104
AN GAOḊAL.
CONNRA GAOḊAILGE ÉIRE ṀÓIR.
As intimated in a late issue of the
Gael, the Irish Language Society of
Providence, R. I., issued to the vari¬
ous Irish Language societies in Ame¬
rica the following circular:
96 Grove St, Providence, R. I.
February, 1898.
Dear Sirs. —
The Rhode Island Irish Language Society has
requested the writer to communicate with the va¬
rious other Irish Language Societies in the Uni¬
ted States, inquiring us to their willingness to
become members of a Central Council or League
with headquarters in New York.
The object in view is the advancement of the
Language, Literature and Arts of Ireland, and
give such assistance as possible (material and o¬
therwise) to those faithful workers in Ireland.
The formation of such a council, it is thought,
will bring about a co-operation of the many So¬
cities that will enhance the objects we aim at fu¬
ly conscious that concerted action will be prolific
of better results than individual efforts as now pre¬
vailing. Our aims are something like this, viz:
1. That this Central League or Council be com¬
posed of one or two of the officers of each Irish
Language Society in the United States.
2. That these meet in person or by proxy at
some place designed beforehand, once in one,
two or three years.
3. These to elect officers, necessary, and trans¬
act and outline such business as they deem best
for the Society and branches.
4. They to serve without remuneration.
5. The Secretary should be a resident of New
York City.
6 No two officer to be chosen from the same
State.
7. The headquarters to be located in New York
City as being the most suitable place.
8. The members of this Council should speak
the Irish language and transact their business in
Irish.
9. The idea is advanced that a small room
should be secured where books etc, can be procu¬
red by new branches.
10. A library of Irish books to be kept in this
room; it should also be used as a bureau of in¬
formation on local and Irish places and affairs,
and a place of call for visitors to the metropolis,
where they could get a "ceudh mile failthe."
This is brief and in a crude form outlines our
ideas and what we wish you to help us organize.
Surely you will concede that such is necessary
at this time, and would result in much good.
This Society, too, is intended as a means of inter-
communication between the various Societies in
this country, Ireland and elsewhere.
We are certain there are many faithful and zeal¬
ous Irishmen, and Irishwomen, who would gladly
join us if they got some encouragement or knew
how to proceed.
Inviting your co-operation, we trust you will
take prompt action and advise as to results.
Let us, therefore, not only join hands, but send
back to that dear old land we all love so well,
that assistance and good cheer that cannot be mis¬
taken, and thus show our friends and kindred that
we are Irish not only in name but in language.
Faithfully yours,
Martin J. Henehan.
Nearly all of the societies respond¬
ed favorably, and, on a call, a meeting
was held on May 22nd in the rooms of
the New York P. C. Society, at which
13 societies were represented, namely,
Boston (2), Brooklyn Buffalo, Holyoke,
New York (2), Philadelphia, Spring¬
field, Providence, New Haven and Chi¬
ago and Yonkers, either personally
or by proxy and, unanimously, adopt¬
ed the Circular as their platform, and
founded the League.
This League is just the very thing
that is wanted to enlighten the people
and check the evil tendency to which
we have referred in our leading article.
The Gael hopes to see a branch of
the League organized in every town
and city in the United States, to meet
monthly, or oftener as determined on
This arrangement would cause no
inconvenience to the A O Hibernians,
and its leading men must see its im¬
portance in these days of Anglo-Saxon
impudent "claims."
Temporary secretaries were appoint¬
ed by the meeting and those desiring
to form branches in union with them,
can address the secretaries, thus:
Mr. W. J. Balfe, care Gaelic League,
64 Madison Ave, or Mr. P. J. Boylan,
63 E. 49th St., New York.
