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.