The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1917-06-16
HIbERnIAn INITIATION
HELD LAST sunday

Wc11, We Call u0lp saying, WE IOAu
you So" The great joint initiation
meeting of Hennepin County Hibern-
ians promised to be big affair from
it's inception, but it turned out big in
the superlative degree. In more than
mere size it was big-big with in
spiration, patriotism and enthusiasm.
Perhaps the keynote of the whole
proceeding was struck when this res
olution was read:
1--WE pledge our lives and our for
tunes unreservedly and uncondition-
ally to the Stars and Stripes"
My! Wasn't it good to hear the
thunders of applause that followed the
reading of this terse and tremendous
sentence by the State Chaplain, Rev.
M. O'Brien. The reverend gentleman
himself was plainly taken by surprise
with the artillery of approval that
greeted the sentiment-so much so
that he threw up his hands in mock
protest and shouted back to the en-
thusiastic throng:
"You have taken the whole thing
out of my hands"
When quiet returned the remaining
resolutions were read and indorsed
with an unanimity that it would be
dangerous to attempt to disturb
There was ring of sincerity to the
proceedings that at times created an
atmosphere of tenseness of interest
All seemed to realize the difficulties
and solemn obligations of the Amer
ican position in this awful clash of
the nations. But it would have made
Uncle Sam rejoice to the roots of his
hair to hear those lusty voices and
see those stalwart sons of his who
are ready to fight at the drop of the
hat At a guess, we would hazard
that Milesian is derived from the
Latin miles soldier. But if not it
might we'll be, for the two words are
quite synonymous.
The Proceedings.
But let us get back to the meeting.
There were one hundred and three
members in the class that received
the degrees of the order-thas shat
tering all records of Hibernian work
in Hennepin County. The widespread
interest that had been created in the
event was attested by the large at
tendance from the ten divisions of
Hennepin County which taxed the ca
pacity of the spacious hall. There
were also delegations from st. Paul,
Saltwater, Anoka and more distant
parts of the state. The State Degree
team was at hand, keyed to high
pitch of enthusiasm because of their
share in the work.
County President Frank D. Feeney
was greeted with wholesome round
of applause as he opened the exer-
cises. He thanked the Hennepin
County members for the support given
him and the splendid response to his
appeal for renewal of activity III this
crucial period of American as we'll as
Irish affairs. He made special men
tion of the efforts of Martin F. Cra-
ran, who with the County President,
constituted the general committee of
arrangements.
Next came the degree work which
was done with such thoroughness and
spirit that interest was kept on edge
during the exemplification of the beau
tiful lessons of the ritual. The i'm
posing size of the class of initiates
seemed to evoke the very best efforts
of each member of the team.
Great credit is due the young men
who compose this talented group of
workers.
The Business and Social Session.
Then came the business and social
session, wherein everybody had a
chance to contribute to the tone of
good fellowship prevailing. The demo-
cratic spirit of Hibernianism was typi-
fled in the assemblage, for the hum
blest toiler in the membership felt
himself the equal of those who had
achieved the highest rungs in the lad
der of life. Informal addresses were
made by State President T. J.. Doyle,
Former State President Patrick Ken
ny, State Chaplain Rev. M. O'Brien,
County Chaplain Rev. p. r. Cunning