Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-16
DAY OF ST. PATRICK
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED BY
SONS OF ERIN.

As.de from national holidays. there IL 60
day In the year probably more dear to the
hearts Of the Irish-Americans than that OF
st. Patrick's day, March II. which is cele-
brated throughout the English-speaking
world as a religious anniversary An ef-
fecttve means to the observance 10 through
organization. and in Washington there are
four distinct bodies, the members Of which
devote their leisure time and talents to
propagation of the virtues OF the mother
country, and on the 18th OF March the
memory OF St Patrick Is extolled-
The oldest of these societies Is the Irish
American Union. There is also the Gaelic
League, the Shamrock Club and the Ancient
Order of Hiberians. Perhaps the best
known is the A. o. III. 1t has member
established In America in New York city
In 1896 authority for the step coming from
the parent body in Ireland. where 1t has
existed since 1865. The incentive for the
original Celtic organization, of which the
Ancient Order of Hiberians IL sequence,
is said TO have been the aggressions OF
the English government In regard to relis-
ious worship. The Irish then banded them
selves in an organization known as the
Defenders, and they, as far as possible
facilitated the carrying on of religious Ger
emonies in the emerald Isle, which, per-
force were conducted In caves and SEEM
ingly impossible mountain retreats.
Had Other Titles.
The Defenders also bore other tues,
such as the "Rapparees," the Hiopoa
Men and the White Boys" But after
the passage OF the Catholic emancipation
act in the British parliament in 1879 grant
Ing freedom of worship, etc, to the inhao-
itants of the island, the old titles we.e
abandoned, and the now familiar name Oh
rYar,r o6n
and as such 1t is known throughout me
United Kingdom. Under the motto Oh
'Frienship. Unity and Christian charity
the organization has devoted itself TO na
ternal and pious works After aus eStao
lishment, in New York city in 1896, the
A. O. II. spread through New England
and had quite a successful existence III the
United States in general, although IL oiu
not become a national body until ABOUT
the year 1870, when its conventions began
to attract attention. 1t Is now declarei
to be prosperously established In all the
sta ties and territories of America and III
Canada and Mexico. The local ofiicefs
point with pride to the fact that the So
ciety has reached the $4,000 mark in men,
bership in this country, 10000 in ireland
ana about 10000 in England and Scotland,
with over 10000 of affiliated body IN
Australia. While not an insurance organt-
ztton II is claimed that the Hibernians
have expended nearly s7.0oO,O00 in charity
since the order was formed in this coun-
try. distributed among needy members ana
public charities.
Among its philanthropic endeavors was
the endowment Of Gaelic chair at the
Catholic University of America. which oc-
CURED In 1896. The Ladies' Auxiliary OF
the A. O. H, 1t will be remembered. pre-
sented Trinity College, this city, with
check for $4,000 in November last, when
Cardinal Gibbons and the national officers
OF the a. o. H. participated In the ex-
Icises.
Origin of the Order.
The first seeds of Hibernianlsm were
planted in the District when Judge Maurice
Wilhere of Philadelphia visited Washington
during the month of January. 1891. Judge
Wilhere perfected a permanent organiza
ton with a membership of thirteen, and
Thos. II. Walsh was chosen District presi-
dent. z. II. Moran succeeded him. and,
with the exception of the period from July,
1898, TO the fall of 1902, he has continued
to hold that Office. During these two terms
Rosiia +. Downing is said to have filed the
chair In a capable manner. Mr.. Moran is
credited with being a Jealous executive,
and his administration of the affairs of
the Office declared to have been sue
cessful and beneficial to the order. He
has also been treasurer of the national
body.
The A. o. H. of the District of CoCIumbia
is comprised of seven divisions of men and
ladies' auxiliary of four separate bodies
The officers are as follows:
p. T. Moran. president; J. Frank O'Meara
vice president; secretary, John ]. Dolan
treasurer, James A. Myers.
The division presidents are: Hugh Har-
vey, No. /; P. J. Haltigan, No. 2: Maurice
j. Sheehan, No. B; Francis P. Sheehy, No.
4; John Patrick Dunn, No. 8; j. Frank
o Meara, No. q; Daniel NJ. Stanton, No Z.