds. The society
from the earliest times has been Catho-
lie as we'll as patriotic. 1t was the body
guard of the Catholic priest when he
said mass in the open air, when the
clergy were tracked from glen to mount
ain, from forest to bog, as though they
were a wretched vermin In the body
polite.
Coming down to our own times, DIR.
Shahan read letter from the brethren in
Ireland to the brethren in New York,
dated May 4, 1886, granting authority
and full instructions to establish branches
of the society in America. These in
structions are too long to reproduce here,
but, suffice 1t to say, first of all, members
must be Roman Catholics and Irish or of
Irish descent and of good moral char
acter, and none shall join secret So
ciety to which the church objects. The
instructions bear the broad Christian
Catholic spirit. as will be observed from
this paragraph:
"Also be it known unto you that our
wish and prayer Is that when you form
your society, in many cities or towns,
you will do all that is in your power to
aid and protect your Irish sisters from all
harm and temptation, AS the Irish woman
Is known for her chastity all over the
world. Some OF them may differ from
you in religion, but, brothers, bear in
mind that our good Lord died for all;
therefore be 1t known unto you that our
wish is that you do all that you can for
the Irish emigrant girls, no matter who
they may be, and God will reward you
in your new country, and doing this you
will keep up the high standing and honor
of the Irish in America"
DIR. Shahan said the American branch
of the Ancient Order of Hibernians had
been faithful to these early instructions,
which were broad and Catholic in spirit.
Continuing, he said:
Brethren of the Ancient Order, you
have, indeed, been very faithful to that
simple and unassuming letter Of your
, foundation, a letter that breathes an
apostolic spirit, and II not written by a
priest, was surely written by a priestly
soul, such as have always abounded in
Ireland since st. Patrick took away their
pagan hearts and gave them the warm
Christian hearts that they have never
since parted with. You have indeed ex-
ercised every form of Christian charity.
Who will count for us the sick you have
supported, the widows and orphans you
have cared for, the friendless and home
less you have aided in these seven de
cades3 l read that in single decade.
from 1884 to 1894, you spent nearly six
million dollars in charitable aid, most Of
1t in small sums and in each case for a
limited time. And have no doubt that
from 1894 to 1904 you spent as many
millions, perhaps more, in the relief Of
, the poor and the helpless. To how many
hearths of the poor and lowly must you
. have come as ministering angels' And
/ what were all these and greater sums Of
money in comparison with that coinage
of the heart that you pour out unceas
. ingly in consolation, encouragement
: advice and all the forms Of Christian
/ solicitude for the widow and the orphan
hose in peril and distress, in a word fol