The mere mention of these names that have come so conspicuously before the world is not calculated to signify that there are not many others of almost or quite equal note. Scholars, statesmen and soldiers are numerous among the Society’s officers and members. But in such a brotherhood as ours there are no caste barriers. In the common endeavor for the common good of seeing that American history is truly written, we meet and act upon common ground.
“Fidelity, truth, honor, are the watchwords,” says the preamble to the constitution, “and under their noble influence should our work be done.” Of the nine distinct objects and purposes set forth in Article II of the constitution, two may be quoted as embodying the more essential features of our work:
“(2) To investigate specially the immigration of the people of Ireland 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 human activity.”
“(7) To promote by union in a common high purpose a sincere fraternity, a greater emulation in well doing, a closer confidence and mutual respect among the various elements of the Irish race in America, that, by putting behind them the asperities of the past, they may unite in a common brotherhood with their fellow-citizens for the honor of the race and the glory of the Republic.”
Nor are the seven other articles of any less importance, that of the fourth pertaining to the correction of “erroneous, distorted and false views of history,” and the substitution of truth based upon documentary evidence, therefor, being amongst the most essential work to be done. Had we only to deal with our national history, voluminous as it is, the work before us would seem quite easy.
But there are the almost innumerable state, county, city and town histories, each of which needs as thorough sifting as does the national. This fact was indelibly impressed upon my mind three years ago when I was wading through California state and city histories for kernels of truth pertaining to “The Precursors of the Pioneers,” and other matter which I was then writing for publication. Never was the need more palpably illustrated of keeping well informed on the substance of all these histories than by a combination of self-constituted “protectors” of everything American, when they confronted us with accusations of disloyalty to the Republic and openly sought to insult us with taunts of being “the Pope’s Irish.” But brief as has been the interval, time has already doubly vindicated us. When there were Spanish guns to be faced our accusers stayed bravely at home.
There are no sectarian or religious differences in our Society. Priests and ministers here unite in bands of blood and brotherhood. We now mourn the quite recent death of Rev. George W. Pepper, a Methodist minister of Ohio, one of our ablest workers. Very Rev. Andrew Morrissey, president of the Catholic University of Notre Dame, is also in our ranks.
I heartily wish that the duty of endeavoring to enlist the interest of men of Irish blood in California in the organization of a State Chapter of this Society devolved upon some of the many abler and better equipped men in the state. But even the keenest sense of one’s own shortcomings will not justify the shirking of such a duty. Here on the fag end of things [Coronado] we are few in numbers. In the hot press of the main chance there seem to be few having time or interest enough to spare to such a brotherhood. But I am quite sure that in the larger cities of San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton and Los Angeles, there are many patriotic, true men and well-wishers of our race who will cheerfully join us in organizing a State Chapter, and to these I now appeal for coöperation to that end.
“Any person of good moral character, who is interested in the special work of the society, shall be deemed eligible to membership in the same. No tests other than that of character and devotion to the Society’s objects shall be applied to membership.” The only charge is an annual due of three dollars. Persons wishing to become members may send me their names with addresses and I will send them blanks of application for membership. These they will fill out and send to me and I will forward them to the Secretary-General, or they may write directly to him, addressing Thomas Hamilton Murray, Woonsocket, R. I.
The application must be accompanied by the annual fee. A handsome and comprehensive volume of the Society’s work is issued each year. The annual meeting and banquet was held in New York this year, and was a splendid affair. Let us have a California Chapter of this Society that will be a fit representative of our state and race.