Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-25
IRISH LEADER
Matthew Cummings Is Again Chosen NatOHal President of
 the BiberDIaDs
CELTIC GIVEN TRIBUTE

| Matthew Cummings of Boston, pres
 ent incumbent, and J. E. Dolan oi
 Syracuse. N r., were the candidates
 proposed.
 As Dolan was president for foul
 years immediately preceding Cum
 mings's administration, the delegates
 knew both men and understood that
 they were voting on policies as well
 as for individuals. MT Dolan asked
 to be heard. He declared that he was
 in favor of the indorsement and moral
 support of the parliamentary party
 led by John Redmond.
 President Cummings followed with
 statement that he believed the con
 vention bigger than himself or any
 candidate and he would stand by
 the policies of the convention.
 Cummings was chosen by vote of
 275 to 1S3. The Indianapolis News gives the Hibernians great send of
 in the following article: From Teuton to Celt. from Ger
 mania to Hibernia, from German
 Saengerfest to Irish feast of national
 kinship is one of the quick changes to
 which this city of conventions is ac-
 customed. The Ancient Order of Hi
 bernians is, however, much older
 organization than the singing society,
 for the first national Saengerfest was
 held in Germany in 1S45, while the
 Ancient Order of Hibernians dates
 back to 1700 in Ireland and to 1886
 in the United States. It is also one
 of the largest in membership as well
 as one of the oldest of all fraternal
 societies, and one of the broadest in
 its scope, for its aims include not
 merely good-fellowship and individ-
 ual benefits, but the higher interests of religion, the promotion of national
 ism and philanthropy equal to ev- cry emergency. Although its mem- bership is confined to persons of Irish
 birth or extraction and to members of the Catholic church, its philan-
 thropy is cosmopolitan. It was the first organization to make a donation on the occasion of the Galveston flood in 1900, and again the first when the San Francisco earthquake occurred. At present 1t has divisions in forty-two states, with a member ship of nearly 100000: and though the order is Irish in it's origin and name 1t is thoroughly American in spirit.
 Tn welcoming the Ancient Order of Hibernians to Indianapolis, 1t seems appropriate to recall the fact that, from the first beginnings of lib- erty in America, Ireland has contrib uted generously and effectively to the cause. This statement refers to Ire land, as whole, without reference to local organizations or religious dis which, indeed, do not de- serve to be considered. We are speak ing of Irish blood and of Irishmen to American soil. So we include the Protestant Scotch-Irish as well as the Irish Catholics, to both of whom America Is greatly indebted. In the early history of the country lrishmen were more numerously and identified with American affairs than were Germans. The | prominence of the latter dates from later years. though the Irish have not lost any ground, either, and the na- tional disposition and ability to be in the midst of things have changed.
 Irishmen were we'll represented in | the revolutionary army. both Protes- tants and Catholics, officers and pri- yates. Charles Carroll, a signer of he Declaration of Independence, was of old Irish stock. His cousin John Carroll, was a Catholic priest | and pa riot. General Knox. one of most trusted generals, vas an Irishman, so was Colonel John Stark. husband of Molly Stark By appointemnt of Washington, Gen sral Knox acted as commander-in- thief of the army during Washing on's absence at Princeton at the re- luest of congress. Tn the summer 'f ITS congress ordered the rais- ng of several regiments in Penn iylvania, and. among the rest, gave 'OlOnels' commission to Anthony Wayne, William Irving. William Thompson, Walter Stewart. Stephen 'ioylan and Richard Butler. all Irish nen. Colonel Butler had five sons n the patriot army and General safayei te once said tat whenever he wanted anything we'll done he 'ot a Butler to do it.' Commodore 'ohn Barry. the first Of that rank in he American navy. was a native of reland. He has been styled The rather of the American Navy" Shaw and Stewart 'oth distinguished in the war of s12. were Hishmen.
 And 90 it has been in every var nd through all the years. Many ages of this paper might be filled Tith the names of Irish or Irish americans who have gained distinc- lon In peace or In war. and uho ave contributed 10 the glory, great ess and prosperity of fhe country. . 1gs9. after WashinKton-s first lection as president. a delegation | f Roman Catholics called 10 con- ratulste him. In his reply 10 their i ddress Washington expressed the ope that your feliowcitizers uiil ot forget the patriotic psrt which on took Ia tne s.sblishmeuf of aeir government and added his , rayer that the members of vour 1ciesy fn America. animated alone ' the pure spirit of Chrisfsinisy. ad conducting them useives as the Iifhful subjects of our free govern Ie1t. may continae 10 enjoy tenuor-
 and spiritual felicity Tn fha. ,irtt we greet the members of the , acIent Order of HfberniansL