The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-07-14
RUMBLlNGs OF DIscoRD.
National President DoIan's Advice to
Hibernians.

Saratoga convention of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, strange rumors
come out of the west and from other
sections. Even from Ireland, letters
have come asking that the order in
America undertake to settle several
perplexing questions that affect various
Irish societies in that country. 1t is
charged in dispatches from oversee
that Joseph Devlin, NJ. P, has captur-
ed a section of the Irish Ancient Or
der and lis making it, and seeks to
make the entire order, abject slaves of
the Parliamentary party Speaking
of this the Western Catholic, of Chi
cago, and other Western journals as
sert that the oversee squabble will
likely come before the Saratoga con-
vention and cause split in the Amer
lean order.
Wishing to learn the truth with re-
gard to this rumor The Catholic Sun
recently sought out National President
James +. Dolan at Syracuse and re-
quested an interview. President Dolan
is a busy man but never too busy to lake
interest in Catholic Irish affairs. He
granted the request. whereupon this
query was put to him point blank:
Will the differences existing be-
tween the Hiberians of Ireland and
Great Britain be likely to be brought
into the National convention of the
Ancient Order of Hiberians in Ameri-
ca, to be held in Saratoga shortly?
No; l don't think they will. The
Ancient Order of Hiberians in Amer
lea is in no way connected with any
other society in the world of any name
or nature. 1 believe, however, our
organization would consider the advis-
ability of affiliating with the Hiberians
of Ireland and Great Britain, as we
have repeatedly informed them, if they
were all united; but, unfortunately, it
seems they are not. This question
was brought to the attention of the
national officers and directors at their
meeting held in Atlantic City last year,
and after considerable discussion it
was voted to leave all matters con-
corning foreign federation in the hands
of the national president ana it was
further voted that no federation be
entered into with the transatlantic Or
CARNATIONS until full and satisfactory
evidence had been given the nation
al president that complete unity exists
in the organizations in Ireland anG
Great Britain"
Mr.. Dolan further said that "all IT.
ishmen desiring to benefit the cause
of Ireland or assist in the advancement
of the Irish race either at home or
abroad should first, last and always. re-
member that by unity and not by dis
cord can they accomplish these ends It
would seem that the lessons of cen>
turtles are lost or entirely ignored be-
cause we have, as race, enough to
contend with without quarreline
among ourselves"
"A number of papers in the coun-
try are speaking with regard to your
acceptance of third term. What is
your position with regard to this ques-
ton? If your election at Saratoga
were unanimous, would you accept?"
Under those conditions could not
very we'll refuse, but am in no sense
seeking reelection. For four wears I
have labored to the best of my ability
in the interest of our organization and
the principles it represents. I hope
our members are satisfied with nv ef-
forts. I have been ably assisted by
the other national officers. I have re-
peatedly regretted my own inability
to represent the organization as +.
would like to see it represented. hope
therefore, that the delegates will elect
men who are the peers OF all others
in point of ability and social standing.
and who will have the same desire to
preserve peace and unity among our
people that we have had. The advance
ment of the Irish race is dear to every
man with drop of Irish blood in his
VEINS and under the banner of the
Ancient Order of Hiberians in Amer.
lea, as we'll as that of Australia. both
of which are firmly united, In their
respective countries, there is room
enough and glory enough for all r.
ishmen, and they can all find plenty of
opportunities to give ample evidence
of race unity. Personally, owe an
everlasting debt of gratitude to the
Catholic newspapers and periodicals
of this country. They have ably as
sisted in the work that we have tried
to carry on during the past four years
and We shall always be firm advocates
of the Catholic press"
This will, we take it, set at rest all
reports of an impending split at Sara
toga. The Hiberians of America will
pursue at present, as in the past, a
policy of hands off with regard to all
oversee disagreements. United them
selves, they ask their co-religionists
and race-brethren across the water to
get together and stay together as they
ought to do. 1t is very certain that
Irish Ireland can never poSn onvfh;,o