Address by Hon. John D. Crimmins.
Hon. John D. Crimmins of New York referred to the part Irishmen in Pennsylvania and elsewhere took in the Revolutionary War. He also spoke of men of Irish blood in the business world, saying that with their aggressiveness they should push forward and develop themselves in mercantile life. Mr. Crimmins spoke as a business man against an Anglo-American alliance. He said that if the government wanted to expand its territory he was with it, and we were strong enough to manage alone. Speaking of trusts, Mr. Crimmins said that they were largely experimental, and if the people thought they were injurious to their interests they had it entirely in their own hands to rectify the mistake by voting out of office the party that fostered them.
Capt. E. O’Meagher Condon of New York spoke on the enforced emigration of Irishmen and women to the colonies, under the English penal laws.
Joseph Smith of Lowell, Mass., made an appeal for funds to continue the publication work of the Society.
Hon. John C. Linehan gave some interesting historical information regarding Irish settlers in northern New York.
Addresses were also made by Thomas F. O’Malley of Somerville, Mass., and Rev. Frank L. Phalen of Concord, N. H.
By a vote of the executive council, President-General Gargan sent the following despatch to ex-Congressman Vocke, head of the German-American anti-British alliance movement in this country:
The American-Irish Historical Society, at the thirteenth meeting of its Executive Council, expresses its cordial and hearty support and coöperation in the movement of the German-American citizens of the United States against an alliance with Great Britain.
Secretary-General Murray read a number of interesting letters that had been received.
One was from ex-President Andrews of Brown University:
Office of Superintendent of Schools,
Schiller Building.
My Dear Mr. Murray:—It is very kind of you to remember me with an invitation to the banquet on the 19th instant, and you know that I should certainly attend were I anywhere in New England.
These occasions hitherto have been among the most interesting which I have ever attended. Give my kindest regards to Mr. Gargan and to any of the other gentlemen attending who may remember me.
Yours truly,
E. Benj. Andrews.
Chicago, April 13, 1899.
From the town clerk and selectmen of Lexington:
Lexington, Mass., April 11, 1899.
Thomas Hamilton Murray, Esq., Secretary-General American-Irish Historical Society:
Dear Sir:—The selectmen of the town of Lexington desire to express their sincere thanks for the courtesy of an invitation to the banquet to be held at Providence, April 19, next, but regret that our official duties preclude our acceptance, as the day is always a busy one for the official heads of the town.
We take this opportunity of returning the compliment, and trust that on the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary, which occurs next year, your Society will be represented. We express the hope that your banquet will be an enjoyable one, and that the day and the occasion to be celebrated will furnish the impulse to make the exercises interesting, instructive and profitable.
Your Society name is typical of history on the one hand; exemplification on the other. The history of that day and the events which followed it represent a struggle with the same country which it has been our privilege to subdue, to our immortal honor and the glory of the world, and it is the same country that again is attempting the perversion of liberty and justice; and a parallel is furnished by the identical principles which animate Ireland to-day, which animated the men of Lexington, Bunker Hill and Saratoga a century ago; and it has been well said, that, while Ireland has not yet gained the jewel of liberty for herself, yet her sons have given freely of their bone, their sinew and blood to set that jewel in many a shining crown of freedom in other lands than their own.
Ireland has had her Lexington, and the “winter of discontent” in her Valley Forge is slowly melting and warming into the eternal summer. May her Yorktown be not long delayed!
{Town } Edwin S. Spaulding,
{Seal.} George W. Sampson,
Charles A. Fowle,
Selectmen of Lexington.
Leonard A. Saville,
Town Clerk.
A similar communication was received from Charles E. Brown, town clerk of Concord, Mass. He was prevented from accepting the invitation owing to a home celebration of the “Concord fight.” His communication also bore the seal of the town, with the inscription: “Quam firma res Concordia.” Letters were also announced from Thomas B. Lawler of New York city, Ex-Congressman Weadock of Detroit, Mich., and from a large number of others.
A MEETING IN NEWPORT, R. I.,
On the Anniversary of the Battle of Rhode Island, which was fought August 29, 1778.
The Council of the Society held a meeting in Newport, R. I., on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 1899. The day was the anniversary of the battle of Rhode Island, 1778, in which the American forces, commanded by Gen. John Sullivan, “repulsed the enemy and maintained the field.”
The meeting took place at the Aquidneck House, and was presided over by Hon. John C. Linehan of Concord, N. H.
It was announced that since the last meeting four members of the Society had died, namely: Joseph J. Kelley of East Cambridge, Mass.; William Slatterly of Holyoke, Mass.; the Rev. George W. Pepper of Cleveland, O., and the Rev. Denis Scannell of Worcester, Mass. Eulogies were delivered on these deceased brothers, and minutes adopted expressing regret at their passing away. Several new members were admitted to the Society.
A subscription of $100 to the publication fund was announced from Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet of New York. It was stated that the torpedo boat O’Brien would probably be launched during September or October, the delay thus far experienced being due to the non-delivery of steel forgings. A communication was read from the builder of the O’Brien, stating that he would be happy to have the Society participate in the exercises of the launching.
Secretary-General Murray stated that the annual volume of the Society’s proceedings is now in course of preparation, and that the book would be issued at an early day. It will be uniform in size with the first volume issued, and will contain many new features and an increased number of portraits.
It was suggested that the Society erect a bronze tablet in Charlestown, Mass., to the memory of soldiers of Irish birth or lineage who took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, fighting in behalf of American liberty, and a committee, consisting of President-General Gargan, Dr. J. A. McDonald, the Rev. J. W. McMahon, D. D., the Rev. J. N. Supple, Dr. John Duff and Hon. John R. Murphy, all of Boston, was appointed to consider the matter. To this committee were subsequently added James Jeffrey Roche, editor of The Pilot; Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Dr. W. H. Grainger and Bernard Corr, all of Boston; Joseph Smith of Lowell, Mass., and Hon. John C. Linehan of Concord, N. H.
The Council then discussed Newport from an historical standpoint. Its richness as a field for the Society’s work was dwelt upon. Many distinguished men of Irish blood who lived there were recalled,—Dean Berkeley, the famous Kilkenny scholar; the Rev. Marmaduke Brown, at one time pastor of old Trinity church; Capt. Wilkinson, a founder of the Newport Artillery; Commodore Perry, son of an Irish mother, who so splendidly defeated the British on Lake Erie, and his brother, Matthew Perry, to both of whom monuments now stand in Newport.
It was also recalled that at the outbreak of the Revolution a member of the Boston Charitable Irish Society, Colonel Knox, later a general, went to Newport and planned fortifications for the place; that many men of Irish lineage came with our French allies to Newport, including Colonel, the Count Dillon; Lieutenant-Colonel Dillon, his kinsman; McCarty, an officer of the French battleship Le Conquerant; Lynch, aide-de-camp to the Chevalier de Chastellux, and many others.
After the transaction of routine business the Council adjourned to meet at Elizabeth, N. J., on the occasion of the launching of the torpedo boat O’Brien.
In the evening, after the meeting of the Council, dinner was partaken of at the Aquidneck, there being present some twenty-five gentlemen, including members of the Society and prominent Newport residents who had been invited to attend.
Hon. Charles E. Gorman, of Providence, R. I., presided and grace was said by Rev. Louis J. Deady, of Newport.
In addition to these there were present: Hon. Patrick J. Boyle, mayor of Newport (who is also a member of the Society); Hon. John C. Linehan, Concord, N. H.; Thomas Hamilton Murray, Woonsocket, R. I.; J. Stacy Brown, city solicitor of Newport; Martin Fay, Boston, Mass.; Patrick J. McCarthy, Providence, R. I.; Pardon S. Kaull, chief of police, Newport; Dennis H. Tierney, Waterbury, Conn.; Henry S. Tierney, Waterbury, Conn.; Edmund O’Keefe, New Bedford, Mass.; M. E. Hennessy, Boston, Mass., and the following, all of Newport: Eugene C. O’Neill, Alderman J. E. O’Neill, Rev. W. A. Doran, Rev. Philip Cronan, Rev. Fr. Reddy, Frank F. Nolan, Philip F. Conroy, Patrick Nolan, Dr. McElroy, M. A. McCormack, Alexander O’Hanley, William Sullivan and Michael Driscoll.
The after-dinner exercises included an address of welcome by his Honor, Mayor Boyle; a paper by Thomas Hamilton Murray, on “The Battle of Rhode Island, 1778,” and addresses by Hon. Charles E. Gorman, Hon. John C. Linehan, Rev. Louis J. Deady, Dennis H. Tierney, Patrick J. McCarthy, J. Stacy Brown and Edmund O’Keefe.
An original letter written by Gen. John Sullivan in 1778, while in command of the Rhode Island department, was read and exhibited. The letter is the property of George E. Briggs, of New Bedford, Mass., and a vote of thanks was extended Mr. Briggs for his kindness in loaning the letter to the meeting.
Letters of regret at inability to attend the meeting were received from Hon. Elisha Dyer, governor of Rhode Island; Hon. R. Hammett Tilley, state record commissioner of Rhode Island; Hon. John D. Crimmins, New York city; and Joseph Smith, Lowell, Mass.
MR. JOSEPH GEOGHEGAN,
Of Utah.
Residence, Salt Lake City.
COL. P. H. CONEY,
Of Kansas.
Residence, Topeka.
MR. M. D. LONG,
Of Nebraska.
Residence, O’Neill.
MR. HENRY E. REED,
Of Oregon.
Staff of the Portland Oregonian.
FOUR STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS.
A MEETING IN BOSTON, MASS.,
Held at the Hotel Bellevue, Wednesday Evening, November 15, 1899.
A reception and banquet under the auspices of the Society took place at the Hotel Bellevue, Beacon street, Boston, Mass., on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, 1899.
It was a very pleasant occasion, and fully equal in point of interest to previous events of the organization.
The reception lasted from 7 to 8 p. m., and the party then formed in line and marched to the dining hall.
Grace was said by Rev. James J. O’Brien, of Somerville, Mass., a son of the late Mayor O’Brien of Boston. Among those at the table were the following:
From Boston: Hon. Thomas J. Gargan, who presided; Hon. Patrick A. Collins, Judge Burke of the Municipal Court, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Edmund Reardon, William Doogue, Joseph P. Flatley, Patrick M. Keating, George F. McKellegett, James Jeffrey Roche, J. E. Reardon, Martin Fay, Bernard Corr, Michael J. Ward, M. A. Toland, James H. Devlin, James H. Devlin, Jr., Peter B. Corbett, N. D. Corbett, Michael McManus, John Shea, George E. Lynch and several others.
From other places there were present: Hon. John C. Linehan, Concord, N. H.; Thomas Hamilton Murray, Woonsocket, R. I.; Eneas Smyth and James B. Hand, Brookline, Mass.; James F. Brennan, Peterborough, N. H.; Joseph Smith, Lowell, Mass.; Dr. M. F. Kelly, Fall River, Mass.; John Hayes, Manchester, N. H.; John T. F. Mac Donnell and John A. Mac Donnell, Holyoke, Mass.; W. J. Kelly, Kittery, Me.; John H. H. McNamee, Cambridge, Mass.; Thomas F. O’Malley, Somerville, Mass., and Timothy Donovan, Lynn, Mass.
William Ludwig, the celebrated Irish baritone, was present, as the guest of Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, and rendered several vocal selections during the evening.
The opening address of the post-prandial exercises was by President-General Gargan. In the course of his remarks he said: “As you are well aware the cost of collecting material and publishing is not small; may I not urge upon every member present to help in the important work in which we are engaged, and if you feel you cannot afford to contribute to our publishing fund, get at least one new member to join our Society. We belong to a race that has contributed to the glory of almost every nation. Here in this republic we are not subjects but citizens, either by birth or adoption, with all that title means. We are part of its life and history, and we will be unfaithful to the history and traditions of our fathers if we do not endeavor to preserve in lasting memorials the story of who they were and what they did in the building of this great Republic.”
Mr. Gargan called attention to the fact that on Dec. 14, 1899, occurs the centenary of the death of George Washington, for whom, he said, we still feel an affection and an awful reverence, notwithstanding the imperial policy of the government at Washington, which continues dangling with foreign alliances. Mr. Gargan requested the Society to coöperate with other historical associations in commemorating the event.
The paper of the evening was by Michael E. Hennessy, of the Boston Daily Globe, his topic being: “Men of Irish blood who have attained eminence in American journalism.” It was an able effort, showing much research.
Joseph Smith, of Lowell, Mass., spoke entertainingly, and then offered the following resolutions, which were adopted:
Whereas, The American-Irish Historical Society, a body representing all phases of religious and political opinions among members of the Irish race in this Republic, deems it its duty to reaffirm its faith in the principles of free self-government, and in God’s Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” and
Whereas, Freedom and honesty are the basis of all pure self-government, and any injury to them in any part of the world must in the end be an injury to this Republic and its citizens; be it
Resolved, That this Society send greeting and sympathy to the embattled farmers of the South African republics; that we express admiration for the courage, faith, and manhood of a race which has thrown down the gage of battle to a rich and powerful aggressor to maintain its freedom; and that it is our earnest prayer that the God of the weak, the righteous, and the brave may crown their heroic struggles with glorious victory and political independence.
Resolved, That any government which has entered upon a project to plunder and destroy two free republics is unfit to be allied to a nation whose basic principles are thus violated, and such alliance, political or moral, would make this Republic a confederate to the infamies thus perpetrated.
Resolved, That the American-Irish Historical Society is inflexibly opposed to any entangling foreign alliances, and particularly to any alliance between the United States and the government of England, which has so frequently sought by war and intrigue to destroy this Republic, and it pledges itself, through its membership, to strive to curtail the political career of any public official, who formulates, advocates, counsels, aids, or abets any such alliance.
Resolved, That copies of these resolutions be sent to the representatives of the South African republics in this country, and to such other persons as the secretary may deem expedient, connected with the executive and senate of the United States.
Hon. Patrick A. Collins was called upon and greeted as “the next mayor of Boston.” He said: “I came here to-night because this is a non-partisan gathering. Its object is the rescuing of the truth of history in this country. It is now not unpopular or unfashionable to be known as a man of Irish lineage or to bear the name of Patrick or Michael. There was a time within our memory when it meant condemnation to servility or obscurity. We have leavened the lump of Puritanism.”
After further interesting exercises the festivities were brought to a close.