242

may have been coualed but has not been surpassed by that of succeeding generations, or by that of any other race. It is also worthy of note that they did not permit re- ligious differences to dwarf their charity or lessen their patriotism; on the contrary, they found in those virtues a common stand- ing ground on which they met as brothers in the new world to perform works of char- ity and benevolence. Nothing was done, however, to organize a distinctly national so- ciety until Col. John Ready, an Irishman of great distinction, arrived here in the year 1824, as lieutenant governor of the colony. Then their high resolves soon blossomed into united action. Colonel Ready, under whose distinguished patronage the new na- tional society was started, was a splendid type of the race and did not hesitate to en- courage the laudable efforts of his fellow countrymen to do honor to their native land.

It was not easy in those days to procure acts of incorporation; in fact, the Legisla- ture had not met for five years before he ar- rived, therefore the founders of the new na- tional society—now the oldest in the prov- ince—-decided to frame their constitution and by-laws and submit them to His Excel- lency for his approval, which was promptly granted, as is shown by the following corre- spondence which appeared in the Prince Ed- ward Island Register newspaper of May 6. [825:

At a meeting held at the Wellington Hotel, In Charlottetown, on Monday, the 18th day of April, 1825, for the purpose of establishing in this Island a charitable society to be denominated the Benevolent Irish Society of Prince Edward Island, the following rules and regulations were submit-

ted to such meeting and agreed to be adopted: “Rules and constitution of the Benevolent Irish

Society of Prince Edward Island in North Amer- ica." Then follow the rules, seven in number. “Resolved, That the seal of this society be en-

PAST AND PRESENT OF

graved on brass. That the impression be the harp, crown and shamrock, with the motto of the Be- nevolent Irish Society of Prince Edward Island, the society to pay the expense by subscription. “Resolved, That the foregoing rules and con- stitution of this society be humbly submitted to His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, for His Excellency’s sanction and approval, and that His

Excellency be requested to honor the society by becoming its patron.

“Resolved. That (the president) Mr. Golf and the Reverend Mr. Fitzgerald be requested to wait on His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, with the foregoing rules and constitution of this soci- ety."

“This resolution having been carried into ef- fect, His Excellency was pleased to transmit the

following gracious reply: “Charlottetown, April 26, 1825.

“To Fans Gore, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

“Sir—I am directed by the Lieutenant Gover- nor to return the accompanying papers contain- ing the rules and constitution of the Benevolent Irish Society of Prince Edward Island, of which His Excellency highly approves and will have much satisfaction in becoming its patron, and of

affording every support in his power to the ob- jects thereof.

“I have the honor to be, sir, “Your obedient, humble servant, “(Signed) J. T. Husms, “Private Secretary."

For many years afterwards this society’s meetings were held quarterly, and annual meetings for the election of officials were regularly held; but the office of president only became vacant through death. resigna- tion or the expiry of five years. This regulation worked well and contributed largely to the permanency of the organiza- tion. No doubt many will feel interested in the oflicialty of the society in the early days. therefore we quote from the Register the following report of the annual meeting held for the election of officers at the end of the society’s first term:

DERIVOLENT IMSH SOCIETY.

Notice is hereby given that the first quarterly meeting of this society (for the purpose of paying