Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-07-29
Diamond Jubilee Year of the
Ancient Order Brings
Tribute.
Copy OF Original Charter Is
Splendid Specimen OF
Catholicity.
GROWTH OF ORDER IS STEADY

This is the seventy-fifth ami
Iversary or diamond jubilee year of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians in
this country. No particular date has
been set for the appropriate celebra-
ton of the occasion in Louisville, but
it is probable that the County Board
will take up the matter in due time.
The first division of the order was
established in New York in 1885. Its
growth has been large and steady,
particularly in the Central and New
England States Here are the fig
ures compiled by the National Hi
bernian from the reports of National
officers:
Membership of the A. o. H.,
10000.
Membership of the A. o. II.
Juveniles, 10000.
Membership of the L. A. A. o. H.,
$4,000.
Membership of the L. A. A. o. H.
Juveniles, 1000.
Values of A. o. H. real estate,
81, ,002, 900.
Values of A. o. H. personal prop
erty, $2OO,3OO.
Value of L. A. A. o. II. personal
property, $49,132.5S.
Cash in division treasures, A. o.
H., $1,153, ,030.49.
Cash in division treasures, l.. A.
A. o. H., $291,545.75.
| Expended for charity, sickness and
death, A. o. H., 1909, 81, ,160, 0,932.51.
Expended for charity, sickness and
death, L. A. A. o. H., 1909,
$SSS,O19.2O.
The Right Rev. Monsignor
Thomas ]. Shahan, rector of the
Catholic University, Washington, D.
c., describes the charter upon which
the order was founded in this country
as document that breathes an
apostolic spirit. at is" he says, "as
good a patent of nobility as was ever
conferred by King or Kaiser, for
there is wanting in it no essential Of
the Christian religion, no element of
our liberal modern humanity" This
charter sent to the few Hibernians
then in New York breathes the true
irish spirit of faith, tenderness and
fraternity, and in principle is sur
passed by no organization in the
world. Here is the foundation upon
which the Ancient Order was builded
and has since flourished:
"All members must be Roman
Catholics and Irish or Irish descent,
and of good moral character. and
none of your members shall join in
any secret societies contrary to the
laws of the Catholic church, and at
all times and all places your motto
shall be- Friendship, Unity and
True Christian Charity
"You must love without dissim-
ulation, hating evil, cleaving to good.
Love one another with brotherly
love, without preventing one another;
let the love of brotherhood abide in
YOU, and forget not hospitality to
your emigrant brother that may land
on your shores, and we advise you,
above all things, have natural charity
among yourselves.
ALSO be it known unto you that
our wish and prayer is that when
You form your society, in many cities
or towns, you viii do all that is in
your power to aid and protect your
Irish sisters from all harm and
temptation. AS the Irish woman is
known for her chastity all over the
world; some Of them may differ frc
you in religion, but, brothers, bear
I'm mind that our good Lord died for
all, therefore be It known unto you
that our wish is that you do all that
you can for the Irish emigrant girls,
no matter who they may be, and God
will reward you in your new eoun-
try, and doing this you will keep up
the high standing and honor OF the
irish in America.
eve send these instructions TO
YOU, hoping yol will carry them out
to the best OF your ability. BE it
known unto you that you are at
liberty to make such laws as VIII
guide your workings and for the vel
fare OF our old society, but sueh
laws must be at all times according
to the teachings Of the Holy Cathc
church, and the obligation that we
send you, and all of your workings
must be submitted to any Catholic
priest. when called for. We send
YOU these instructions, as we prom
lsed TO do, with young man that
WOfkS on the snip, anu "ho SoAeN ""
you before. Send copy to our late
friend that you spoke OF and who Is
now working in Pennsylvania. Hop
ing the bearer and this copy viii
land safe. and that you will treat
him right. We remain your brothers
I'm the true bonds OF friendship, this
fourth day Of May, in the year OF
our Lord 1896"
The Ancient order has been fore
most in works Of charity and In the
cause of Catholic education. They
have made generous donations TO the
Catholic University and 10 the Cath
Olic Church Extension Society, and
everywhere have been the guardian
and protector Of those who had to
follow them. This jubilee is one