The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-03-28

by some it was known as st. Brenden's s
land. Certain it is that on the map or
chart made for Columbus by Polo Tos-
cannelll, of Florence, bef0re he started
on bic voyage. the supposed land was
set down opposite Europe and Africa
and called st. Brenden's Land.
Those who are so anxious to call Eng
land the mother country of America
little know of where or what they speak.
The Irish people forced by alien tyranny
to seek homes in foreign lands, early
turned their steps toward the Greag
Ireland. and long before the tide OF im-
migration set in from other countries,
they were flocking here IN great num-
bers. The result was as given IN sworn
testimony before a committee Of the
English House of CommOns-that when
Washington flung to the breeze the flag
of American freedom One-half Of those
who fought-aye; and conquered be-
meath Its glorious folds were Irishmen,
and 1t is to be presumed that large
portion Of the other half had Irish blood
in their veins. And here allow me to
mention this fact as a Slight correction
to those who lightly talk OF native
Amerlcanism, that 1t was given ia evil
dence before the same committee by one
Joseph GALLOWAY. native American,
that not one hfth part OF the Americans
from choice have supported this rebel
lion. while Lord George Germaine tes-
titled that there were more native
Americans enlisted in the British corps
in the Colonies than in WashingtOn's 3
army.
In It'll, that indefatigable worker in
freedoms cause, Franklin made tour
of Ireland and was unanimously ad-
mitted to seat ten the floor of the Irish
House of Commons--a privilege never
before accorded 10 any stranger. or his
mission he wrote "Being desirous of
seeing the principal patriots Of Ireland
T. stayed till the opening of Parliament
I found them disposed to be friends TO
America, in which endeavored to CON
firm them, with the understanding and
assurance. that if we were successful in
establishing our Independence our
growing weight would in time be
thrown in to their scales to aid in es-
tabllshing their freedom and this con-
tract is not fully performed ON our part.
In Ireland the people aud the Parlia.
ment gave to Americas Patriots their
entire sympathy and all the support in
their power. and On two separate occa.
sions the Continental Congress warmly
thanked them therefor. In England
Burke. Barre and Sheridan ably cham
pi0ned America s cause. In France the
Irish exlles-the McMahons, the Dill.
lons. the Reaches and the Fenerties raj
lied rOurd the standard of the match
less Lafayette, while in America, Mont
gomery, Sullivan, Knox, Clinton, Shield.
Rutlege, McCleary and Mad Anthony
Wayne in the army, and saucy Jack Bar.
rY, the first commodore Of the American
navy, the man whom all British gold
could not buv, MCGEE. McDill, o. Brieu,
Mcneil enough in the navy, with hosts
of others in both branches of our army
proved bv their services and their blood
their devotion to America.
AS case OF timely l1beralitY may
mention that when Washington's army
was in danger of famishing for want OF
supplies. forty Of IreIand's sons in Phil.
adelphia came promptly to their aid
with the muni6cent contribution OF
$3.50, 900. Those were business men OF
Philadelphia and were members of 80.
clety called the sons of ST.. Patrick
And again during the same gloomy
period of 1778. the darkest period of the
American Revolution, the city of Dub
lin. alone, contributed one half million
Of dollars to the poor storm tossed So
journers of Valley Forge. l might
mention here that most of the army at
this time were irish and marched IN
the depth of winter without coat. shoes
or hat, barefo0ted they left on the frozen
ground their tracks in blood. This was
characteristic patriotism of race that
has struggled for It's country's liberty
and Independence for more than seven
hundred years.
OF the signers Of the Declaration of
Independe THAT most precious char
ter of human rlghts-eleYen. including
the secretary were Irishmen, while some
Of the principal Fl amers Of the c0nstitu-
tion of this country, and notably Rut-
lege, were Irishinen. From that time
down to the present, abused. suffering,
struggling, but unconquere and un-
conquerable. Ireland and glorious free
America have been very fast friends;
and we are free to confess that the
Irish aided us very largely in establish
ing the liberties aud rights we enjoy
under our stars and stripes, nor have
the Irish emigrants been an undesirable
addition to our population; We find
them in every Profession, in every trade
calling, and vocation of life, and art
not generally found wanting, nor arr