American-Irish Historical Society.
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER.
Dear Sir: The annual meeting and dinner of the American-Irish Historical Society will take place at the Hotel Brunswick, Boylston Street, Boston, Mass., on Thursday evening, January 24, 1907.
A committee will be on duty at the hotel all day to receive members and guests, especially those coming from other cities and states, and render them such assistance as may be desired. A general reception will take place in the evening from 5 to 6 o’clock, upon the conclusion of which the annual meeting of the Society will be held. The annual dinner will be at 7.30 p. m.
This will be the tenth anniversary of the Society, and it is eminently appropriate that its celebration should take place in Boston, the city where the organization was founded. These annual gatherings of the Society are always of very great interest, bring together a distinguished company, and are long remembered by those participating. The forthcoming event will be no exception to the rule.
Tickets to the dinner are now ready at $3.50 each. They can be obtained by addressing Mr. M. J. Jordan, 42 Court Street, Boston, Mass. Make checks payable to the American-Irish Historical Society and forward to Mr. Jordan at the address given.
Members are at liberty to invite personal guests. The evening reception committee will include the following Boston members of the Society: Capt. D. J. Gorman, Bernard J. Joyce, Michael H. Cox, Patrick M. Keating, J. W. Fogarty, P. A. O’Connell, Charles V. Dasey, T. B. Fitzpatrick, P. H. Powers, John E. Gilman, Hon. Joseph H. O’Neil, W. B. Sullivan, F. L. Dunne, P. B. Magrane and James W. Kenney.
We hope that all who possibly can will be with us on this occasion, as it is desired to make it a red-letter event in the history of the Society.
Fraternally,
John McGowan,
President-General,
Washington, D. C.
T. H. Murray,
Secretary-General,
48 Carlton Road,
Seaview, Mass.
January 1, 1907.
The event was a very successful one and was participated in by a large gathering. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Admiral McGowan, the president-general of the Society, the business session was presided over by Mr. M. F. Dooley of Providence, R. I., treasurer-general of the organization.
Mr. T. H. Murray, secretary-general of the Society, was present, but owing to illness was assisted in his duties by Mr. P. F. Magrath of Binghamton, N. Y.
The reading of the minutes of the preceding annual meeting was omitted.
The annual report of the secretary-general was presented, accepted and adopted, as was that of the treasurer-general. Both reports showed the Society to be in an excellent condition.
Several new members were admitted to the organization.
The annual election of officers then took place, the result being as given on pages [5] and [6] of this volume. The business session was then dissolved, and after an interval the company proceeded to the annual dinner.
Mr. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick of Boston, the well-known merchant, presided. On his right and left were seated the Hon. John Hannan, mayor of Ogdensburg, N. Y.; the Hon. Charles E. Gorman, Providence, R. I.; the Hon. Joseph H. O’Neil, president of the Federal Trust Co., Boston; Mr. M. F. Dooley, of the Union Trust Co., Providence, R. I.; the Hon. Joseph F. O’Connell, congressman-elect, Boston; Mr. D. H. Tierney, Waterbury, Conn., and the Hon. Daniel O’Connor, Australia. The following letter was received from President-General McGowan:
1739 N. Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
January 16, 1907.
Dear Mr. Murray:
I regret exceedingly that I will not be able to attend the annual meeting and dinner on January 24th. My cold does not improve, and unless there is a change very soon, I will have to start for a milder climate.
It is a great disappointment to me not to be with you on that day and I beg you will express to all the members of the Society my regret at my enforced absence and the hope that next year I may be more fortunate.
My attack of “grippe,” which started the middle of last month, has left me with a most provoking cough, and I do not get my strength back. With kind regards, believe me,
Sincerely yours,
John McGowan.
Music was furnished during the banquet by a fine orchestra. Following was the dinner:
MENU.
Cape Oysters
Bisque of Lobster Aux Souffles
Consomme Printaniere
Paupiette Halibut Au Vin Blanc
Potato Croquettes
Filet of Beef, Fresh Mushrooms
Delmonico Potatoes Stringless Beans
Sweetbread Cutlets with Peas
Punch a la Romaine
Roast Red Head Duck
Chiffonade Salad
Fancy Assorted Cake
Neapolitan Ice Cream
Fruit Cheese
Small Coffee
In addition to those already mentioned as present at the dinner, after the business meeting, there were the Hon. Patrick T. Barry, Chicago, Ill.; the Hon. Thomas Z. Lee, Providence, R. I.; Mr. John Morgan, New York City; the Rev. Father Lyons, Boston, Mass.; Mr. R. J. Donahue, Ogdensburg, N. Y.; Mr. Edmund Reardon, Cambridge, Mass.; Col. James Moran, Providence, R. I.; Dr. M. F. Sullivan, Lawrence, Mass.; Mr. Bernard J. Joyce, Boston, Mass.; Mr. T. H. Murray, secretary-general of the Society; Mr. John D. Rohan, New York City; Mr. John T. F. MacDonnell, Holyoke, Mass.; Mr. P. F. Magrath, Binghamton, N. Y.; Mr. M. J. Jordan, Boston, Mass.; Mr. M. H. Cox, Boston, Mass.; Mr. William J. Kelly, Portsmouth, N. H.; Mr. P. A. O’Connell, Boston, Mass.; Mr. Bernard McCaughey, Pawtucket, R. I.; Mr. W. F. Kenny, Boston, Mass.; Mr. D. P. Downing, Cambridge, Mass.; Mr. James H. Devlin, Boston, Mass.; Mr. John J. Sullivan, Boston, Mass.; Capt. D. J. Gorman, Boston, Mass.; Mr. A. B. Sutherland (guest of Dr. M. F. Sullivan), Lawrence, Mass., and other gentlemen.
The after-dinner speeches were along the Society’s line of work and were of a most interesting nature. In his opening remarks, Mr. Fitzpatrick told of the early efforts of the Irish in Boston, and how their labors were an inspiration to the men and women of today.
The Hon. Charles E. Gorman of Providence, R. I., followed the toastmaster with a story on the bravery and chivalry of the Irish race. The early conditions in New England, and Rhode Island in particular, were outlined, after which he spoke on the struggles of the Irish to get a footing and show their spirit. He paid a stirring tribute to the work accomplished by the Celts and the Teutons and how their spirit of liberty managed to overcome difficulties.
The Hon. P. T. Barry of Chicago was well received when he arose to speak on the part the Irish took in the development of Chicago, the West and the great Northwest. His historical data was particularly interesting from the time of Chevalier McCarthy’s advent to the present. Congressman-elect Joseph F. O’Connell of Boston spoke on “The Part Played by the Irish in the Early History of Our Country.”
Mr. A. B. Sutherland of Lawrence, Mass., who is of Scottish blood, delivered an interesting speech, in which he told of what Irish civilization had done for Scotland and all northern Europe, and particularly of the spirit of liberty given to the Scotch by Irish example.
Rev. John J. Lyons illustrated how the Irish had done magnificent work in the interest of the church, and he made an earnest appeal for friendship on all sides and good will to mankind in general.
The Hon. Daniel O’Connor of Australia electrified the gathering with his witty remarks, and his narrative of the Irish influence in British literature and jurisprudence was unusually interesting.
Mr. D. H. Tierney of Waterbury, Conn., spoke for a few minutes on the Irish in Rochambeau’s army, after which the Hon. Joseph H. O’Neil and Michael J. Jordan, both of Boston, addressed the gathering briefly.
Before the meeting adjourned the Society paid a tribute to President Roosevelt, who is an active member of the organization. The tribute took the form of the following preamble and resolution:
Preamble and Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation From the American-Irish Historical Society.
At the annual meeting of the American-Irish Historical Society, held in Boston, Mass., on the evening of January 24, 1907, the following minute was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The American-Irish Historical Society has learned of the excellent work of our distinguished fellow-member, the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, as embodied in his article on “The Ancient Irish Sagas,” recently published, and believing that some appropriate action should be taken to show our appreciation of the study and research exhibited in the able contribution mentioned, it is
Resolved, therefore, that in the opinion of this Society a splendid example is set by President Roosevelt in finding the time and opportunity, in the midst of his many duties and responsibilities, to devote attention to a subject dear to us. We heartily congratulate him upon the results he has so ably exemplified and set forth as the outcome of his researches into early Irish history.[[1]]
[1]. A copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution was forwarded to President Roosevelt and the Society received a cordial reply.