The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-07-25
AN IRISH STATESMAN.

AN IRISH STATESMAN.
Romantic Career Of Ohevalier John Keat-
ing-A Man Of Character.
From the Catholic News: One of the
strangest scenes Of history is that which
folio wed the treaty Of Limerick, when
the unconquered Irish army marched
out, and by the terms Of the treaty each
regiment was left free to make its
choice, either to serve the cause Of Eng
land, and give their lives and strength
to upholding the cause, or to enter the
service of England's hereditary foe,
France. Few, few indeed, trusted the
treacherous English; the majority
marched proudly on to where the white
flag of France foated. This was the
nucleus of the famous irish brigade,
which met the English on so many bat
tlefelds and decided the battle of Fon-
tenoY by SCATTERING the English line,
King George IL exclaiming as he gal
loped from the field: Course the laws
which deprive me of such subjects!'
Among the troops which issued from
the walls of Limerick on that eventful
dav was a company of cavalry raised
and commanded by Jeffrey G. Heating.
It drew no under the lilies of France,
and made it's noble record in France
and Italy under Marshal Catmat.
Valentine, Baron Heating. son of jeff
rey, attempted to make his home insIre-
land. but the penal laws made life intol-
cradle.
He returned to France, where his
four sons, John among the rest, OBJ
tanned commissions IN the Irish brigade.
John was born at Castle Heating, Linz
erick county, Ireland, september IS,
1853; and his gallantry in the Walsh
Serrant regiment won him the cross of
Knight of st. Louis. He served in
the West Indies when the Irish brigade
wrested Eustatia and other places from
the British, then in Pondicherry and
the island Of Maurltius, suffering ship
wreck near the Cape OF Good Hope in
1778. The outbreak of the French revo.
luton found him colonel and governor
ad interim of Cape Francois, st. Do
mingo. "John Keating," says the Duke
De La Rochefoucault-Li ancourt, ''hav-
ing confidence in all parties, and having
refused the most seductive offers Of the
commissioners Of the convention, pre-
ferred TO retire poor to America rather
than remain rich and in honor at St.
Domingo, by violating his first oath-a
man Of character, strict yet mild, of
distinguished merit, rare intelligence,
uncommon virtue and unexampled dis.
interestedness." He joined party of
French noblemen and others who had
resolved to settle at Asylum, Pa. But
after a short experience he found that
they were not associates to his taste,
and he removed to Philadelphia. Here
he soon won general respect, esteem
and confidence. His Life was long pro-
longed, till he was probably the last Of
dcer Of the Irish brigade and the last
who received Che CROSS of St. Louis
from Louis XIV. Clement g. Biddle
said of nina: "Where, will ask, can
you produce more polished or accom-
plished gentleman, a more pious or de-
vout Christian, q more excellent and
estimable man? Vino, during a long
and WE'LL spent life has enjoyed more
the respect, confidence and esteem, as
we'll as affection Of all his contemporar-
les, high and low, rich and poor, exalted
and humble, than John Keating?"
Such was this gallant Catholic gentle
man in his 93d year. still clear in mind
and active, although he bore a commls-
sion in the French army when Napoleon
Bonaparte Was cadet.
Mr.. Henry de Courcy, writing Of him
a few years later in those sketches
which shallow English writer has just
discovered and criticises severely in a
recent book, although mere than tortv
years before the public, said of Colonel
Heating; although more than SO
years of age, he continues to occupy
every Sunday his wonted place in St.
Marys and ENJOYS univeral esteem
throughout the city,"
This gallant soldier. of a liue OF col
diers, truly Catholic, died in Philadel-
phia.
His children and descendants were
honorable. John, his Oldest son, died
at the age Of 25, but had been member
of the Pennsylvania Legislature. wiz
Liam Hippolytus was professor of chem
istry and mineralogy in the University
of Pennsylvania; founded the Franklin
Institute in 1924; was geologist and his
torian of Longs expedition in 1923, and
published an account of it. Hisnephew.
William. educated at st. Mary's Col
lege. Baltimore, was an eminent ply
s-1 e loo y