The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-06-16


gathered in New Haven for the Con-
vention. He was much impressed with
the officers Of the various Councils
many of whom he met and talked with
personally.
On Tuesday morning. His Eminence
celebrated Pontifical Mass at ST. Mary's
Church. Later in the day he made a
very brief address in Woolsey Hall,
taking up the point Of combination, as
DR.. Hadley Of Yale. had referred to
that day as a combination of all in
terests. The Cardinal said:
DIR. Hadley's suggestion as to the
value of combination Is very true. 1t is
what has caused the material, intel
lectual. moral religious, as we'll as COM
mercial, progress of this nation. AS I
came up the East River | was much
impressed by the strength of those
great bridges whose cables are of
wires-an example of the strength in a
combination.
THE success of the Knights of Co.
lunbus is due to the combination of
education, morality and religion. which
form faith, hope and divine charity.
No man is sufficient unto himself. Even
the Rockfellers. Carnegies and other
captains of industry would not have
succeeded without friends to take them
by the hand and give them aid over the
hard places. Without such friends man
would be poor, blind and naked. and no
man may shirk such responsibility. for
each man is his brothers keeper---a
relation that is responsible for the
best that our present day civilization
holds. Without it We would still be in
darkness"
Wednesday, June 6, was the big day
of the convention. On that day the new
national headquarters, Columbus Hall,
was dedicated with fitting and elakor-
ate ceremonies. Addresses We're made
by many prominent men. among whom
were Juge Morgan J. O'Brien and
Judge Victor ]. Bowling. both of New
Brooklyn; Mr.. Edward l.. Hearn. the
Supreme Knight of the Order. and
Senator John Nj. Carter. of Montana,
and Senator John Gearing. of Oregon.
Both Mr.. Hearn and Senator Gearing
We're in this city on the occasion of the
Cathedral Celebration, and they made
many warm friends while on their vis-
1t.
The Convention was altogether, q
the future greatness of the knights.
That they are an exceedingly popular
organization is manifest from the glor-
ious welcome that was accorded them
by the people of New Haven, who lost
no opportunity to honor their guests
In view of the great convention just
held in New Haven, Il history of the
order will prove interesting and timely,
It's story. in brief. is as follows:
The order of the knights of Colum-
bus owes it's origin to the Rev. Michael
Joseph McGivney, then II curate of st.
Joseph's Church. New Haven, Conn.
He conceived the idea of a great Cath
Olic society, to be restricted in it's mem-
bership to practical Catholics. and to
be organized under the auspices of the
Church. He had seen many Catholics
fall away from the faith through con-
nectiOn with secret societies that were
antagonistic to all religion, so he re-
solved to organize one that Catholics
could join with the free sanction and
Endorsement of the ecclesiastical au-
thOrities.
prise such men as Daniel Colwell, who
has been national secretary of the Or
der since it's foundation; James L. Null
len. Matthew C. O'Connor. Cornelius T.
Driscoll afterwards mayor of New
Haven. John r. Kerrigan and William
NJ. Geary. and with them organized
and incorporated the knights of Co.
lumbus on March 90. 1882.
After seven years of labor as curate
in New Haven. Father McGivney was
appointed rector Of st. Thomas Church.
Thomaston. He assumed charge of the
parish on Nov. 16, 1884, and labored
there zcalously for nearly six years
almost liquidating the entire debt on
the property.
But the arduOus labor he had per-
formed in the foundation of the
knights of Columbus and his parish
| work soon began to tell upon him and
he was called to his reward on August
IA, 1890.
charter was granted by the LeyiS-
laturc to the knights of Columbus for
| the transaction of a fraternal insur-
| ance business. Although chartered as
an insurance organization, those who
| formed the order had an additional and
| higher motive in view. Their pri
mary object was Catholic unity. Tho
| uniting of all Catholic gentlemen into
F! one compact body devoted to the in
| terests Of CathOlicity with "Charity
| Unity. and Brothcrly Love" as thci,
motto. The unflagging zeal. lndaunt-
ed adherence to principle and undyine
| faith in their cause enabled n very