Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-17
Will VISIT Old ERIN
HoME.eoINe PILGRIMAGE TO
MOTHER LAND PLANNED FOR
THE IRISH.
PROMOTION LEAGUE
HAS BEEN ORGANIZED

sred-Much Interest Shown In the
Movement.
The intended Irish home going pil.
grimage, which was first proposed by
Francis ]. Kilkenny and which has
been discussed by Irishmen all over
the United States for several months
past, was made certainty at Carroll
Institute hall in Washington the other
night. A permanent organization was
formed, and plans were outlined for
the pilgrimage, which will be made In
1910.
The organization is to be known as
the Irish Home Going Pilgrimage
league. Its purpose is to gather all
information regarding events In Ire
land next summer and to arrange rates
on the transatlantic steamship lines
Mr.. Kilkenny and DIR. P. ]. Lennox
were appointed to VISIT Ireland this
summer and prepare the way to next
years pilgrimage.
Since Mr.. Kilkenny began stirring up
interest in the home going movement
he has been swamped by correspond
ence, and it was found necessary to
have regular organization to bear the
expenses of the movement. The men,
bership fee is 81, the fund obtained
from the dues to be expended for run
ming expenses. Headquarters will be
opened in Washington, and literature
will be prepared and sent out all over
America and Canada. The officers
chosen are the following:
President general, Francis j. Kill
kenny; first vice president general, P
]. Moran; third vice president general,
John ]. Coughlin; fourth vice president
general, P. j. Haltigan; fifth vice pres
idenr general, Representative T. T..
Ansberry of Ohio; general treasurer,
William 3. Downey; general secretary,
Joseph D. Sullivan.
In outlining the general plan for the
pilgrimage Mr.. Kilkenny said:
"Few people realize today the
changes wrought In Ireland for the
betterment and uplifting Of its people.
This is due in large measure to the
reform legislation generally, and espe-
cially to the nelief given the tenants In
Ireland through the land bill Of 1903,
enabling them to own their own farms.
The people of Ireland are now tmprov-
ing their holdings without fear Of be-
ing taxed by the landlords for improve
ments.
"The main idea underlying the home
going to Ireland movements is to give
the visitors an opportunity for observ-
ing conditions as they really exist in
Ireland. Much has been written and
much will be written of Ireland's pow
erty and Ireland's riches, but these de-
scriptions are not half as vivid or i'm
pressive as the actual sight of the con-
ditions themselves.
"This movement therefore offers an
opportunity to the sons and daughters
of Erin to return to the scenes of their
childhood, to give a word Of cheer
where needed and to demonstrate to
those who still remain to preserve the
old traditions that we are all interest
ed in the land Of our forefathers, in its
people and in the preservation Of its
natural beauty. One striking fact
comes out in the official statistics, and
that is that the total. emigration Of the
Irish people from May /, 1851, when
the enumeration was commenced, to
Dec. 81, 1908. practically equals the
present population Of the country, be-
Ing more than 100000"
After further review Of conditions
Mr.. Kilkenny said:
'The mercantile mind Of Ireland
must be awakened. The Irish mer-
chant and business man must be won
over to the point Of view Of their own
real interests. Representative Irish
Americans can do much to encourage
commercial relations with this coun-
try. American capital can be profit
ably invested In Irish factories and
Irish stores. Irish linens, lace, woolens,
tweeds, frieze and kindred industries
can be easily developed to high state
IF efficiency.
ireland offers to the manufactures
many attractive inducements for profit
able returns on capital invested. Not
only is the capital Of Irish Americans
needed, but their skill and experience
In the use Of modern methods and de-
vices will prove to be Of invaluable
service in the Industrial awakening
which is now just beginning to dawn
in the old land "-Washington Star.