Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13
FRANEI5 J]MIKEMfN THE
WASHINGTON IKN AT TIE HEAD
OF THE PROJECT

the peaceful army Of invasion of 1910.
or will you he one OF the children who
seeing the arms of the motherland
stretched forth in mother love, viii turn
and run away"
September 10 1908 Mr.. Kilkenny ad-
dressed a communication to the District
president Of the Ancient order of Hiber-
mans in which he set forth easons show
ing that the time was opportune for a
general home-gong Of the Irish-Ameri-
cans. This letter, after considerable dis
cussion, was finally Endorsed and refer
red to the national body of that order.
which unanimously Endorsed Mr.. kilken-
nys idea during August last at their
meeting at Quebec. Such an indorse-
ment by an organization that numbers
two million members was bound TO give
the movement a sudden, tangible i'm
petus.
Inquiries came pouring in from all parts
of the United States and Canada and
the matter was growing too rapidly for
one man to handle it satisfactorily. Ac-
cordingly, May Is, 1909. Mr.. Kilkenny
called meeting in Washington. ID. c.. for
the purpose Of organizing a body later
known as the Irish Home-Going Associa-
ton, so that definite plans might be made
for the great pilgrimage. At this meeting
Mr. Kilkenny mentioned that in July he
expected to return to his native land TO
visit his parents. He was asked to act
as the associations delegate. make ar
rangements for the home-going and ascer-
tain how the project would be viewed by
those on the other side. During the sum-
mer he made a tour of the principal cities
of Ireland, interviewing and being In
tefviewed and each day becoming more
and more enthusiastic over the poSsibil-
tiles of the movement. Just before he had
sailed from America he had been made
president OF the association. so he was
endowed with authority to speak in an
official capacity.
The heavy expenses OF his trip--travel
ing from town to town. hotel bills and
a hundred other incidental expenses
were paid out OF his own pocket. The
project covered Ireland like wildfire. The
plan was welcomed as the greatest in a
quarter Of century. Ireland was jub-
liant! Now, she is already quivering with
the thrill OF expectation, already getting
her house in order for her great army
OF guests. Wide-awake to the possibil-
titles of such an invasion. she will see TO
1t that her visitors have no cause to
complain of her hospitality. To all she
promises a royal good time. and she
means to live up to that promise. She
Is keenly alive to what this homecoming
will mean to her. America stands for
stage when she comes boldly out and
says: I'VE want to learn. Teach
us your new methods. Let us share
with you the ideas that have made
for your success" American capital will
be taken into the country and there In
vested. 1t has been said that mo one ur-
derstands an Irishman like an Irfshman'
With up-to-date Irish Americans at the
head of the factories, the mills, the shops
who fully understand the various phases
OF the Irish temperament, Ireland hopes
to get results.
Naturally, the engineering Of such a
project is a stupendous task. Mr. Kill
kenny has been greatly assisted in the
work by the secretary-treasurer of the or
ganization. Joseph d. Sullivan. who has
been untiring in his efforts not only in
attending to the voluminous correspond
ence and answering numerous questions
but also in stimulating enthusiasm. Like
Mr. Kilkenny. he has most willingly do
mated his services.
Among those actively interested In tho
home-gofng movement are Richard Crok-
er, Thomas F. Walsh, John Mitchell Dr.
Maurice Francis Egan, DR.. John Cava-
naugh. John ID. Crimmins, Andrew Mack
and Chauncey Olcott.
The Irish-American women are thor
oughly aroused too. One OF them re-
Gently wrote to Mr.. Kilkenny as follows:
Bravo for you! Not since the days of
ST. Patrick has anything been started
like this! Bravo for you.''