The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-24

and that hence ought to invest him with his natural
rights even in the States but think that is matter
with which zoe have nothing to do As regards the local
affairs OF other States il to that sustain the
same relations with them that do with other ndepend
ent sovereignties, to which bound by federal
ties No doubts that the sers of Russia robbed OF
their just rights Every Aasrcan beeyesnay, he haoo
that the subjects of every European OPP
pressed by being forcby dyesed of their just and un
alienabe rights But must leave the remedy TO time
and to God. We possess authority TO interere they
like ourselves enjoy the right of sgovernment; but
we to enforce upon them dogmas we should assume
the right Of gorerning them and hence should be guilty
OF subyerug the principle of sefgovernment TO which
we profess such unlimited attachment
We ask readers TO examine this subject thorough
y We have not doubt that they will find the same gem
eral awhe same sacred principle, which prohibits Us
from interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations to
be alike imperative in regard to the affairs of the States
other republican communities We are nation OF propa-
gandst but propagandsm must be silent and
full it must be limited the influence of results prop
agandst with arms in his hands is despot an execable
tyrant"
This was published, Mr. Chairman, on the 9Th day Of
February l847 by Isaac Butts esq., then editor OF lead
ing democratic paper in New York. having large circu
lation, and commanding wemerted influence with the
entire democracy of that State Here the full broad doc
rne Of popular sovereignty non-ineryenten, is for
the first time formally presented and discussed and en-
forced with ability in my State sira northern State
too where the democracy benighed that they were
made to believe when endorsing the Kansas Nebraska act
that they were casting their votes for Buchanan Brcckin
ridge, and free Kansas" But sir the democracy of my
State may find consolation in this outrageous libel
upon their true sentiments in regard to the slavery aga
ton when they learn that the member from Baltimore who
makes it has left record his adherence to the Wilmot
provso, in his somewhat famous declaration that
Congress has the same power over slavery lin the Terrific
res that it has the other relations of husband and
wife, master and servant master and apprentice parent
aud child and who follows in the next sentence OF
that asnom0red communication, the signature of
Hampden, and published in ls4s with modest advice to
the democracy particularly of the South, mot go against
the passage of the Wimot provso" We can afford to
emile at the puny assaults of such assaiants 1t is their
vocation to resort to assertions without proof decama-
ons without argument and violent censure without dig
nifty or moderation"
But, Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Baltimore city
not satisfied with ecturing the northern democracy
for the grave offence of standing by the rights the South
under the constitution and of declaring they have done
that agitaors and demagogue led by spirit OF ana
csm and intolerance shall no longer endanger the Union
by their reasonable plots and their mad crusades His
ambition restless and Unsuitable for he cannot con
cude his speech without trying bout with what he de-
nominaes the rish Brigade What particular class Of
feow-ctizens this fling aimed at am at loss
to conjecture There is body known to history under
that appellatona body of historical reputation whose
deeds Of bravery every battle field Of Europe have long
formed the glowing theme for the poets genius and the
scuptor art Bnt sir they too pure to be reached
by the genteman sarcasmtoo patriotic to be measured
by his we'll conned calculations of the oaves and fishes
which have unfortunately slipped through his fingers
brave be terrified by the insults of those
who would justify brutal murderthe murder of defence
less and helpless chdrenthe sacking of dwell
ngs and the burning of churches under the nsoen plea
of summary punishment" Sir, the "lrsh Brigade of
history composed Of patriots whom oppression in the
land of their birth had driven foreign countries to carve
out home and by their valor and their sword
The brightest page sir of the history of France is that
which records the deeds and of the "rsh Brigade
France however not the only country in which the
rish Brigade sgnazed tJ devotion liberty and its
bravery in achieving it, Sir the father of your navy
of that glorious band of heroes who shed usre on
the land of their BIRTH while they poured out their life
blood for the country of their adoption John Barry was
member of the Irish Brigade in Ameca-he who, when
tempted by Lord Howe with gold to his hearts content
&C, kattI
with these noble words ~ have devoted myself to the
cause of my adopted country, and not the value COM
mand of the whole British fleet could educe me from it,
he who when hailed by The British frigates in the West
Indies and asked the usual questions to the ship and
captain answered. sThe United States ship Alliance saucy
Jack Barry, half lrishman half Yankee. Who are you W
Sir saucy Jack Barry he styled himself was the first
American officer that hoisted the stars and stripes of
country board vesseofwar. So soon as the flag
of the Union agreed foated from the masthead
of the Lexington Captain John Barry But Captain John
Barry was not the only member of the "lrsh Brigade
whose down to US with the story Of the pri-
vatons and bravery of our revolutionary struggle Col
John Fitzgerald also of that immortal band ct
this member of the lrsh Brigade will let tho still liv
ing member of Washingons household the eloquent
and venerable Custis, speak
of revolutionary heroes was Irish officer in the old
Blue and Bufs-he first volunteer company raised in the
South in the dawn of the revolution and commanded by
Washington In the campaign OF lS and retreat through
the Jerseys Fitzgerald appointed addecamp to WASH
ington At the battle Of Princeton occurred that touching
consecated by history to everlasting remembrance
The American troops down by hardship exhausng
marches and want of food the fall of their leader
that brave old Scotchman General Mercer recoea before
the bayones of the veteran foe. Washington spurred
his horse into the interval between the hostile lines
refining up with the chargers head to the foe and cal
ling his soldiers "W you give up your general to the
enemy The appeal not made in vain. The Americans
U hope the gentleman from Maryland will pardon Mr. Gus
s for including Colonel Fitzgerald in their number and at
tribute Of patriotic fervor in the venerable his
torisn) faced aboat and the leveed both
Washington between themeven as though he had
been placed there target for BOTH 1t at this mo-
ment Colonel Fitzgerald returned from conveying order
to the rear; and here let the gallant veterans own
words He said; "On my return, perceived the general
Immediately between line and that Of the enemy both
lines leveng for the decisive fire that to decide the
fortune of the day. Instantly there of musketry
followed by shout II the shout of victory. On
raising my eyes, discovered the enemy broken and flying
while dimly amid the gmpses of the smoke, seen
Washington alive and unharmed waving bis hat and
cheering his comrades to the pursuit dashed my rowe
into my chargers anks and flew to his side exclaimng
thank God your excellency's safe | wept like child
for joy' This is what history tells of another member
of the "Irsh Brigade" Now, sir, il the gentleman from
Maryland will only suppress his horror and listen with pa
tence will tell him what tradition adds concerning this
brave aiddecamp of Washingtonths bold and intrepid
Irishman. After peace proclaimed and independ-
achevedaier the constitution had been put in ope
ration and Washington filed the office of Chief Magistrate
of the nstionbe sent for his old narmsthen
living in Washngton's county of Farfsx-and in
vited him accept the lucrative civil Office of collector Of
the customs for the port Of Alexandria This tradition
will be found to correspond with the records of the Treas
ury Department which may be read in the entry that
Colonel John Fitzgerald was appointed collector of the
President Of the United States April H. 1792 Thus we
find that the Father Of his Country he living
would come under the denunciaons of the gentleman
from Maryland and his know-nohing associates for