HIBERNIAN "OATH" MYTH

Evening Star, Issue 15140, 24 March 1913, Page 4

HIBERNIAN "OATH" MYTH

At question time in the House of Commons on January 23 Mr Joseph Devlin, Nationalist member for West Belfast, called attention to the accusation of Colonel Hickman (C), in a public speech, that the members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians took an oath to "-wade deep in Protestant blood." He said that on Wednesday Colonel Hickman challenged him to read the declaration and obligation of members of tho Order, and he would now read it. The declaration set out that the applicant for membership would support the constitution and rules of the Order, would not reveal its business and passwords, and pledged him to conform to its rules in all things lawful, and not otherwise. That, said Mr Devlin, was the only obligation and declaration made by any member. Colonel Hickman began to explain some of the grounds on which he referred to the oath. He understood it was not denied that it was tho oath of the Ribbon Society, and that the Ribbon Society were practically the same thing as the Ancient Order of Hibernians. (Cries of "No, no!") The Speaker (interposing): The hon. member has made his explanation, and should leave the matter where it is. Cries of "Apologise!" and "Withdraw!"