The Catholic Irish moved rapidly into law enforcement, and (through the Catholic Church) built hundreds of schools, colleges, orphanages, hospitals, and asylums. Political opposition to the Catholic Irish climaxed in 1854 in the short-lived Know Nothing Party. The Irish vehemtly opposed blacks and abolitionists before and during the Civil War, and led the battle to stop Chinese immigration in the 1870s. The most important organization in the late 19th and early 20th century was the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Irish dominated the Knights of Columbus, but it was open to Catholocs of all ethnicities. | The Catholic Irish moved rapidly into law enforcement, and (through the Catholic Church) built hundreds of schools, colleges, orphanages, hospitals, and asylums. Political opposition to the Catholic Irish climaxed in 1854 in the short-lived Know Nothing Party. The Irish vehemtly opposed blacks and abolitionists before and during the Civil War, and led the battle to stop Chinese immigration in the 1870s. The most important organization in the late 19th and early 20th century was the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Irish dominated the Knights of Columbus, but it was open to Catholocs of all ethnicities. |