Kentucky Irish American., 1914-03-14
LOVED THE IRISH.
why the Patrick
Evidence Of Cordial That Existed Bewe
linn and His Supporters.

Taylor and Thornton we're Of Irish
birth, and that Rutledge, Carroll,
Lynch, Mexican and Reed Gall signers
of the Declaration of independence
we're of Irish descent. The man who
read aloud the Declaration on the
birth-morning of the republic was
Charles Thompson, born in ireland.
As another evidence of the cordial
relation existing between him and
the Catholics he accepted member
ship in the Society of the Friendly
Sons OF st. Patrick, which was COM
posed mostly OF Catholics. This was
in December, 1891. Washington was
unanimously adopted as a Friendly
Son Of St. Patrick. In January,
1882, the society gave a special din
ner at the City Tavern in Phila-
delphia in honor OF Washington,
which he attended together with his
stan and.the most distinguished Cen
erals OF the allied armies of America
and France
On the occasion OF the election of
Washington as President of the
United States, the Catholics of the
country delivered to him an address
.of eongratulation, expressing their
pleasure and Joy at his being chosen
the first President of the nation
which he had saved. This patriotic
address was signed on behalf of the
Catholic clergy Of the United States
by the Right Rev. John Carroll, and
on behalf OF the Catholic laity by
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Daniel
Carroll of Maryland, Dominick Lynch
of New York and Thomas Fitzslm-
mons OF Pennsylvania.
On March IL. 1890, Washington
replied as follows:
"To the Roman Catholics in the
United States-Gentlemen While
now receive with much satisfaction
your congratulations on my being
called by an unanimous vote to the
first station in my country, can not
but duly notice your politness in Of
fering an apology for the unavoid-
able delay AS that delay has given
you an opportunity of realizing, in
stead of anticipating, the benefits of
the General Government, you will do
me the justice to believe that your
testimony OF the increase of the pub
lie prosperity enhances the pleasure
which / should otherwise have ex-
perienced from your affectionate
address.
81 feel that my conduct, in war
and in peace, has met with more
general appreciation than could
reasonably have been expected, and
! find myself disposed to consider
that fortunate circumstance, in
great degree, resulting from the able
support and extraordinary candor OF
my fellow citizens of all denomina-
tions. The prospect of national
now before us is truly
animating, and ought to excite the
exertions OF all good men to estab-
lish and secure the happiness Of their
country in the permanent duration
Of its freedom and independence.
under the smiles of Divine
the protection of a good
and the cultivation of
manners, morals and piety, can not
fail OF attaining an uncommon de-
gree OF eminence in literature, COM
lltIEkt improvements dN
homo and respectability abroad.
"As mankind becomes more lib
sral, they will be more apt to allow |
that all those who conduct them
selves as worthy members of the |
are equally entitled to the |
protection OF civil government, I
hope ever to see America among the !
foremost nations in examples OF
Justice and liberality. And pre-
sumo that your fellow-citizens will |
not forget the patriotic part which |
you took in the accomplishment OF |
heir Revolution and the establish
nent OF your Government, or the inn
Dortant assistance which they re-
,eived from a nation in which the
Roman Catholic faith is professed. |
thank you, gentlemen, for your |
Kind concern for me. While my life |
and my health shall continue, in /
whatever situation may be. it shall
be my constant endeayor to Justify /
he favorable sentiments which you |
ire pleased to express OF my conduct. /
And may the members OF your so
,iety I'm America, animated alone by |
ne pure spirit VI NhiAntldhlhgs dhh \
still conducting themselves as the /
faithful subjects OF our free govern
nent. enjoy every temporal and !
jpiritual felicity"
Upon the death OF Washington
,ulogies we're pronounced from every
Catholic pulpit in the United States.
md funeral services we're held in
heir respective churches on Febru-
Try 22, 1900, I'm commemoration OF