The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-03
GREAT WELCOME FOR HEAD OF H|bERN|ANS ON HIS ARRIVAL HERE
Joseph Mclaughlin inSpeech Arraigns English Govern ment-Tendered Dinner
 at Newspaper Club

Joseph Mclaughlin of Philadelphia, na- tonai president of the Ancient Order of Hinernians, was accorded a great recep- tIon by the local members of the order on his visit to the city yesterday. Arriving at noon he was met by large reception committee, who after extending him and hts wife generous Irish welcome escort ed them to the Birmingham Newspaper club where dinner was served. There were about 50 guests present, including large number of ladies.
 John W. O'Neill acted as toastmaster and at the conclusion of the elegant re- past introduced a few speakers for short talks. including Judge Oscar R. Hundey, HAgh McGeever, David Goldstein, M. E. Linnehan, Hugh Lynch, and others. The pleasure of the occasion was greatly en- hanced by vocal selections by Miss Mar garet Travers and Miss Hutchinson. as we'll as the rendition of Irish and patrio- tic airs by the orchestra.
 Speaks to Hibernians
 At o'clock the Hibernians met at the hall on Third avenue. where Mr. Me- Laughlin made stirring address in which he urged a movement for an increased membership and the greater fraternalsm of the Irish race.
 Hugh McGeever, president of the local division. presided and introduced Judge A. O. Lane, who extended on behalf of the city hearty welcome. Other speak ers. beside President Mclaughlin, were Rev. Father Dees, John W. O'Neill. and others. MT. McGeever paid fine tribute to the worth and loyalty of MT. Mo- Laughlin. who received a generous round of applause as he arose to speak. Al the close of his address he was given an ovation.
 In his opening remarks, MT. Mclaughlin stated his mission in the south was to institute a movement for an increased membership in the order, which he stated was the oldest Catholic organization in the country. He said that despite tho fact that It's membership was confined to one race and one religion It's member ship was growing steadily, and that it was organized more than 300 years ago for Goo and country in the penal daSs of Ireland when 1t was crime to be a Catholic, and a price was set on the head Of the priesthood. He stated at that time tho English government sought to crush out the faith of St. Patrick, that it at tempted to destroy the Irish language, but that through the efforts of the An cient Order of Hibernians both had been preserved.
 Need Great at Present
 He stated that at no time since the days of famine and oppression had the need been greater for the work of the order of Hibernians than at present as subtle enemies were at work to decry the race and faith. He cited instances where Irishmen had risen high in rank and by virtue of this fact had incurred thc emnity of narrow-minded people. He sloke of the part the Irish race had played in the history of America from the days of the Revolution to the present. lie urged his hearers to vote only for broad-minded men.
 Referring to home rule, he arraigned the English government for its attitude on the Irish question. Referring to the war he deplored the fact that some of tEe Irish leaders were advising young 1rishmen to join the colors. Speaking of France~he said they loved the old France, but for the France of the present time he had no sympathy and referred to the tendency to atheism in that country.
 He took up the Mexican situation and stated he regretted the attitude of the government and the American press :n reference to the treatment of Catholics in that country. He urged every man and every woman of Irish birth or blood to join the organization. He closed by and cordial greetings that he had re- cc;ved in the south and that his visit would be held in tender rememberance by himself and wife H