The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-03-24


IL. SATURDAY, MAR
shall arise in our midst Macaulay or g
Justin Mccarthy to separate from the
general mass of American history and
to depict in imperishable colors the
useful, important and distinguished
part acted in that history by Irish
Americans. American history would
read far differently to-day had not that
pure stream of Irish blood coursed
from the very origin of this nation, ele-
waiting, ennob.ing and giving strength
and beauty as it wended its way.
repeat the facts Of history only
when I say that Washington and the
revolutionary fathers would have been
put down by the iron hand of England;
the war of 1912 would have been robbed
of its glory, and the late rebellion itself
would have ended in a broken union
and a divided nation if Irish genius and
valor had not been present at each
crisis and made ali successful, which,
without them, would have been defeat
and disaster. The truth of this cannot
be denied: for, OF Washington's gener-
ais and army, one-halt were Irish and
Irisl-Americans, and old Hickory Jack
son
Who at New Orleans
Gave the English corn and beans,
was himself the son Of an Irish emf
grant. And do you suppose, gentle
men. that the North could have put the
rebellion down without General Saields,
the hero of Cerro Gordo, and the only
general who ever gave battle to Stone
wall Jackson and vanquished him;
without General Meagher, the soldier
orator, aud bis immortal Irish Brigade,
who bore the brunt of every battle in
which they wele engaged; without
General John A.. Logan, who saved the
day at Atlanta; without gallant, fight
ing Phil Sheridan, but for whose aid
General Grants victories would have
been impossible? these all were Irish
Americans, who ever felt and expressed
respect and affection for Ireland. In
every branch of American life Irish
Americans have left their
Footprints on the sands of time,
which can never be effaced as long as
this great nation lasts.
OF the signers Of the Declaration Of
Independence fully one-third were Of
Irish stock, and two Irish Americans
have in our history occupied the high
office OF President of the United States.
AT various times che proud distinction
Of being at the head of the legal profess
sion has been accorded to Irish Ameri
cans, notably James L. Brady and
Charles 0 Conor. Of New York.
Let us turn, gentlemen, to the dra-
matte stage. and there, also, we behold
Irish genius shining forth resplendent
and unsurpassed. In our own day We
have witnessed, spell. bound, the grand
creations Of Brougfam, of Boncicault,
of Barrett, and Of that ''noblest Roman
of them all, kind, genial john McCul
lOugh.
There is another Irish American
whose name I wish especially to men
tion today. He leads a great move
ment which has sprung up III this coun-
try during the last ten or twelve years,
a movement which is and has been pro-
ductive of the highest good To the la
boring man, which has caused him to
hold his head a little more proudly, and
which has taught him how to use the
ballot-that weapon Of the people
effectively, and his true dignity and
value as an American citizen; which
has made manual labor as respectable
as any other occupation. AT the head
of the organization which has produced
these blessings stands Terrence V Pow
derly, under whose wise, firm and
patriotic leadership the Knights Of La
Dor have become one Of the most pow
erful organizations for good of modern
times. Nor need we go beyond our
State to find Irish-Amerlcans whose
abilities and whose achievements have
made their own names, and Minnesota
as we'll, known on both sides Of the
Atlantic ocean. There is Ignatius
Donnelly, Minnesota's genius, scholar
and orator, whose ''Atlantis'' is the
most classic book of modern literature.
Then there is that great pulpit orator
Of the Northwest, Right Reverend
John Ireland, Bishop of st. Paul. He
who, at an early day in Minnesota, SAL
lied forth like knight of old, and with
his sword and buckler met the dragon
Of Intemperance and smote him to his
lair. If the time allowed me permit
ted, gentlemen, mauy more distin-
guished Irish Americans could be men,
toned who have helped to build up this
country to its present strength aud
greatness.