The Scotch-Irish in America

A SONG- OF WELCOME.

Written and Recited before the Congress by Mr. Frank L. Stanton, of Atlanta.

With the voices that rise from her mountains,
With the songs of her valleys and plains,
With the murmuring flow of her fountains,
With the April that dreams in her rains;
With the joy of her spring—the enchanter,
Whose roses climb, kissing her mouth,
She wafts you her welcome, Atlanta,
The queen of the South.

Her mountains, her valleys, will sing it
No song that is tempered with sighs;
Her winds in wild music will wing it
To the blue and the answering skies;
O, welcome, our friends and our brothers,
From the northland, the eastland, the west.
Our country—her smile is a mother's;
Rest here on her breast.

We meet you, we greet you, we glory
In your states, in your honors, your names.
The whole world is bright with your story,
And the wreath on your foreheads is fame's.
Clasp hands with us here in the splendor
Of friendship's fair temples and domes;
And take from our hands what we render—
Our hearts and our homes! '

Part I - The Fourth Congress

BY A. C. FLOYD.

The fourth annual Congress of the Scotch-Irish Society of America was held in Atlanta the last week of April, 1892. Perhaps no city in the South better exhibits the spirit of progress and development which pervades this section of the nation than Atlanta, and certainly none presents more attractions to the visitor.

For the benefit of our members who were not able to attend the Congress, we quote some extracts from an article on "Atlanta," written by the Rev. George L. Chaney, and published in the New England Magazine of November, 1891. Mr. Chaney is himself a Boston man who has been living in Atlanta for several years.

The infancy, youth, and maturity of the city are associated with the three names it has borne: Terminus, Marthasville, and Atlanta. We know that. Atlanta has grown, but if the writer quoted means to say that Atlanta is grown, then her people will raise their voices in dissent, believing that old age will, for many long years, refrain from placing his destructive hand on her fair-brow to tear thence her well-won laurels.

Nature has bestowed upon this fair city of the South a delightful climate,, taken all the year round, that is not, perhaps, surpassed, if equaled, in this country; and her situation is such as has necessarily made her a great commercial center. Already ten great railroad lines center here, and the numerous street railways connect with many charming suburban towns.

Eighteen banking companies, having an aggregate capital of over $5,000,000, have been established here. Colleges and schools of various kinds are attracted to this city as their natural center, and her public school system is as good as any in the South. Atlanta has, perhaps, more church-goers than any city of its size in the United States.

The old business houses, which were built in the style usual with rapidly growing cities, are giving place to handsome, compactly constructed edifices; prominent among which are the Equitable, Chamber of Commerce, Chamberlin and Johnson, High, Gate City Bank, and Law Buildings.

The Courthouse, Capitol, and Customhouse are worthy of the state's capital; the million dollar Capitol, which was built inside the legislative appropriation, reminds one, in its style and proportions, of the Capitol at Washington.

The Young Men's Library, with its fifteen thousand volumes; the Y. M. C. A., the Home for Confederate Soldiers, and the Grady Hospital are among the institutions which exemplify the public spirit of Atlanta's citizens.

Atlanta's police force is excellent; her fire department, in skill and promptness, is unsurpassed.

DeGive's Opera House and the newly erected Edgewood Avenue Theater furnish amusement for Atlanta's play-goers; and an elegant new theater will soon be opened.

At Grant Park, the prettiest and most extensive in the city, is to be found a large and well-kept "Zoo." Within the park is Fort Walker, which, with its surrounding fortifications, its cannon and caissons, and its collection of balls and broken shells, brings to mind the horrors of the late war.

Two life-sized statues of Atlanta's beloved sons, the distinguished Senator B. H. Hill, and the matchlessly eloquent orator, H. W. Grady, stand the one in the capitol grounds, the other on Marietta Street, in front of the Customhouse. But while Atlanta loves her dead, she honors her living; with her sorrow hid in her heart- she seeks those on whom the mantles of her dead kings have fallen, gladly welcoming the friendly stranger within her hospitable gates, and no city is more beloved. Vive la ville, Atlanta!

The attractions outlined by the gifted author were themselves sufficient inducements for us to select Atlanta as the place of meeting; but more persuasive than these even was the hearty enthusiastic invitation which we received from her people. This invitation came from the Governor of the state of Georgia, the Mayor and City Council of Atlanta, the Atlanta Scotch-Irish Society, the Board of Trade, the Y. M. C. A., the Evangelical Ministers' Union, the Northern Society, the Grand Army Post, the Confederate Veterans' Association, and all the representative bodies of the city. It was presented to us on the platform of our third Congress, at Louisville, Ky., by the most prominent and eloquent orators of the city. Such attractions so presented were not to be resisted, though San Francisco, Cal., and Springfield, O., were holding out their hands to us in hearty welcome. As will be seen by reading the papers of distinguished Georgians in this volume, the state is a stronghold of Scotch-Irish stock, and Atlanta is the product of their hands.

All the people of Atlanta—and, indeed, of Georgia—were, in a certain sense, represented in the invitation extended us by their Governor and city authorities. The organized bodies that joined in the invitation include in their ranks nearly all the prominent and public-spirited men of Atlanta. It was, therefore, not surprising that from the beginning a lively general interest in the Congress was manifested by the best elements of the city. The Scotch-Irish Society of Atlanta, however, took the lead in making the arrangements for our entertainment. A finer body of men than they no city in the land can muster. This Society was organized in April, 1890, during a visit which Dr. John S. Macintosh and Col. John W. Echols, representing the National Society, made to Atlanta for that purpose. During most of the time since its organization, Rev. Dr. J. N. Craig has been its President, and until his removal to Texas in the summer of 1891, Mr. W. Hugh Hunter was its Secretary. To Mr. Hunter in largest degree was due the permanent organization and first considerable accessions to the ranks of this splendid body. Of pure Scotch-Irish blood himself, and with a strong conviction of the importance of his work, Mr. Hunter threw into his efforts an energy and enthusiasm which could not fail of success. After his removal to Texas the work was taken up and has been carried on with the same gratifying progress by his successor, Mr. T. H. P. Bloodworth, the present Secretary. This Society appointed special committees of arrangements for the Congress, selecting partly from its own ranks and partly from the other organizations that joined them in the invitation. The supervision of all the arrangements was imposed upon an Executive Committee, consisting of Dr. J. N. Craig, Chairman; Mr. T. H. P. Bloodworth, Secretary; Judge W. L. Calhoun and Col. H. F. Starke. Dr. Craig is at the head of the Home Missions of the Presbyterian General Assembly, a leader in the counsels of his Church; and, what is not generally expected of a clergyman, is a man of rare executive ability. Mr. Bloodworth is a successful business man, with the characteristic energy and ability of his race.

The name of Calhoun is a household word, but not on account of the great family to which he belongs so much as because of his goodness of heart and vigor of intellect is Judge W. L. Calhoun the idol of an admiring constituency.

Col. H. F. Starke is the grandson of the revolutionary hero, John Starke, and in him do the qualities of his illustrious ancestor live again.

The names of all the committeemen are given in the pages immediately following this article, but special mention is due Capt. G. B. Forbes, Chairman of the Invitation Committee, whose address in this volume breathes the spirit of fraternity which we are striving to cultivate; to Mr. J. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman of the Finance Committee, whose respected name and influence, as well as his personal efforts, enabled the committee to secure the necessary fund for expenses; to Col. J. R. Whitesides, Chairman of the Committee on Halls, for his untiring efforts to provide for the comfort of visitors; to Col. Lavender R. Ray, Chairman of the Committee on Speakers; and to Mr. J. L. C. Kern, Chairman of the Committee on Music.

For several months before the date fixed for our meeting these gentlemen devoted themselves to the preparations for the event. The arrangements were projected on a most generous plan and were carried to the most satisfactory completion, as will be seen by reference to the report of the Executive Committee, published in another part of this volume.

The officers of the Society began to arrive in Atlanta the first days of the week of our meeting. The members, many of them with their wives and daughters, continued to come during the entire week until a goodly crowd of representative Scotch-Irish people were present from every section of the nation. It may be said, without disparagement to the cities which have heretofore entertained us, that the arrangements for sight-seeing and social entertainment were, in many respects, superior to those of our meetings in former years. This was due, in some measure, to improvements in our programme, suggested by experience, and to the superior facilities of Atlanta as a convention city.

The Kimball House, one of the largest and best-equipped hotels in the United States, was the official headquarters. Within its capacious walls were gathered the bulk of the visitors from a distance. Situated in the very center of the city, every point of interest in and about Atlanta is easily accessible from its doors.

The principal social event of our stay was the reception tendered the Congress at the Gubernatorial Mansion by Gov. and Mrs. Northen, who are themselves the highest types of Georgia's manhood and womanhood. Within the halls of this historic mansion the brilliant throng assembled was entertained with a genuine warm-hearted Southern hospitality which will not soon be forgotten. The social attention which we received did not end here, however, but continued to the hour of our departure. The freedom of the city was tendered us by Mayor Hemphill at the beginning, and it was no empty compliment. Every one, from the Governor down, seemed delighted to contribute to our pleasure, and the result was a week of the completest enjoyment.

The exercises of the Congress were held in the Hall of Representatives of the state Capitol. This magnificent building has been completed only a few years, and is a source of just pride to Georgia. The hall in which we met is a perfect audience chamber for our purposes. Our usual Sunday service was held in the afternoon instead of at night, as heretofore. DeGive's Opera House was chosen for this meeting, because it was the largest auditorium in the city. It was crowded to its utmost capacity, and the same profound religious impression was made that characterized the similar services held at Pittsburg and Louisville in 1890 and 1891. The far-reaching and elevating influences of these services cannot be estimated. The national Society has no part in making the arrangement for these meetings. They are entirely under the control of the local committees, who have, year after year, by common consent, chosen Dr. John Hall, of New York, to deliver the sermon of the occasion. His towering form seems to suffer nothing from the ravages of time, and his great powers of mind and heart grow with the years, and draw men heavenward with greater and greater strength.

The report of our Executive Committee, in succeeding pages, reviews the progress of our Society during the year ending at Atlanta, and it would be needless repetition to set it forth again at this place. Suffice it to say that we are moving steadily on to the accomplishment of our high purposes along the lines laid down at the beginning. The rapidity and scope of our progress in the future will depend upon the continued interest and work of our individual members.

It is earnestly hoped every member of the Society will endeavor to bring into our ranks during the year a number of his friends, and that we may close the year with the best record of any in our history. Springfield, O., will be our next place of meeting. The date fixed is May 15-18, 1893. Springfield is situated in the heart of one of the most populous, fertile, and beautiful sections of the United States, and is rich in historical incidents of special interest to the Scotch-Irish race. It is forty-four miles southwest of Columbus, eighty miles northward of Cincinnati, and one hundred and thirty-five miles eastward of Indianapolis. Through its railroad systems, the Pennsylvania, the Big Four, the N. Y., P. and O., and the Ohio Southern, and their connections, it is easily accessible from all directions. Excursion rates will be had over all the railroads. Springfield has about thirty-five thousand inhabitants, largely engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, in which it is easily ahead of the world. Its people cannot be excelled in warmhearted hospitality, and all visitors will receive a royal welcome. Mr. George H. Frey, of that city, will be glad to furnish information relating to Springfield and the arrangements for the Congress to all who may desire it. Mr. Frey is one of the most honored citizens of Springfield, and to his influence principally is due the selection of that city as the place of meeting. The early announcement of the time and place of meeting it is hoped will enable us to secure a larger attendance at our fifth Congress than we have ever yet had.

Contents

Part I
- Committee of the Local Organization at Atlanta
- Letters and Telegrams
- Invitations from the Governor of Ohio, city of Springfield, and local organizations
- Invitations from the Governor, Senators, Representatives, and State Officials of Iowa, the city of Des Moines, and the Scotch-Irish Society of Iowa
- From President Harrison
- From Lord Wolseley
- From Col. Wilson, of West Point
- From Lord Dufferin
- From Hon. Joseph Medill
- From Mr. Douglas Campbell
- From ex-Chief Justice Daniel Agnew
- From Hon. W. H. Alexander
- From Senator David B. Hill
- From Rev. Thomas A. Cook

Proceedings.

First Session of the Congress

Opening exercises
Dr. J. N. Craig's address, introducing Gov. Northen
Address of welcome by Gov. Northen
Mayor Hemphill's address of welcome
President Bonner's response to the address of welcome
Presentation of gavel to President Bonner
Mr. Grady's letter to Mr. Bonner and the reply
Remarks by Dr. Macintosh and ovation to President Bonner
Col. Adair introduced by President Bonner
Mr. Henry Wallace introduced

Second Session of the Congress

Devotional exercises
Prof. H. A. White introduced
Prof. George Macloskie presented
Dr. Henry Quigg introduced
Mr. Frank L. Stanton's poem read
Maj. Charles H. Smith introduced
Col. G. W. Adair's impromptu address

Business Meeting

Report of the Executive Committee
Treasurer's report
Report and remarks of Col. John W. Echols
Report and remarks of Mr. Helm Bruce
Discussion of reports
Report of Nominating Committee
Dr. Maxwell's presentation of Jacksonville's invitation
Meeting of the Executive Council

Third Session of the Congress

Devotional exercises
Hon. Patrick Calhoun introduced
Maj. Charles W. Hubner's poem read
Mr. Helm Bruce delivers an address

Fourth Session of the Congress

Devotional Exercises
President Bonner introduces Dr. J. H. Bryson
Impromptu address by Col. G. W. Adair
Petition to close World's Fair
Capt. G. B. Forbes, Rev. Samuel Young, Hon. David D. Roper, and Mr. I. W. Avery introduced for short addresses

Fifth Session of the Congress

Devotional exercises
Dr. Hall introduced by President Bonner
Rev. Dr. Cook's impromptu address
Invitations of Springfield, Des Moines, and Jacksonville presented
Mr. George Frey's remarks in behalf of Springfield
Hon. W. H. Hunter's remarks seconding Springfield's invitation
Mr. Henry Wallace in behalf of Des Moines
Rev. Dr. McConnell's remarks seconding the invitation of Des Moines
Dr. Macintosh in behalf of Jacksonville
Resolutions of thanks, etc.
Closing prayer by Dr. John Hall

Constitution and By-Laws
Officers of the Society, Executive Committee, Life Members

PART II.

With a Sprig of White Heather. A poem by Wallace Bruce

Addresses

The Scotch-Irish of Atlanta. By Col. G. W. Adair, of Atlanta, Ga.
The Scotch-Irish of Iowa. By Mr. Henry Wallace, of Des Moines, Iowa
Three American Ideals—The Puritan, Cavalier, and Scotch-Irish. By Henry Alexander White, M.A., Ph.D., D.D., of Lexington, Va.
The Georgia Cracker. By Maj. Charles H. Smith (Bill Arp), Cartersville, Ga.
Scotch-Irish in Georgia. By Hon. Patrick Calhoun, of Atlanta, Ga.
The Ireland of To-day. By Rev. Dr. John Hall, of New York
The Scotch-Irish in America—Who are they? and what are they? By Dr. A. Given, of Louisville, Ky.
The Inventors of the Scotch-Irish Race. By Dr. John H. Bryson, of Huntsville, Ala.
An Early Ulsterman. By Mr. George H. Frey, of Springfield, O.
Scotch-Irish Homespun, and Acts of the Scotch-Irish Fathers. By Rev. H. Calhoun, of Mansfield, O.
The Scotch-Irish Settlers and Statesmen of Georgia. Contributed by Col. I. W. Avery, of Atlanta

Short Impromptu Addresses

The Evolution of The Scotch-Irish
By Prof. George Macloskie, Princeton College
By Rev. Henry Quigg, D.D., Conyers, Ga.
By Rev. Samuel Young, Allegheny City, Pa.
By Col. I. W. Avery, Atlanta, Ga.
By Judge Hamilton McWhorter, Atlanta, Ga.
By Capt. G. B. Forbes, Atlanta, Ga.
By Hon. David D. Roper, Slatington, Pa.
By Mr. Helm Brace, Louisville, Ky.
By Judge James B. Gordon, Philadelphia, Pa.
Shamrock and Thistle, a poem. By Mr. Charles Hubner, of Atlanta, Ga.
Closing Religious Exercises at DeGive's Opera House including Dr. John Hall's Sermon.

In Memoriam.

List of Members.