Year: 1871

A letter from Portsmouth, Va, published in
the fredericksburg Star, says:-A convention
OF, Catholic Benevolent Societies of Virginia
met at this place on Thursday, the 18th instant,
for the purpose of organizing State Union of
said societies with a still further view Of being
aggregated to the National Catholic Union Of
the .. S. The following officers were elected
for the ensuing year: William Kigour, of
Alexandria, President; NJ Glennan, of Norfolk
Vice President John O. Conner, of Portsmouth,
Secretary; DR.. NJ J. Griffith, of Fredericks
burg, Treasurer The President, after being
conducted to the chair, delivered an eloquent
address. He said though met as strangers
they were bound by the band Of friendship and
met with cordial greeting and fidelity of hearts
for common aim and noble purpose Though
met as strangers they were known to each other
by the bond of a common faith. They were
met to build up an edifce at once grand and
permanent upon each arch of which should be
inscribed Il was hungry and you gave me to
eat, / was thirsty and you gave me to drink, L
was sick and you visited me &c To-day was
thrown to the breeze a banner OF love aud
charity, and it would wave in triumph till it
spread from ocean to ocean.


The Committee on Address presented the
following, which was unanimously adopted:


TO the different Catholic Benevolent Socie-
ties Of the State Of Virginia In compliance
with the wishes Of the first annual convention
of the Catholic Benevolent Union OF the State
of Virginia, it is our pleasing duty to address
YOU few words on the object of the meeting
Of the State Union, and the numerous m adyan-
tages that may be derived from it. The first
convention of the State Union was held in the
city of Portsmouth on the 18th Of February,
1871. The object was the formation Of an
Union Of all the Catholic benevolent societies
of the State, in pursuance Of 4 request OF the
National Convention held in Cincinnati, Octo-
Der l9, 1870, and with the still further view of
having this State Union aggregated to the said
National Union. In most Of the cities and
principal towns of the Diocese Of Richmond
there are Catholic benevolent societies already
established, and we call their kind attention to
this important matter and trust they Will avail
themselves of the many advantages which must
accrue from union of the different Catholic
Societies Of the State.


Although provision may be made by the
several societies throughout the State for their
respective members when they require aid yet
how frequently may it happen that member
may be oyertaken by sickness In some neigh
boring city and what an advantage will it not
he to him to draw from such sister societies the
customary benefits and receive that kind care
and attention which only sense OF Catholic
charity and duty can inspire 1t affords HIM
Il still further and additional pleasure Wheh he
considers that he receives such succor, not as
mere tribute Of charity, but as an and to
which he has strict right. Hitherto we have
had no such union of our Catholic societies in
this State. Let us endeavor to make this a
great success. We have sanguine hopes that
this meeting is the first dawn OF sunshine IN
that will cause rich fruit to come forth: We
sincerely hope that at our next meeting, IN
june Of this year all the Catholic benevolent
societies of the State will be represented and
that we may be able to presenta strong bulwark
against the tide of distress which has made
some headWay in our land.


Onmotion of Dr. Griffith; a committee OF
three was appointed to report at the next Con
yeption what means are necessary to encourage
and promote Catholic immigration to our
State.


The proceedings were characterized by har-
mony and animation;


Tie committees of Norfolk and Portsmouth
We'd with each other in their hospitality to del
eeates from the distant portions OF the State.


The Convention adjourned to meet in Alex
andria on the second Wednesday in June next.