Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1914-06-20
state and County Presidents and
Large Gathering Witness
Ceremony.
Hon. Edward j. O'Brien De-
Hvered Interesting and In
structive Address.
DIVISION 3 GETS HIGH PRAISE

Last Sunday was indeed a record
making day for the Hibernians of
Louisville and Kentucky, one that
will ever stand out in the history of
the Ancient Order. Early in the
afternoon and long before the hour
arranged for the dedication of the
imposing new home of Division 3,
located at Eighteenth and Portland
avenue, the members, friends, neigh
bors and well wishers of the grand
old order thronged the grounds and
handsome building. When the as
semblage was called to order at
$3.50 o'clock by President John NJ.
Maloney the seating capacity of the
pretty meeting hall was taxed to its
full capacity and many stood in the
ante-rooms throughout the interest
ing and inspiring exercises that fol-
lowed.
The meeting was opened with a
very appropriate prayer by the
County Chaplain, the Very Rev.
James P. Cronin, Vicar General of
the diocese. After President
Maloney had explained the object
and purpose of the meeting State
President Patrick j. Welsh and
County President William j. Con-
nelly were introduced, and in their
addresses they congratulated the
members and committees who were
In charge of the work of establish
ing a permanent home for the Hi
bernians of Louisville and Jefferson
county. Letters of congratulations
and good wishes from Hibernian
officials and members throughout
the State were then read.
The principal speaker of the oc-
casion was Hon. e. j. O'Brien, one
of the leading members of Division
3, who delivered an interesting and
Instructive address. After first re-
citing the history of the division
from its organization on October 16,
1884, up to the present time, giving
the names of the charter members
and long list of Presidents in the
years that followed, he commended
the spirit that prevailed and pro-
duced such gratifying results. Mr..
O'Brien dwelt at length upon the
progress of home rule for Ireland,
stating that 1t was at last an assured
fact, no matter how vigorously or
bitterly it might still be opposed by
the House of Lords. He enumerated
in an entertaining manner the great
and lasting benefits that would flow
to the people of the Irish race in
securing home rule, and declared
that the opposition of the Ulsterites
was of little or no significance. He
closed his address by reading a por-
ton of Robert Emmet's statement
from the dock, and said it was now
possible and almost timely to write
his epitaph according to his last
wishes.
Very Rev. Father Cronin blessed
the new home and delivered a splen-
did address to the members illus
trating how the home of Division 3
was glowing example of what was
possible when there was unity and
harmony in their work. He
earnestly requested the members to
ever thus work together in peace
and good will. urging them to be
true to the principles of the order.
and II would necessarily follow that
they would be good members, good
citizens and good Catholics.
Father Cronin's instructions will
be strictly observed, and II is re-
gretted that his address could not
nave Dccu uedTu Dy every monDeI Ol
the order. Upon motion of Magis-
trate p. T. Sullivan a rising vote of
thanks was rendered the County
Chaplain for the great favor he had
bestowed upon the division.
Ex-National Director George ].
Butler and ex-county President
Thomas Quinn, of the home building
committee, told how the great work
was accomplished and of the present
financial status OF Division 3. Pat
rick Holly, the Oldest President of
Division 3; James p. Barry, OF Di-
vision 1, and several other mem
bers. including Martin Ford, one OF
the charter members, made short
but encouraging talks, following
which the meeting was closed with
prayers. The remarks OF the speak
ers during the entire afternoon were
received with ringing applause, and
II was perhaps the most enthusiastic
gathering Of Hibernians ever held