Evening star., 1909-07-02
WILL VISIT old ERIN
Irish Home-Going Pilgrimage
Planned.
LEAGUE Is ORGANIZED
Officers Elected at Meeting in Car
roll Institute.
INFORMATION TO BE GATHERED
Much Interest in the Movement
Shown by Letters From Through
out the Country.
INFORMATION TO BE GATHERED

The proposed Irish home-going pill
grimage. which was trst proposed by
Francis J Kilkenny and which has been
discussed by Irishmen all over the coun-
try for several months past. was made
a certainty at Carroll Institute Hall last
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 Ireland next sum-
mer and to arrange rates on the trans
atlantic steamship lines. Mr.. Kilkenny
and DR.. 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 correspondence and
it was found necessary to have regular
organization to bear the expenses OF the
movement. The membership fee is II.
the fund obtained from the dues to be
expended. for running expenses. Head
quarters will be opened in Washington
and literature will be prepared and sent
out all over America and Canada. The
officers chosen last night are the follow
ing:
President general. Francis J. Kilkenny;
III ST SlCS pIcSldcllt SclSi dis NAoi oit,
third vice president general. JOIN J.
Coughlin; fourth vice president general,
P. j. Haltigan; fifth vice president gen
eral Representative T. T. Ansberry OF
Ohio; general treasurer. William F,
Downey; general secretary, Joseph d.
Object of the Movement.
In outlining the general plan for the
pilgrimage Mr.. Kilkenny said last night:
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 legisla-
ton generally, and especially to the re-
lief given the tenants in Ireland through
the land bill of 1903, enabling them to
own their own farms. The people of Ire
land are now improving their holdings
without fear of being taxed by the land
lords for improvements.
"The main idea underlying the home
going to Ireland movement" Mr.. Kill
kenny said, lis to give the visitors an
opportunity for observing conditions as
they really exist In Ireland. Much has
been written and much will be written
of Ireland's poverty and Ireland's riches,
but these descriptions are not half as
vivid or impressive as the actual sight
of the conditions themselves.
'"rhis movement, therefore, offers an
opportunity to the sons and daughters OF
Ell
childhood, to give word of cheer where
needed. and to demonstrate to those who
still remain to preserve the old tradi-
tions; that we are all interested in the
land of our forefathers. in its people and
in the preservation of it's natural beauty
One striking fact comes out in the ofti-
cial statistics, and that is that the total
emigration Of the Irish people from May
l, 1861, when the enumeration was COM
menced, to December 81. 1908, practically
equals the present population of the coun-
try, being more than 100000"
Opening for Investment.
After further review Of conditions Mr..
Kilkenny said:
1.-The mercantile mind Of Ireland must
be awakened; the Irish merchant 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 country. American capital can
be profitably invested in Irish factories
and Irish stores, Irish linens. lace, WOOL
ems tWeeds, frieze and kindred industries
can be easily developed to high state Of
efficiency.
ireland offers to the manufacturer many
attractive inducements for profitable re-
turns for capital invested. Not only is the
capital of Irish-Americans needed, but
their skill and experience in the use of
modern methods and devices will prove
to be of invaluable service in the indus
trial awakening which is now just be-
ginning to dawn in the old Land.