The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-22


 ceased to be a mere gathering of dele gates representing the various states. It has evolved into a grand reunion of ohr people and the geographic ioca- tion of Chicago made it possible to be particularly large and repreeen- tative reunion. And it was representa- tive in every sense of the word.
 "The men and women assembled there represented all the physical charms of the race they represented It was an ideal gathering of Irish womanhood beautiful in face, grace full in carriage, charming in manner and ideal in character. The men were princely ancestors. There was evil dence of material prosperity on every side; indeed speaking of the men par ticularly, one of the Chicago newspa- per men put it rather graphically when he said of them @'I tell you they have every appearance of being a well fed and well kept bunch.'
 But above and beyond all that they represented the intelectuality of the Irish race. Eminent clerics princes of our Holy church, great legal minds, some of the greatest in our country time from their exacting duties to help to guide the -destinies of our or der ir that great assemblage.
 ''Yes my friends it was truly repre- sentative and it's every act was char acteristic of the traditions and ideals of the race it represented. It's initial act was an expression of filial devo- tion to His Holiness by cablegram. In it's declaration of principles, as per resolutions adopted, it declared at the very outset it's unSwerving loyalty and devotion to Mother Church, and it further expresses it's gratitude to the Hierarchy and Priest of the ir, @Joi frx1 &Ia iIafo est, cooperation and hearty support they have given our. order.
 And then as to Motherland, they congratulate the people at home on the progress that is being made to- ward obtaining some measures of self government and on the vast strides that are being made by our kindred in the old land industrially, socially and educationally. But it declares in no faItering terms that nothing short of absolute independence can ever be considered at home or abroad as the final settlement of the Irish question. The memory of Tone and Emmet will ever be fond1y revered and the princi- ples for which they died will not be abandoned by Irish Nationaists even after the object for which they died is accomplished.
 "And. surely nothing can be more characteristic of an Irish assemblage
  It is opposed to Socialism in all it's forms regarding it as un-American unchristian and an uncalled for att tempt on the part of it's misguided ad- vocates to tear down and disrupt our free institutions of which, as Aneri- can citizens, we are justly proud.
 And so this declarati of princir pie goes on touching every phase of human existence and every phase of usefulness in which this grand old society of ours is active. Framed as it was by a master hand it leaves nothing untouched that will leave any uncertainty as to the. character, the purposes, the ideals or the motives Of the A. O. H..
 And lest there be any question .on this point let me emphasize just what the oxder represents It is composed of nearly a quarter of million men and women who are Intensely Irish, ardently Catholic and thoroughly Am erican They love Ireland and strive to keep alive the characteristics and ideals Of the Irish people ;.a they are devoted to the faith eof their fathers and they are loyal to the core to the land of their adoption. Their fore fathers fought, bled and died for civ il and religious liberty9in the old Land and the exiled Gael has taken this spirit with him to every quarter of the Globe And it is mainly to keep this spirit alive that this spirit ex- r ists to the end that some day, and pray God it may be soon, it's efforts will bear fruit and the land. of their fathers will take her place among the nations of the Earth
 Toastmaster Cullinan then introduc- ed Mayor Wilson and in calling atten- ton to the fact that the mayor is yet unmarried, a fact that has been great ly commented upon during the sessions of the convention and especially when | the ladies were in attendance, occa- stoned much amusement.
 When the mayor arose the singing section began the song "I Want g Girl" The mayor stated that the song was in full accord with his sentiments and particularly at this time because he had seen many ladies in attendance at the convention who would answer that description.' At this statement | the singing section struck up, Sounds l to Me Like the Truth.
 l The mayor said that the toastmas l ter seemed well versed in "Agrs machree,'' and he then extended agair l a most cordial welcome to the dele,
 gates and visitors. .'If had my way the visitors of these last two days would remain here; we want you. Anc l then-perhaps-I don't know and the cheering section sang, He's Al Right The mayor did not fully state what might happen if all the young l women remained in Bridgeport, bu the audience inferred a great deal. In 2 more serious vein he paid a high tri butte to the worth of the Irish people O Bridgeport, the large part they have played in making it the magnificent city it is their fidelity to principles 1 and their .steadfastness to the church which has rendered so much aid il spreading enlightenment in this coun l try. They have at all times dont their part, he said, and will in the flu ture do their part in making Bridge
 port the first city in the state. II 1 conclusion he said he hoped that thi' ] visit will prove so pleasant that thu 1 delegates will want to come again
 and f'it will be a delight to have yo' | repeat"
 After. solos by Mir. Mahoney Rev
 Fr. Flanneryg spoke. He said in hi | splendid address: .7. ,.'1c-.. .'.',
 sst'fWhens toldsFa friend of mine tha 1 I thought of talking tonight on Trisl l Influence, he asked me whom I wa, going 'Tto. try to get on the force
 Through malicious and jocose per-
 version r knew that the words Irisl Influence may have a sinister sense ] Often no doubt they have been em l ployed as a battle cry by men anx | iouG to stir racial animosity I 'sForgetting this narrow pervertet | sense, what wish to draw to your at | tention is what I might term Irish in l fluence on American evolution. A times we are compelled to stand or l the defensive and asked to give req 1 sons why anything not bearing thu | lGn~RQlInd nh1PC