The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-13

Nj. EDWARD LINNEHAN
State Deputy, Knights of Columbus,
hundred years ago there was but one
priest, one church and a handful of
Catholics who came from distances is
now an archdiocese. The seat of car
dinalate, and seven suffragan sees, with
692 priests in the diocese of Boston
alone, 1t Is the most Catholic city in
these United States today.
There were 223 delegates present
at the supreme convention, representing
the largest Catholic American organ
ization ever formed. They came from
every part of this great country of
ours, from Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Porto
Rico, the Islands of Hawaii and the
far away Philippines, and the welcome
that they received was most gracious
and hospitable indeed. The official well
come of the church and the archdiocese
was felfcttously extended by Right
Rev. Joseph G.. Anderson, auxiliary
bishop and vicar general representing
the cardinal. and the municipality was
ably represented by Mayor John Z.
Fitzgerald, who spared no pains in
making the visit of the knights and
their friends one to be long remembered
with pleasure.
lhc AIdFiy ATTlNdlS
The mayor in his address of welcome
spoke briefly of the sufferings, hard
ships and trials of the eearly settlers of
the Irish race in the old Bay State, He
said that owing to their environments
in the old land and to the cruelty and
persecution that forced them to leave
their native homes, they were not of
la high degree of intellectually and
upon reaching foreign shore they
J were compelled to accept any work that
was offered to them and 1t was usually
of the most mental and servile kind
They dug the sewers, they hewed down
the forests, they built the railroads
and mills and they titled the fields but
by the faithful performance of what
ever duty was assigned them, by fair
and honest dealings by observance of
the laws of the land and by their great
devotion to their faith they soon won
the respect of their neighbors and sue
ceeded in a marked degree in uproot-
ing bigotry, silencing ridicule and re-
moving the awful prejudice that existed
against them.
BY many sacrifices, by small savings
from their scant wages they were en-
abled TO give their children a fair edu-
cation and today their sons are own
ers, presidents and managers on the
railroads and farms and in the mills
and factories in which their fathers
toiled. They are in the front ranks of
the professions, and holding high posi-
lions of trust in every honorable oc-
cupation and walk of life. The cardinal
and the mayor are both patriotic sons
of that grand old race, they are both
true and loyal sons of this great re-
public. they are both honored membe RS
of our beloved order, they are both
loved, honored and respected by men
or every class and creed in the old Bay
State because they rule with Justice,
love and tolerance towards all.
Supreme knight Flaherty in re-
spending to the address of welcome ex-
pressed the hope that the delegates in
returning to their respective homes
would remember wei the may
or's words and that inspired by the
splendid sermon of the bishop and the
solemn and impressive ceremonies of
the morning, and encouraged by what
had been accomplished by their broth
ers of the Irish race in the new ireland
of the east. they would work with
renewed vigor, patience and persever-
ance until like conditions prevailed In
every part of the land.
1.-THE reports of the supreme officers
showed that splendid progress had been
made in many directions during the
past year and that the order was hon.
ored by the character of the men 1t had
chosen to do its work. Reports from
many sections proved that bigotry,
hatred and prejudice of our faith still
lives and that daily attacks are being
made upon our religion by vile, filthy
and illegitimate press.
1T is our duty then as true and
valiant knights to put on our armor
and never kive up the fight until the
last of these evils have vanished from
our midst. The knights of Columbus
have outlined plans along educational
lines that will have a far-reaching
effect towards that much desired event,
and every Catholic man, woman and
child can assist them by patronizing the
Catholic press. supporting the Catholic
school, and by the example of honest,
pure and decent lives.
I'VE are often asked what is the pur-
i pose of the knights of Columbus? What
4 good have they accomplished? Cardinal
Gibbons has answered that question
for us. Hear what he has to say: "A few
weeks ago at Milwaukee in congratu-
lating the American Federation of
Catholic societies for the good
that they had accomplished through
out the length and breadth Of
this land. he said. If 1 may single out
one society without prejudice to the
others, will mention in a special man
ner that splendid organization, the
knights of Columbus. They are our
tjoy and our crown. They are the glory
of Jerusalem. They are the joy of
Israel. They are the honor of our peo-
pie. Wherever calumny raises it's foul
head they are ever ready, like true
knights to smite the enemy. Whenever
an appeal is made in the cause of re-
ligion or charity, they are always fore
most in lending a helping hand
Il may be pardoned for adding that
it was due to the tireless efforts of the
Knights of Columbus that the gov
eminent of this country appropriated a
quarter of a million dollars for the
erection of the splendid monument to
Columbus. which adorns the nations
capitol today, and 1t was due to their
good work that we are enabled to join
with our brothers in 80 other states
tonight to celebrate the legal holiday
that has been created in honor of his
name, and I may add further that we
will never rest until every state in the
Union has fallen into line"
Other Speakers
Next ON the programme was Father
Coyle, who responded to the toast, Cath
olicity in the Birmingham District The
reverend father had Just returned from a
two months visit to ireland and was
greeted by hearty applause He first
sketched the wonderful material progress
? of Brmingham--a city with population
row of nearly 100000. He then told of
the great progress made by Catholcty