From Samuel Swett Green, Librarian of Worcester.
“Thank you for sending me a circular regarding the historical society, which it is in contemplation to form for the purpose of promoting the study of the work which has been done by Irishmen in furthering the interests of the American Colonies and the United States. It is natural and commendable for residents of the United States, born in foreign countries or descended from persons born outside of this country, that, while esteeming the institutions of this land and having a patriotic interest in its welfare, they should at the same time retain warm affection for the mother country and a strong interest in the doings of its sons. Because such persons love a new country, there is no reason why they should cease to love the old country. They would show a lack of right feeling were they to do so. I heartily favor the formation of societies by studious people interested in the history of different elements of our population, and should think that Americans of Irish origin would find the study of the history of the Irish in this country especially interesting and profitable. They would find, I should think, a rich return in striving to bring to light incidents in their history by forming a society with this purpose in view.”
From Ex-U. S. Senator Patrick Walsh.
Augusta, Ga., Sept. 8, 1896.
Dear Sir:—I am in receipt of your favor of August 31, enclosing proof of an article in reference to the formation of an “American-Irish Historical Society.” I have read the announcement with pleasure, and I most cordially endorse the object in view. The history of the Irish race in America should be written. In peace and in war citizens of Irish birth have always been faithful to the United States. I regret to say that I do not very well see, at this time, how I can be present at your first meeting, but I beg to assure you of my most hearty approval of the proposed American-Irish Historical Society.
Yours very sincerely,
Patrick Walsh.
From Theodore Roosevelt.
New York, Jan. 13, 1897.
My Dear Mr. Roche:—I regret extremely that I cannot be present at the opening meeting of the Association. All these associations do good. We are a new people, derived from many race strains, and different from any one of them, and it is a good thing to have brought before us our diversity in race origin. Like most New Yorkers, whose American ancestry goes back for more than two centuries, I have an ancestral right to belong to several societies of this kind, and I enjoy equally attending the dinners of the Hollander, the Huguenot, the Scotchman, and the Irishman. It seems to me the one lesson to be remembered always by those who belong to these associations is that in time their descendants will most surely have the right to belong to many other similar associations; for in time the different strains of blood will all be blended together, English and Irish, German and French. When that time comes, and before it, the chief thing for all of us to keep in mind is that we must be good Americans, purely as such, no matter what be our creed or our ancestry in Europe.