“We are assembled in the Rhode Island State House today to dedicate a memorial in honor of Maj. Gen. John Sullivan whose service to the country and this State during the war of the Revolution is familiar to every American, and whose career as a soldier, statesman and jurist will be eloquently depicted by those who will be presented to you later. My remarks will be confined to a short history of the American Irish Historical Society under whose auspices the memorial was erected, and a reference to the movement and spirit which prompted the work. “The American Irish Historical Society was organized in Boston, January 20th, 1897. Certain gentlemen interested in historical work, believing that proper recognition had not always been given by historians and others to the part taken in the settlement, foundations, upbuilding and general affairs of the United States by those of Irish descent, brought forth the idea of a society, national in its scope, that should be devoted to making better known the Irish Chapter in American history, by giving plain recitals of facts, correcting errors, supplying omissions, discouraging prejudice, establishing right and truth, and giving rightful place and just due to historical matters concerning American citizens of Irish nativity, blood or extraction. Invitations were sent out by these gentlemen, and an enthusiastic meeting took place, at which representatives from seventeen States were present; and the following were elected the first officers of the Society: “Rear Admiral Richard Worsam Meade, U. S. Navy, of Washington, President-General; Mr. Osborne Howes of Massachusetts, Vice-President-General; Hon. John C. Linehan of New Hampshire, Treasurer-General; Thomas Hamilton Murray of Rhode Island, Secretary-General; and Thomas B. Lawler of New York, Librarian and Archivist. “The first Executive Council consisted of the foregoing and Mr. James Jeffrey Roche of Boston, Hon. Robert Ellis Thompson of Philadelphia, Hon. Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Hon. Edward A. Moseley of Washington, Mr. Augustus St. Gaudens of New York, Mr. Joseph Smith of Lowell, T. Russell Sullivan, a direct descendant of General Sullivan, of Boston, and Hon. Maurice F. Egan of Washington.