The First President
The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, April 30, 1938.
Selection Unanimously Acclaimed — "The Country Before The Language."
The selection of Dr. Douglas Hyde (An Craoibhinn Aoibhinn), Frenchpark, County Roscommon, to be first President of Eire has been acclaimed by all parties and by high dignitaries of the Church. Messages and telegrams of congratulations have been received by Dr. Hyde from all parts of the country.
Ald. A. Byrne, C. D., Lord Mayor of Dublin, who had intended to contest the presidency, has decided not to stand and it is therefore certain that Dr. Hyde will be elected without a contest.
His Eminence, Cardinal MacRory, has expressed pleasure at the selection, and the envoys who brought the official invitation to Dr. Hyde at Frenchpark on Friday also carried the approval of the Labour Party. Most Rev. Dr. Morrisroe, Bishop of Anchory, expressed pleasure that the choice had fallen on an esteemed friend and neighbour.
Letter of Invitation
The official letter of invitation, in Irish, was handed to Dr. Hyde on Friday by Mr. P. J. Little, Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, and Mr. Paedar Doyle, C. D. In reply, Dr. Hyde, expressed thanks for the invitation and announcd that he would accept.
Dr. Hyde is taking his position very quietly and is quite unflustered by the publicity showered upon him. On Friday evening he went out for a round of golf, with a close friend, Very Rev. Canon Sinclair, Cloghran, at Castlerea, who, incidentally, defeated the President elect.
In a statement to the Press, "An Craobhinn," said in Irish, that he would do his utmost to advance the language if he were elected. "But," he said, "the country comes before the language."
"Dr. Douglas Hyde has done excellent work for the Irish language throughout his life, and I am sure the people will see that he deserves the high honour that is to be conferred on him", said His Eminence Cardinal MacRory, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
"I am very glad that an agreement on the question of the Presidency has been reached," continued His Eminence, "because it was most important that the President should be above party politics"
Highly Esteemed
Most Rev. Dr. Morrisroe, Bishop of Achonry, said he was glad that the choice had fallen on a very highly esteemed friend and neighbour. The people of the locality felt that signal honours had been done them by the tribute paid to An Craoibhinn Aoibhinn.
His Lordship said he hoped that Dr. Hyde would be spared many years to enjoy a position which was the greatest that could be conferred on any Irishman.
Mr. Luke Duffy, secretary to the Party, told a Press representative that Labour looked upon the selection of Dr. Hyde as a tribute to a man who had worked hard and accomplished much in the building of a Gaelic Ireland.
From the cultural and national standpoints the selection of Dr. Hyde is an excellent one said Senator Ruane, P. C., chairman, Ballina Urban Council.
Dail Chonnacht, meeting at Ballyhaunis, congratulated Dr. Hyde on his selection as the first President of Eire.
Mr. Pilib O Bhaldraithe, who presided, said the honour conferred on Dr. Hyde was a fitting climax to a lifelong career strenuously and unselfishly devoted to Irish literature, and the creation of a healthy Gaelic State.
They in the Gaelic League felt proud that the highest office in the land should go to Dr. Hyde.
Knowing him intimately, he had no doubt that Dr. Hyde would fill the presidency with satisfaction to all.
"Now as in the past," he added, "the best interests of a free Gaelic Ireland would be safe in the hands of Dr. Hyde."
Resolutions
The Northern Council for Unity, at a hastily convened meeting, unanimously adopted the following resolutions; —
- We rejoice in the decision to put forward an agreed candidate for the Presidency of Ireland and hope that all groups and persons will concur and so ensure an unanimous election;
- We specially rejoice in the selection of Dr. Douglas Hyde, a universally respected patriot, whose person, and noble record, render him a first citizen, who should be acceptable to all Irishmen, North and South, irrespective, in Davis' words of "creed or class or clan"
- We assure the political leaders in Dublin that all men of good will in the separated position of Ireland lend fullest moral support to their decision and we wish Dr. Hyde length of years in the exalted office to which he is about to be called.
- We take this opportunity to appeal to our fellow Ulstermen who are not in the nationalist camp to recognize in Dr. Hyde's selection a signal of welcome that awaits them, in the comprehensive unity of the Irish nation, and we plead with them at this auspicious moment to add to their own contribution to appeasement at home and abroad by casting in their lot in a united and glorious independent nation.
- Finally, we remind all concerned that one thing remains necessary to consummate the welfare of Ireland and good relations with her neighbor; the unification of the historic territory over which a great noble Irishman is about to be elected to preside.
Police Activity
There was considerable police activity in the neighborhood of Dr. Hyde's home on Friday. A squad of Irish—speaking Guards and detectives are assisting the Frenchpark Gardai. Sergeant Tomas Morrisroe, Eglinton street station, Galway is in charge of the Galway Squad. Sergeant Morrisroe is a native of Frenchpark and is a brother of An Craoibhinn's chauffeur. They were both taught Irish by Dr. Hyde. Sergeant Morrisroe's friendship with Dr. Hyde extends back over several years and has been maintained by personal contact and through correspondence.
The salary to be attached to the office of President hasn't been decided, writes the Political Correspondent of "The Irish Press".
There is no reference to the amount in the Constitution and a special Bill will require to be passed by the Oireachtas to prescribe the amount.
This may not be diminished during the term of office of a President.
References in the Press to a salary of £15,000 appear to be based on the recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into Ministerial and other salaries which considered that this should be the total amount of salary and allowances.
The nomination of Dr. Hyde will cause a vacancy in the membership to the Senate.
As he was one of the eleven nominated members, the vacancy will also be filled by nomination of the Taoiseach, in accordance with Article 18 (10) (2).
There is no provision yet for the filling of vacancies among the elected members of the Second House and Legislation will be required.