The Irish standard., 1906-05-12
This Recognition is Due Largely to the Efforts
of the Ancient Order of Hibemians
of That City.
The Plan Of Teaching Irish History Was
Approved BY the Voters Of Boston
at Last Election.

racial sense Of justice and equity to
all. {. reverence for the best things in
the past and an admiration, as the
master OF the phrase has put it, for
those shadowy generation: of brave
men and beautiful women who lived
on the ancestral soil, their share of
u continuous social existence that
goes back into the twilight of history.
Irish history stands out against the
lurid background Of the world-move-
men as beacon-light to oil the little
states seeking nationality and outon-
omy.
Would it not give the boys and girls
from whatever parentage they might
issue-in the public schools: of Boston
Il better knowledge of uorld-history
and of American history to become
familiar with the outlines Of Irish his
tory?
The struggle to secure recognition
for Irish history in the schools has
been a long one. Its success is due
primarily and essentially, to the en-
ergy and determination and ability to
shape argument and shatter rebuffs Of
Mr. MATTHEW CUMMINGS, STATE
PRESIDENT OF THE ANCIENT Or
DER OF H1BERNIANs.
Mr.. Cummings has fought against
great opposition, mass Of inertia
and mental tiredness and Il certain
conservatism which. carried to ex-
tremcs, spells mental antagnation.
He never fiinched NOR faltered.
Practical in his organization Of plans
he put them into operation with a
force and vigor that awakened aston
ishment at his alertness and resource
fulness. His triumph is the triumph
Of every person in the community
with Irish blood in his vetEs.
Above all it is q triumph for the
American spirit Of fair play-the
American policy Of the square deal.
The question Of introducing Irish
history into the schools was first given
practical form when Mr.. Cummings
was elected county president. At that
ttime Irish history was taught, in no
fschoo4s in this country. parochial Or
public.
IN 1902 Mr.. Cummings deemed it
advisable to interest the church au-
tl1orities in the project. With sympa-
thy and practical leadership in educa-
tional affairs Of the Rev. Louis S.
Walsh, diocesan supervisor Of paro-
chial schools, results were achieved.
III Il letter sent out to the Reverend
Pastors and Superiors of schools. un-
der date Of September l, 1903, Arch
bishop Williams approved the propos-
al III these words:
|. "a limited study of Irish history for
the schools, where the children are
chiefly of Irish descent. to show forth
the loyalty and undying fidelity OF
the Irish people to the cause Of the
Catholic Church, and to make known
to the children the hereditary nation
al and Christian virtues Of the l,:sl,
| race
I'm the high school department ii
may form a special topic while it is
also closely bound up with English
history, during many centuries, and is
I often necessary to a right understand
ing of the latter
The early Irish civilization. the
Christian schools, the Irish Missionary
labors in the countries that became
England, France. Germany and Italy
the long centuries Of struggle for Ma
tional Unity and later for Religious
Liberty. the Catholic Emancipation
and subsequent triumphs, the grea,
emigration to America and all that il
means today. are very important
epochs Of a great story"
BY this time the various agencies
for making effective the plans out
lined by Mr.. Cummings were thorough.
ly aroused. The pastors Of the vari.
GUS churches throughout the common
wealth took up the matter. in practical
way-and the long-hoped- for plan was
accomplished.
The next step in advance was the
introduction of Irish history into the
public schools Of Boston,