The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-09-16
UTAH freshmen GET TOGETHER.

A number Of Irishborn and native Americans
OF Irish parentage got together at Col Geoghegans
Office in this city on Tuesday night. That does
not a company of Irish rifles for the National
Guard neither does it portend agitation to enhance
the value OF Utah sugar stocks. Both of these OBJ
jects were distant from the contemplation of the
earnest men present, although most of them walked
III the 6melight of commercial activity
The principal object was to perfect the organ
ization of branch of the Irish National league.
so as to strengthen the cause of moral persuasion
Tor Irish home rule and make ireland country
where men and women may live without starving.
As an incident to this prime object another steps
IN almost equal IN merit to the first Too long
have the Irish and their descendants remained al
most strangers to each other in a community where
the races and religions are united III social clubs
and benevolent societies Almost every state in the
union has individuals representing such state in a
social club, like the Indiana society," and the Penn
syI7anla society, for examples. There may be an
freshman found here and there in those state clubs
There are Irishlnen numbered with the Elks. with
the Alta and the Commercial clubs. But there is
no distinct clubs of Irishmen No place where
Irlshmen could meet and exchange views. start
encouragement to the Irish in their midst No Mace
where an freshman might hear speech or recita-
ton, even If speech and recitation were as old as
the hills. No place to sing song or listen to
"Garryowen,' except on ST. Patricks night when
Miss Nora Gleasons little songbirds appeared at
the Salt Lake theatre. This dismal picture will
speedily vanish now that we have an organized
branch Of the Irish league and officers behind it to
carry out the plan successfully.
A draft for over 5000 was mailed Oh Thursday to
the treasurer of the international society at Bog
ton. That is pretty good start for an oreaniza-
ton Just two nights old. But it is not the money
sent from Salt Lake that will count so much as the
principle behind It, "The Irish are everywhere
the British statesman will say. ''Who would ever
think of finding 1rishneA in the land of the Nor
mons, out on the Great American Desert? Scratch
the Junges, and you find an freshman almost as
quick as you discover the tiger"
When it came to appropriating name for tba
branch, there could be'no dissenting vote to tie
choice made. Thomas Francis Meagher was the
name chosen-a name to conjure with in Montana.
and one to quicken the red blood in every Irsb1nan
OF the Rocky mountains. Then for president that
grand Irish priest Of Ogden-Rev. P. NJ Cusbna-
han-was unanimously elected. Father Cuslnaban
was not present, but it was felt that his magnetic
personality would arouse enthusiasm. and his non
uarlty IS not limited to the state of Utah Georoa
o. Doyle, the State street plumber, was elected
Ylce-presldent; James Kieen. business associate Of
Mr. Doyle, was elected secretary The man to hold
the purse was lnstnctively found in the person of
Col Joseph Geoghegan, and SO he becomes the
treasurer of the local branch
The thing remaining to do is to urge every Irish
sy1npathizer to join the league and persuade his
fellow-countryman and countrywoman to do like
wise. Women are not barred but made most well
come.