THE AMERICAN-IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
When and where Founded.
The American-Irish Historical Society was founded on the evening of Jan. 20, 1897, at a meeting called for that purpose, and held in the Revere House, Boston, Mass. Over forty gentlemen were present. The Hon. Thomas J. Gargan, of Boston, presided. Thomas Hamilton Murray, then editor of the Daily Sun, Lawrence, Mass., was secretary of the meeting. The provisional committee that had attended to the preliminary work included Mr. Murray, just mentioned; Mr. James Jeffrey Roche, editor of the Boston Pilot; Mr. Joseph Smith, Secretary of the Police Commission, Lowell, Mass.; Mr. Thomas B. Lawler, of the publishing house, Ginn & Company, Boston, Mass.; and Hon. John C. Linehan, State Insurance Commissioner, Concord, N. H. Four states—Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island—were represented among those in attendance. Letters conveying good wishes were received from Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and the District of Columbia.
Objects and Purposes.
The society is organized for the special study of the Irish element in the composition of the American people; to investigate and record the influence of this element in the up-building of the nation, and to collect and publish facts relating to and illustrating that influence. People of Irish blood have been coming to this continent, voluntarily and otherwise, since the date of its earliest settlements. While they have been a valuable addition to colony and republic in all departments of human activity, their work and contributions have received but scant recognition from chroniclers of American history. Whether this omission springs from carelessness, ignorance, indifference, or design is now of little moment. The fact that such a condition does exist makes it imperative that it should be remedied. The society purposes to remedy it.
More in Detail.
Speaking more in detail, it may be stated that the objects and purposes of the society are: The study of American history generally; to investigate, specially, the Irish immigration to this country, determine its numbers, examine the sources, learn the places of its settlement, and estimate its influence on contemporary events in war, legislation, religion, education, and other departments of activity; to examine records of every character, wherever found, calculated to throw light on the work of the Irish element in this broad land; to endeavor to correct erroneous, distorted, and false views of history, where they are known, and to substitute therefor the truth of history, based on documentary evidence and the best and most reasonable tradition in relation to the Irish in America; to place the result of its historical investigations and researches in acceptable literary form; to print, publish, and distribute its documents to libraries, institutions of learning, and among its members, in order that the widest dissemination of historical truth may be obtained; to do its work without passion or prejudice; to view accomplished facts in the true scientific historical spirit, and having reached the truth to give it to the world.
Membership Requirements.
Any person of good moral character who is interested in the special work of the society shall be deemed eligible for membership in the same. No tests other than that of character and devotion to the society’s objects shall be applied to membership. The society comprises life members and annual members and may also elect honorary and corresponding members.
The Mode of Admission.
The society believes that for the present as little red tape as possible should prevail in the admission of applicants. A large membership is desired. Consequently, a request to be enrolled, addressed to the Secretary-General, to any of the members of the Executive Council, or to a member of the society who is located in the neighborhood of the applicant, will generally be sufficient to effect the desired result.
Non-Sectarian and Non-Political.
The society is constructed on a broad and liberal basis. It is non-sectarian and non-political. Being an American organization in spirit and principle, it greets and welcomes to its ranks Americans of whatever race descent and of whatever creed who take an interest in the special line of work for which the society is organized. It at present includes Roman Catholics, Protestant Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Unitarians, and members of other denominations. Catholic priests and Protestant ministers are on its roll. Republicans, Democrats, and men of no political party affiliations are numbered among its members.
The Fees of Members.
Life members pay fifty dollars in advance at one time; they are exempt from further membership dues. Annual members pay three dollars per year each. For the present no initiation fee is required. Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are already represented in the list of life members. The membership roll also contains the names of gentlemen of the seventh, eighth, and ninth American generations.
The Society’s Officers.
The officers comprise a President-General, a Secretary-General, a Treasurer-General, a Librarian and Archivist, an Historiographer (not yet elected), and an Executive Council. The constitution also provides for a Vice-President for each state and territory and for the District of Columbia. It is proposed to eventually organize state and city chapters of the society. A list of the present officers will be found contained herein.
The First President-General.
The first President-General of the society was Richard Worsam Meade, 3d, Rear-Admiral, U. S. N. (retired). He was born in New York City, Oct. 9, 1837, at the home of his maternal grandfather, Judge Henry Meigs, which family has given many officers to the United States Navy. He was the oldest son of the late Capt. Richard Worsam Meade, 2d, U. S. N., and was a nephew of the late Gen. George Gordon Meade, who for two years commanded the Army of the Potomac. President-General Meade died in Washington, D. C., May 4, 1897. His obsequies took place in that city. The Society contributed a floral harp. Among the mourners there were present from the society: Messrs. Edward A. Moseley, J. R. Carmody, J. D. O’Connell, and Capt. John M. Tobin. The honorary bearers were: Rear-Admiral John G. Walker, Commodore Charles S. Norton, Admiral George Dewey, Commodore Norman H. Farquhar, Commodore Winfield S. Schley, Capt. A. S. Crowinshield, Capt. Charles O’Neil, U. S. N., and Col. Charles Heywood, United States Marine Corps. Eight stalwart seamen bore the body. A battalion of marines from the Washington barracks, under command of Capt. E. B. Robinson, and a delegation from Lafayette Post of New York City, escorted the body to Arlington, preceded by the United States Marine Band.
Meetings and Field Day.
Provision is made for quarterly meetings of the society and monthly meetings of the Executive Council. As far as possible, each meeting, especially those of the Council, is held in a city or state different from the one where the preceding meeting was held. This prevents the society from becoming merely local to any one state or city, and makes it what its founders intended it to be—a national body. A general field day of the organization is held annually in the summer or fall. The annual meeting for the election of officers is held in January.
Diploma of Membership.
Each member will be entitled to a diploma of membership, bearing the name of the society, the date of his admission, and such other appropriate matter as may be decided upon. These certificates will be signed by the President-General, the Secretary-General, the Treasurer-General, and one or two other officers, and will be suitable for display in office, library, or study.
The Society’s Publications.
The publications of the society consist of two classes—regular and special. A copy of every regular publication will be supplied free to each member. Special publications will be supplied at the actual cost price. Both classes of publications will contain a record of the society’s proceedings, papers contributed by the members as the result of original research, extracts from old documents bearing upon the Irish in this country, or similar matter of interest, much of it, indeed, of priceless value for preservation and reference. These publications will be thoroughly indexed.