The Irish standard., 1915-12-11
INTEREST OF HIBERNIANS
IN AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
In a recent letter addressed

bernians. John O'Dea, State Secretaf.,
Of Pennsylvania, directs the attention
Of members to the interest Of the An.
cient Order of Hibernians in Irish
American citizenship. The thought
brought to the attention of the men,
bers is extremely practical and as the
letter is very timely too much empha-
sis cannot be placed on the many man
ifestations Of loyalty and interest ex-
hibited by Irish Americans, particu-
larly by members of the Ancient Or
der of Hibernians, in the welfare and
prosperity of the United States. No
deeds are more glorious; no desires
more chivalrous; no bravery more he.
roic than that displayed by men and
women Of the Irish race in the defence
and interest of their adopted country.
It is the desire of the Ancient Order
Of Hibernians at this time to bring to
the attention of those who have neglect
ed it, the matter of American Citizen
ship, and the necessity of obtaining the
proper naturalization papers on the
part of those who, for some reason or
another, or on account of circum-
stances peculiar to them, have neglect
ed to do so, up to this time. The con-
tents of the letter, the questions asked,
the practical application of patriotic
interest displayed in the letter Of Mr..
O'Dea makes it particularly valuable
as further evidence of Hibernian inter-
est in American Citizenship, and de-
sire on the part of the Order to dis
charge patriotic duty. Referring to
the interest of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians in promoting American Cit
izenship. Mr.. O'Dea writes:
In the preamble of the Constitution
of our Order occurs these words:
Every virtue of Christian citizenship
for which the Irish race is renowned
shall be fostered."
In these words is contained the most
glorious trait of our race. We may
have our personal defects, but our pub
lie virtues have never been challenged.
These public virtues have been ex-
hibited in our history in a manner so
splendid as to excite the admiration
of mankind. It is not alone in mill
tary form that these virtues have be-
come so powerful as to change the
course Of our destiny; but in the long
and unsubduable struggle for Nation
ality we have tested our steadfastness
to lofty principles of patriotism in a
trial so terrible and with result so
triumphant as to establish our racial
character for all time.
1t is rare to meet an Irishman who
does not respond to principles of JUS
tice, whether that justice is contained
in the statutes of law or in the broad
practices of free government. It is
rarer still to meet an Irishman or an
Irish-American who is not keenly in
terested in all public questions. In
deed, our unfriendly critics have de-
nominated us a race of politicians -
We may accept the appellation in a
complimentary sense, for in any DEM
ocracy-be it a republic or otherwise
every citizen ought to understand
every question vitality affecting the
happiness and welfare of mankind and
possess sufficient knowledge to investi'
gate them, discuss them and to act
intelligently upon them.
Citizenship is not merely privi
lege; it is right that must be used
for .self-protection and for the public
veal. Among all the races which have
contributed to the peopling Of this ma
tion none has exhibited more enthusi
astic loyalty than the race of Carroll
of Barry, of Shields and Of Meagher
We have become Americans from the
moment our feet touched the sol
which has been Redeemed with tht
blood of multitudes of Irish pioneers
and soldiers, and which has been stim
ulated in it's forward rush to wealtl
and world-power by the genius o
Irish intellect and the unfaltering 10y
atty of Irish citizenship. The page o
history which records Irish loyalty t
America is without stain of treason
and the words of the keen and wis
John Randolph, of Roanoke, have ne,
er been challenged Il have seen," sal
this great Virginian, "a white blacl
bird and I have heard of black swans
but an Irish enemy to American libe
ty have neither seen nor heard Of
Ever since the Ancient Order Of H
bernians has taken root on America
soil it has inculcated the stronge'
loyalty to America. In the old Const
tutions there was section in whic
every member was obligated to b
come an American citizen at the fir
opportunity. National, State ar
County Conventions have urged eli
zenship upon our members. Division
have appointed Naturalization Comm
tees whose duty it was to provide
formation and assist our members