RECORDS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AND BANQUET OF THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT WASHINGTON, D. C., JANUARY 16, 1909, AND OF THE RECEPTION TO THE SOCIETY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
It having been voted at the annual meeting at New York January 29, 1908, to hold the next annual meeting at Washington, D. C.; the Executive Council at a well-attended meeting thereof held at the residence of the President-General, December 5, 1908, considered the necessary arrangements, and resolved to make this event a notable one in the Society’s history. A committee previously appointed by the President-General to confer with Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, and ascertain his pleasure as to a reception to the Society and attendance later at the dinner, reported that owing to pressure of official business President Roosevelt would be unable to attend the Society’s dinner, but would be pleased to meet his fellow-members at the White House and there make a short address.
In accordance with the instruction of the Executive Council the Secretary-General opened correspondence with Mr. William Loeb, Jr., Secretary to President Roosevelt, and the details of the reception were promptly arranged.
President-General Quinlan thereupon appointed a Reception Committee to officiate at the White House and afterwards be on duty at the Society’s headquarters in Washington, and a Dinner Committee to arrange all the details of the annual banquet.
The appointees on these committees appear in the circular letter which follows.
The Dinner Committee carefully looked over the available places in Washington suitable for the annual banquet, and decided upon the Hotel Raleigh as most desirable, not only for this purpose but also for the headquarters of the Society.
Mr. Thomas J. Talty, the manager of the Hotel Raleigh, extended the Committee every courtesy and made their work in the Society’s behalf easy and pleasant.
HON. EDWARD J. McGUIRE. LL. B.,
New York City.
Member of the Executive Council.
As soon as all necessary details were completed, the following circular letter to members was issued:
AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Program for Annual Meeting, Reception to the Society by the President of the United States, and Annual Banquet at Washington, D. C., January 16, 1909.
Our fellow-member, Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, will receive the Society at the White House at 2.30 p. m. Secretary Loeb requests us to be on time and provide each member with a card of identification. Such a card is enclosed and must be presented to the doorkeeper at the White House. Ladies and guests may accompany members, and tickets for them can be obtained from the Acting Secretary-General upon application of any member by mail or on the day of the Reception.
Members whose convenience will permit will leave New York Saturday morning, January 16, 1909, from West 23d Street station at 7.50 a. m., or from Liberty Street station at 8 a. m., to take the Royal Blue Line train leaving Jersey City at 8.12 a. m., arriving in Washington at 1.12 p. m. Reduced round trip rates have been arranged for on this line, a dining-car will be attached for our comfort and convenience, and this is the only train landing us in Washington in time to get to our quarters at the hotel and be in season for the President’s Reception.
Immediately after the President’s Reception, the annual meeting of the Society will be held in the parlors of the Hotel Raleigh, where the Society’s headquarters will be established, for the election of officers for the ensuing year, the receiving and acting upon resolutions on the death of several prominent members of the Society, including our deeply-lamented Secretary-General, and the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. The resolutions and eulogies to be offered are of a high order.
At the termination of the business meeting, opportunity will be given to visit the capitol, Congressional Library, public buildings, historical societies, and other points of interest in Washington.
The tickets for the dinner are $5.00 each and may be obtained from the Acting Secretary-General, whose address is below. It is very important that we know exactly how many members are to be present, and you are earnestly requested to send your remittance for tickets promptly so that we may notify Mr. Talty of the Hotel Raleigh how many he may expect. Members may invite guests at the same price per ticket.
The Reception to the members of the Society by its officers will take place in the parlors of the Hotel Raleigh at 6.30 p. m., and this will be an excellent opportunity for exchange of good fellowship with the new members, nearly one hundred and fifty of whom have been elected during the past year. The Reception Committee, consisting of Michael W. Norton, Esq., of Rhode Island, Hon. John D. Crimmins of New York, Hon. Joseph Geoghegan of Utah, Patrick F. Magrath, Esq., of New York, Hon. John F. O’Connell of Rhode Island, Dr. M. F. Sullivan of Massachusetts, Bernard J. Joyce, Esq., of Massachusetts, Patrick Carter, Esq., of Rhode Island, T. Vincent Butler, Esq., of New York, John J. Daly, Esq., of New York, Gen. D. F. Collins of New Jersey, Francis I. McCanna, Esq., of Rhode Island, Hon. Alexander C. Eustace of New York, Hon. Thomas J. Lynch of Maine, Gen. John R. McGinness of Virginia, and Hon. Thomas M. Waller of Connecticut, will be in attendance during the day to do everything possible to make it a pleasant occasion for the members.
At seven o’clock the annual dinner will take place. It will be in charge of the Dinner Committee, consisting of Hon. Edward A. Moseley, chairman; Rear Admiral John McGowan, these two former Presidents-General of the Society; Michael F. Dooley, Esq., Treasurer-General; Hon. Lawrence O. Murray and Patrick J. Haltigan, Esq.
An elaborate menu, excellent music and extensive floral decorations have been provided, and the principal speakers at the post-prandial exercises and their toasts will be as follows:
“A Capitol Welcome,” Hon. Thomas H. Carter, U. S. Senator from Montana.
“Irish Pioneers of New York,” Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
“The Irish Pioneers of the West and Their Descendants,” Hon. Maurice T. Moloney, ex-Attorney General of Illinois.
“Advantages of Historical Research to Irish Americans,” Hon. Robert J. Gamble, United States Senator from South Dakota.
Other addresses will follow if time permits.
Our list of guests is headed by Hon. Edward D. White of Louisiana, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and will include many notable men.
Please send in your replies as early as possible. The seats at the table will be allotted members and guests in the order in which the applications are received. The officers of the Society earnestly request the attendance of every member who can make it possible to come, because it is desired to make an excellent showing in Washington and thus bring the Society and its work more successfully to the attention of all the people in the country interested in making “better known the Irish Chapter in American history.”
Yours fraternally,
Francis J. Quinlan, M. D., LL. D.,
President-General,
33 W. 38th St., New York City.
Thomas Zanslaur Lee,
Acting Secretary-General,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
The following blank was enclosed with the circular, in order that we might have early information as to the number intending to be present:
(The prompt return of this notice is earnestly requested.)
AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Annual Meeting and Dinner, and Reception to the Society by the President of the United States, Saturday, January 16, 1909.
Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Esq.,
Acting Secretary-General,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
Dear Sir: It is my intention to be present at the annual banquet of the American Irish Historical Society, to be held at Hotel Raleigh, Washington, D. C., Saturday evening, January 16, 1909.
Yours fraternally,
.....................
I desire provision made for..........guests.
(Make checks payable to
Michael F. Dooley, Treasurer-General.)
The responses came in so well that the Society felt warranted in ordering a special train for the comfortable transportation of members and guests to Washington, and through our fellow-member, Mr. Henry L. Joyce, the Royal Blue Line provided a train of six Pullman parlor-cars, a dining-car and a baggage-car for our exclusive use, and so notified the Society.
Further notice was then sent to the members as follows:
AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Annual Dinner and Reception by the President of the United States, Washington, D. C., January 16, 1909.
Royal Blue Line train with special cars attached leaves New York, 23d Street station, at 7.50 a. m. If 100 members are on hand, a special train will be put in commission and start ten minutes later from the same place. Fares reduced for us on this line.
We want at least 250 members at Washington. Ladies, accompanied by members, may attend reception and dinner. Tickets, $5 each. Headquarters, Hotel Raleigh. Reception at White House 2.30 p. m. Annual meeting at headquarters afterwards, and dinner at 7. Reception Committee at hotel all day.
Messrs. Henry L. Joyce and W. C. Hope, respectively General Manager Marine Department and General Passenger Agent of the Royal Blue Line, will be at the 23d Street station with the Secretary-General early Saturday morning and full information may be had.
This will be the best affair we have ever had. Excellent speakers, fine dinner, good music and floral decorations already provided for. Please be present.
Thomas Z. Lee,
Secretary-General.
Providence, R. I., Jan. 11, 1909.
A large party of members and guests availed themselves of the pleasure of the special train, and our comfort was well cared for by Mr. Joyce, ably assisted by Mr. P. Wilfred Heroy, Eastern Passenger Agent of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and a picked train crew.
Owing to a severe snowstorm encountered en route, it became evident the special would not reach Washington on scheduled time, and a telegram to Secretary Loeb was sent from Baltimore as follows:
“Special train of American Irish Historical Society unavoidably delayed en route. Regret inability to reach White House before two forty-five.”
In order that no time should be lost, orders were given the train crew to take the baggage of each passenger to the Hotel Raleigh, there to be cared for until our return from the White House.
The following copy of the order given by C. H. English, Passenger Trainmaster of the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey, providing for the running of the special train, is interesting and gives us an idea of the amount of detail necessary to clear the way for the operation of a train on an up-to-date railroad, and the people to whom orders must go:
The Central Railroad Company of New Jersey.
Central Division.
Jersey City, N. J., January 13, 1909.
Mr. C. E. Chambers, Division Master Mechanic; Mr. A. E. Detro, General Foreman, Fiddlers; Mr. L. F. Duffy, Assistant Foreman, Fiddlers; Mr. C. L. Campbell, Chief Dispatcher, Jersey City; Mr. C. L. Hollis, Superintendent Marine Department, New York; Mr. W. Whittaker, Ferry Master, Jersey City; Mr. G. F. Wernert, Station Master, West 23d Street; Mr. C. H. Vanderveer, Station Master, Liberty Street.
Gentlemen: Please arrange for special train Saturday, January 16, to leave West 23d Street 8.05 a. m., Liberty Street 8.15 a. m., for Washington, consisting of baggage car, dining car and six Pullman cars, account of American Irish Historical Society.
HON. LAWRENCE O. MURRAY, LL. D.
Of Washington, D. C.
Comptroller of the Currency.
Will advise later regarding the return movement. Acknowledge receipt.
Yours truly,
C. H. English,
Passenger Trainmaster.
The Dinner Committee was on hand to meet the train and special street cars were in readiness to take us to the Reception.
Nearly 300 members and guests were in attendance at the White House when President Roosevelt made his appearance, accompanied by his military attendants. He was in excellent spirits and pleased to see so large a representation of the Society in Washington.
In introducing President Roosevelt to the assemblage, President-General Quinlan said:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am especially honored today in presenting to you the gifted ruler of our great nation, one who at all times has shown true sympathy with our cause and who has recorded his feeling by associating himself with our Society. It is with feelings of mingled pride and satisfaction that I introduce to you our fellow-member, Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States.”
President Roosevelt replied as follows:
“It is a great pleasure to me to bid you welcome to Washington, and especially to have the chance of saying a word of greeting to you here in the White House. I am sorry we didn’t give you a little better weather, and I especially regret that, in view of the fact that so many of you have had the wisdom to bring your better halves with you; for I have always insisted that, while the average American citizen is a pretty good fellow, his wife is a still better fellow.
“I need scarcely say the great interest that I take in the work of this body. Here on this continent we are building up a great new nation, a nation akin to, but different from, each of the Old World nations of middle and western Europe. To this country have come men of many different origins, and here they are being fused together into a new type, and it is greatly to be desired that we should have historical associations like this which shall commemorate the different strains in the national blood.
“It is a mistake to suppose, as is so often assumed, that at the time of the Revolution our people were not of mixed blood. They were then, just as they are now. Many different strains from the beginning contributed to make up what is now American citizenship, and from the beginning in this country the men who themselves, or whose fathers, came from Ireland have played a great and leading part in the affairs of the nation. I myself have some of that blood in me, and doubtless this accounts for the difficulties with which I have found myself confronted at times. It may also account for my disposition after getting into a fight to let the other fellow know I was in it. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming here.”
There was great applause and much enthusiasm upon the well-chosen words, and afterwards the assemblage formed in line and each person was presented to President Roosevelt by President-General Quinlan and Hon. Edward A. Moseley, Michael F. Dooley, Esq., Hon. Lawrence O. Murray and Patrick J. Haltigan, Esq., of the Dinner Committee.
At the termination of the Reception the party went to the Hotel Raleigh for the annual meeting.