“One of the great disadvantages with which the Irish element in American life has had to deal,” said Mr. Healy, “has been the fact that histories and school text-books, current in the English speaking world, have been too largely the product of minds influenced and prejudiced by inherited anti-Irish animosities and pro-English traditions. “The Irish have been considered as pre-eminently a martial race because of their persistent and unconquerable struggles for a score of generations to vindicate the principle of Irish nationality. “It is true that the Celtic race has also been universally awarded an exalted place in the realm of poetry, oratory and song, as well as in devotion to family and in faithfulness to principle. It remains for the American Irish Historical Society to show other and equally important and admirable characteristics of the Irish race, and to point to other fields wherein Irishmen have distinguished themselves in meeting the current and pressing problems of America’s rapid and unparalleled development. “It remains for us to realize and to show to others that not only was it the Irishman’s pick that brought the earth’s hidden treasures to the surface, his shovel that made ready for the iron rail across the continent, but it was Irish brain and enterprise largely that developed the mines and constructed the steel pathway between the East and the West, thus making a national unit qualified and competent to deal with the nations of the world. “In the great life current of American nationality, the rich red blood of the Celt has been a dominant and fructifying tributary. “It also remains for us to realize our shortcomings and to aim for the highest ideals, not to be content with a leading place in the world of military renown, financial, industrial and commercial enterprise. We should earnestly seek correspondingly high places in the realm of philanthropy, moderation and universal brotherhood.” During the evening the Sullivan Memorial Committee having in charge the erection and dedication of a bronze memorial at the State House in Rhode Island to Maj.-Gen. John Sullivan, made a report through Judge Lee, its chairman, showing substantial progress and an intention to dedicate the memorial some time during the present year. Mr. Dennis H. Tierney made stirring remarks concerning “The Star Spangled Banner” as a patriotic song taken as a whole, and deplored the disposition of so many public bodies to leave out parts of it. After remarks by other members the company dispersed, having participated in one of the most entertaining and instructive banquets ever held by the Society. THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY, _Secretary-General_. [Illustration] THE SULLIVAN MEMORIAL. DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF MEMBERS AND GUESTS PRESENT—PROCEEDINGS IN FULL.