Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-16

regular meeting OF DIVISION NO. anu
when all things were in readiness a COM
mittee of escort. consisting of John ]. Do
Ian. James D. McConville D. F. Sullivan,
Patrick Donohue and John j. Minihan,
proceeded to the rectory and escorted DR..
Stafford to the hall, where he was received
with a most enthusiastic demonstration, the
applause lasting several minutes.
Patrick j. Haltigan, president of Division
NO. 2, occupied the chair and delivered the
opening address, which rendered ON behalf
OF the division the warmeSt congratulations
to the rector on his safe return, and ex-
pressed the earnest gratitude of the MEM
bers that the reverend doctor Is once again
in the land of the free and the home of
the brave
Other Welcoming Addresses.
State President P T. Moran was then in
troduced. He extended welcome to DIR.
Stafford on behalf of the Hibernians of the
District of Columbia Mr.. Morans address
was forcible, testifying in many expressions
of esteem and admiration, to the rector's
great popularity among the members of the
ancient order.
Mr.. Moran was followed by National Or
gamer Ryan of Buffalo, N. Y, who was
the special representative of National Presi-
dent Doian at the reception. Mr. Ryan told
of the great popularity of Dr. Stafford
throughout the country, stating that not
only is he idolized by his people in the Dis
trict of Columbia but throughout the Uni
ted States he is loved and honored for his
magnificent ability and glorious work in
the cause Of church and country
The Very Rev. Thomas J. Shahan, D. D.,
of the Catholic University was the next
speaker. Dr. Shahan is also a distinguished
member of Division No. g and in words of
eloquence he extended to DR.. Stafford a
most cordial welcome home. He spoke of
the great accomplishments of DIR. Stafford
as pastor of st. Patrick's Church, and said
that Hibernians every member of the
organization, priest and layman, is exceed
ingly proud of his magnificent work Dr.
Shahans address was especially pleasing to
the members present, as he Is regarded
throughout the country one of the most
valiant workers in the cause of Hbern:an-
ism.
Prof. ]. C. Monaghan of the Department
of Commerce and Labor was on the pro-
gram for an address, but he was unavoid-
ably absent from the city. His address of
welcome to DR.. Stafford was read by the
presiding officer, and its reading was
punctuated with enthusiastic applause. Ii
said in part:
Il hope 1t is not necessary for me to say
l would gladly speak word of welcome
home to one we have all learned to love,
admire and respect. No man could go out
of our. midst and leave great void at
this moment as DR.. Stafford Standing, as
he does, and has. and always will, for man.
hood. high scholarship, earnest effort in all
good causes from the humblest forms of
charity to the highest work of the states
man, his life is filled full to repletion.
ness the pope, idol of his own people and
of all who know him. he has radiated
around him an influence for good that is
going on and on wherever he has gone.
No man could come into our midst with
warmer welcome than will be accorded to
DR.. Stafford, the happiest combination 1
have ever seen of the Seggarth Aroon and
the progressive priest"
Example to Others.
Another word / want to add to these of
welcome is this: 1t is for what the life of
like DR.. Stafford stands; 1t is the word
that his life is proclaiming to young men,
namely, that this. land of ours is land of
golden opportunities, a land teemng with
all kinds of possibilities for our people.
What are we doing with the chances God is
giving us? Are we following in DIR. Stat
fords footsteps? Are we building as he
builded? Are we reading, writing, working,
thinking? Are we taking advantage of the
wonderful means, weapons or instrumental
ties within reach of us? Remember what
he has made of the talents God gave him.
Remember the life of Boyle, OReilly, Burke,
Cochran. Collins. Lincoln, Garfield, Grant,
the willing workers; the men who learned
their lore by the glowing freight of a log
cabin. Work wins. Labor omnia vincit.
This is the lesson of DIR. Staffords life
Hence we welcome him back, because his
life Is an inspiration
Prof. Joseph Dunn of the Catholic Uni
versity of America, the occupant of the
chair of Celtic languages. also a speak
er. After paying his respects to the guest
of the evening he called the attention of the
audience to the coming of DR.. Douglas
Hyde, the great leader of the Celtic revival
IL Ireland, and closed his address with an
appeal for fitting reception to DIR. Hyde in
the national capital, representing, as he
does. the greatest movement of the age in
the cause of an Irish Ireland.
DR.. Stafford's Response.
Stafford was introduced, and his reception
was splendid testimonial to the esteem
and admiration in which he is held. AS he
stepped forward on the platform the audi
ence rose to it's feet and for several min
utes round after round of applause greeted
him. He was deeply touched by such an
enthusiastic demonstration, and as he began
his address his voice trembled with emotion.
His discourse was greeted by great applause
a. various intervals throughout its delivery,
DR.. Stafford entered so deeply into his
theme that at time the tears were no
ticed upon his cheeks as he referred to the
suffering of his people in the cause of faith
and fatherland He said in part:
II feel profoundly touched by the ex-
pressions of loyalty to me tonight, a 10y
atty characteristic of the Irish race. A
more hospitable race never lived, and If
were IN need | would have no hesitancy in
going to them for succor.
Organizations such as the Ancient Order
of Hibernans are necessity for keeping
members of the race in touch with each
other and promoting unity One thing
which impressed me on my recent trip to
Ireland was the absence of young people.
When l asked where they were / was told
that they were in New York or some other
part of America. No longer is Ireland the
home of the young Cet. Why? Because
the Irishman is ambitious. In ireland
there is but little manufacturing or work of
any kind to keep those anxious of better
ing their condition in their native country.
Their ambition lies In America.
ireland is loved and honored In song
oppression of its people 1t is gradually be-
| ing depopuiated. During my recent trip 1
passed through a stretch of land of 500
| miles where small families in the country
had difficulty In eking out an existence.
| At every home at which / stopped. how