The Irish standard., 1914-08-15
HYPHENATED AMERICANS


HYPHENATED AMERICANS
The Western World of Des Moines
takes severely to task that brand of
Americanism which desires to place
hyphen between the native land
of the immigrant and his new found
home. and rebukes very severely the
Carnegie type of Americanism when
commenting upon the Irish and their
place in American history. Referring
to the recent address of Past Nation
al President, James ]. Regan, at the
national convention in Norfolk, Va,
when he made reference to hyphen-
ated Americans. the editor of the
Western World makes the follow
ing editorial comment.
A. O. H. Principles.
I'm his address at the opening of
the A. o. H. convention at Norfolk,
Va, National President James j. Re-
gan took occasion to say: 1--WE are
Americans in every sense of the
word. We are not hyphenated
Americans. There were no hyphens
at Lexington and Valley Forge. Sar-
atoga or New Orleans. When we
and our people came to this land we
did not come in any half-hearted
measure; we brought no treason
from Erin. South and North, our
record stands forth. So we make no
apology"
Surely the record stands forth,
clear and unmistakeable, that i:lsh
Catholics have made in the history
of this country. The fundamental
principle of the Ancient Order is
fidelity to God and country, a princi-
pie adhered to in all lands, as well
as at home in Ireland. where this
great order had its origin. The ut
terance of Mr.. Regan recally reply
made recently by Very Rev. Canon
Ryan of Tipperary, to Catholic
English peer. Lord DenbiGh.
Like the Duke of Norfolk and
many other English "Cawtholics.
Lord Denbigh is u Tory end an en-
envy of Home Rule. One Of The en-
hibitions he has made OF his oni-
Irish sentiments was when he '..e-
nounced" the Ancient Order of Hi
bernians as a "pernicinus organiza-
ton" OF course. from the crooked
angle at which Tories view Irish
patriotic feelings and movements,
this society is just that: per
nicious organization" 1t is a relent-
less foe of English injustice and op-
preston and always has been.
But the Ancient Order is one OF
the most intensely Catholic societies
in the world. Canon Ayan cites the
opinion held by the Archbishop OF
Cashel, Most Rev. DR.. Hart.', in re-
gard to the A. o. II. Here it is: We
have no truer defenders of our re-
ligion, and no more ardent lovers of
our nation. Acting in perfect har-
nony with the laws Of the Church,
to which they are proud to belong,
they are a source of strength to
Faith and country"
This was spoken as expressive of
the Irish Catholic view. The great
society has been one Of the most
powerful factors in the old land in
keeping alive the Catholic Faith and
the patriotic aspirations of the peo-
pie. The same is true in America of
this great society. 1t is staunchly
and uncompromisingly Catholic in
its animating spirit, while it is just
as thoroughly American in it's patri-
otto devotion to the government and
institutions of the United States.
The love of A. O. H. members in Ire
land for that dear land, is not more
ardent and true and faithful than
the love of its American members for
the country Of their adoption. This
needs no proof that can be any
stronger than the proofs that have
been given since this government
was founded.
AS for English Tories, particularly
such Catholic Tories as Lord Den
bigh. they would destroy as per
nicious" what true and normal Cath
olics would cherish. II they were
real Catholics they would rejoice In
all agencies that help in the rise and
progress Of a Catholic people. which
has given an unexcelled example to
the Catholic world Of deathles love