The Washington herald., 1907-11-04
The IRISH
Mr.. Downing Strips Anglo,
SaxOnS Of Glory.
USURPING ALL THE CREDIT
Declares he Is Tired Hearing Ameri-
cans Claiming that the Anglo
saxon People Founded and Built
This Great Republic All by Them
seIves-SOeiaI of A. o. III.

In the course of the social Of Division
No. l, Ancient Order of Hibernians. held
yesterday afternoon and evening in
Eagles Hall. the Anglo-Saxon race got
one OF the most severe blows it has re-
ceived since Julius Caesar sailed over TO
Britain and laid hold of that island. It
all happened when Rosa F. Downing.
past State president Of the organization,
took occasion to notify all present that
the day was not far distant when all the
world will have 10 acknowledge that the
Anglo-Saxons haven't really done as
much toward the making Of the United
States as have the Irish.
Mr.. Downing said he was tired of hear
ing Americans. in conversation, through
the press and in other ways, give ali
credit for the foundation and upbuilding
Of a great nation on the American conti-
nent to the Anglo-Saxon race. He said
that if somebody would only go around
with a sort OF Diogenian lantern and look
into this matter. Il would be found that
at least one-third OF the people who have
been getting in good lcks in this cou1-
try, are Irishmen.
this fact Will soon be recognized univer-
sally. and that the credit will go to the
people to whom it belongs. Mr. Downing
also took the pro1ered opportunity to
score Irishmen in this country who are
not proud Of their lineage. and of the
fact that they are members OF the A.
o. II.
The social session yesterday afternoon
was preceded by a long business meet
ing. the regular one Of the current month.
The first speaker of the social part Of the
programme was Mr. Francis B. Sheehy,
State president. Mr.. Sheehy spoke of
the work that Division No / has done In
this city. and praised it highly He said
the order is one Of the greatest causes
for good in the city and that through II
many things for the advancement of the
church are being done.
following the remarks of Mr.. Downing.
Commissioner Of Labor Charles P.
Nell spoke briefly Mr. Nell heart
lily indorsed that part of Mr. Down
ing's speech in which the latter referred
to Irishmen who were ashamed 10 speak
out for the A. o. II. and the church Mr.
Nell started TO tell a story about a
bishop that Sounded very interesting. but
Mr.. Downing informed nm in a stage
whisper that there were reporters pres
ent. so the story retired from the stage
with Mr.. Neill
The commissioner did tell. though. why
his name isn't O'Neill, as il was given
by the presiding officer 10 the aud ence.
when I came North" said Mr. Neill-
Il used to live in the South. you know
about the first thing I was asked was
where was the o that belonged in front
OF my name. answered I didn't know
where ii was. but promised that on nv
return home I would find out from my
father. Well. I thought about that o
for long time, and when I got back
hcme / went 10 my father and asked
him what had become of it, He said:
My son, II they ask you that question
again, tell them that the NeiH branch is
the oldest OF the family The o was
added later"
The next speaker was Mr.. 2. J. Haiti
gan editor of the National Hibernian
Mr.. Haltigan made short speech, prais-
ing the order and Division / He called
attention to the fact that some day the
A. Q. II. will own a building in the Dis
trict. and said he considered this no
dream, but a tangible possibility. There
were several other speakers. Refresh
ments were served.