As we can see in this video from 1953, the Habs motto used to be AUTHORITY ETERNAL (written in Latin). This video was shot 2 years before Frank Selke introduced TO YOU FROM FAILING HANDS WE THROW THE TORCH BE YOURS TO HOLD IT HIGH, as we find the war poem In Flanders Field.
[1953 Montreal Canadiens Hockey at the Forum with Maurice Richard and coach Dick Irvin – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqb2dUPsQAQ)
by biloutte
2 Comments
Cool find!
Interesting.
I had looked it the meaning on Google and I saw a link for a website which is to do with Latin languages. It might be a line from the Twelve Tables (Roman law).
[Twelve Tables and translation](https://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Latin/Texts/01_Preliterary_period/12_Tables.htm).
Table III, section 3:
‘Adversus hostem aeterna auctoritas <esto>’
(Against a foreigner the right in property shall be valid forever)