68
AN GAODHAL.
We hope our readers will go ever
Fr. Boyle's letter, on another page, a
few times; also, the non-subscribing
Rev. Fathers who may receive simple
copies of this issue, embracing proba¬
bly all the priests in the United States
bearing Celtic names. If they will they
can make the Gaelic movement a suc¬
cess; and we need not tell "them" that
that success largely depends on the cir¬
culation of Gaelic literature.
This being the twelfth issue since
we commenced the present series of
Lessons, we shall, in our next, give a
specimen of the progress made by the
students even to the exclusion of other
Gaelic matter. It will show what the
Gael is doing.
Persons complain that the Gael is
dear for its size — M. Carroll's beautiful
poem on the light of The Holy Fam¬
ily into Egypt, without mentioning the
GABHAR DONN's grand "Similitude,"
is worth a year's subscription, even as
an heirloom, to any man or woman
with a drop of Irish blood in their bo¬
dies.
We are pleased to see that the N Y Gaelic Socie¬
ty is about resuming the celebration of Archbish¬
op McHale's anniversary. They ought not to have
ever abandoned the enthusiasm of their infancy for
the father of the Gaelic movement — the movement
which gave them birth; and its resumption is an
assurance that the voice of the siren who would
beguile them into a forgetfulness of filial duty has
lost its charms. Brooklyn will do its duty, and re¬
mind its off-spring, as it has always done, when¬
ever it makes a faux pas.
Gaels, your cause never looked so encouraing as
it does today. To circulate your journal, take one
or two friends with you of an evening and button-
hole your neighbor for a subscription, reminding
him that his name will appear in the Gaelic Album
as a memorial to be viewed by future generations.
As those who recommend the doing of a thing
should set the example, we publish our photo in
the form we suggested photos should appear in
the Gaelic Pictorial Historical Album.
The Brooklyn Philo-Celtic Society will have a
suitable hall in a short time wherein to pursue
their studies and carry on their entertainments, as
of yore.
An anonymous article purporting to give the
history of the efforts in America to preserve and
cultivate the Irish language has been going the
rounds of the press for some time, industriously
served by some "Pat Grant." The N Y. Freeman's
Journal knocked the wind out of his bag, but he
seems to have got the better of the Tuam News,
though it scorched him a little editorially. If the
sender sent his proper name, brother McPhilpin
knows a member of the Pigott family. The ob¬
ject is to discourage the real workers by ignoring
them, and thus sap the root of the movement. It
wont work.
In last Gael we asked our Hibernian and other
Irish-society friends what they had done during
their existence to preserve Irish nationality. We
have received no answer yet — nor never shall!
Traveling in the cars one is struck with the imm¬
ense number of advertisements which he sees call¬
ing attention to the excellence of this and that
English magazine or journal — the Contemporary
Review, the Nineteenth Century, the Westminster
Review, "the leading Free Trade paper of the
world," etc. etc. What is all this for? — To shape
public opinion in the interest of England. What
are the Irish doing to shape public opinion in
their interest? — nay, to preserve that of which the
enemy dare not deprive them except by death?
By a universal support of THE GAEL it could be
made to shape public opinion in their favor. Mil¬
lionaires are not necessry to do this; the generous
support of those of moderate means would accom¬
plish it.
That nominally mild government, the Austrian,
has prohibited the use of the national language in
its conquered provinces. Very recently we chroni¬
cled similar action by the Turkish, Russian and
German governments. These powerful govern¬
ments do not consider their forcibly acquired pos¬
sessions wholly subdued while their language re¬
mains, and yet, apart from the Gaels, What are
the Irish masses doing to preserve theirs? But
perhaps they are wiser and more far-seeing states¬
men than the monarchs referred to!
THE PHILA. PHILO-CELTIC SOIETY.
The Phila. Philo-Celtio Society held its annual
meeting for the installation of officers for the com¬
ing year. The list is as follows. —
President, Patrick McFadden; vice-president, W.
Devine; cor. sec., Chas. E. Cranney; fin. sec., J.
Collins; rec. sec., James Jos. Hughes ; treasurer,
Miss Lizzie McSorley; librarian, Miss Mary Ma¬
honey; sergt.-at-arm, John O'Connell. The
Council of the Society are, — Peter J. Murphy, J.
J. Robinson, J. J. Lyons, Edward Meakim, Thos
McEniry, Chas. McCann, Miss E. O'Connor, Miss
E. O'Leary, Miss Sarah Mallon.
After the routine business had been transacted,
the members entertained one another very pleas¬
antly with songs, recitations, etc. Mr. McFadden
was particularly good in rendering an excellent
composition on Donegal. Mr. Lyons addressed
the members in Gaodhilge congratulating them on
the good selections of officers and expressed a
hope that they would conduct the business of the
Society successfully during 1891.
The Secretary reported that the Society was in
a good financial condition as the balance on hand
at present is much more than at the same time last
year. It being now late, the meeting adjourned.
James Jos. Hughes,
Sec.
We hope subscribers in arrears will
pay up; keep the ball rolling.
