The Irish standard., 1894-06-23
THE UNION JACK.
How it Went Down Before the
Green at Ridgeway and
Erie.
THE RAID ON CANADA IN 1866.
An Interesting Story of the Bat
=. ties by One Who Was
~ There.


-. ties by One Who Was
There.
Twenty eight years ago the Irieh peo
pie at home and here were filled with
enthusiasm and hope. In few days al
was over, and we have nothing to point
to save the victory at Ridgeway, says
Rudolph Fitzpatrick lGen. O'Neill's
Chief Of Staff in late issue of the Irish
Republic.
Perhaps we are wrong IN putting it so
absolutely. The spirit created there is
not dead yet, and there are thousands a.
anxious now as eyer to cross swords with
the British. That is good. 1t is some
thing to be very proud of thet despite
the prison and the scafold, the bitter
disappointments and the heartburnings,
the spirit of nationality is not quite dead
and may yet bring us to victory. ~.
The history Of ths Fenian movement
is familiar to nost people.
twas grand one, grand so far as the
aarnsstneas aud enthusiasm was COZ
Asser1aes, and grand even in regard to the
leadsrs until it had outgrown them.
Bigger men, hravsr Inen, would tiave
starriad 1t to success, but their littleness
eGznet 10 the front with the ieRlousies In
s1his teuntry, which split it into oppos.
sniEy scsaaps, aud James Stephens was
nrt the man to move, Of himself, it's vast
proportions. Sanguine inaginings and
yaciliation on Stephens part hope
lessiy wrecked the movement at hone,
and the O'Mahony and Roberts factional
disputes rendered successful action hers
impossible.
Had there been no dissension the Irish
forces might have been in Canada before
Johnson felt called upon to Interfere,
and the Irish, once on Canadian soil,
might have found not unwilling ally in
the United States. There were thous-
ands OF men whom the Government
would have been glad to havs thrown
into Canada.
The striking at England through Can
ada was certainly very feasible scheme,
much more 40 than the sending OF an
army TO ireland, with our base Of sup
plies SO uncertain that it might bs cut
off ut any moment, and the pity is the
UMahcney men and the Roberts men
could not agree. And it seems to be ever
go with us, the other fellow is always a
scoundrel. A little forethought, little
patience and very great deal less of
evesy man anxious TO be q leader, and ali
would be we'll.
We sincerely hope that when next we
march on Canada, or proceed to strike
England in any part Of her empire, we
may he prepared to keep up the fight un.
til she nurrenders-not Canada or India,
or any ether of her possessions, but Ire.
land. Can it be that the day is not far
off when not the Union Jack, but the
flag OF an Irlsh republic shall wave over
Dublin Castle? We think it is not. May
We be right. vs.
The story Of the battles OF Ridgeway
and Erie We Leave to the gallant officer
who took leading part in both, and
who has survived many hard thought
fields besides, and is still able and willing
to WELD the sword.
THE STORY OF THE F1GHT.
never believe in undertaking an ene-
my, neither have I ever believed it un-
fair or improper to bestow upon foe all
the credit it's attack or defense entitled
it to.
It has been fashion on the part OF
many to decry the yalor and heroism 80
frequently displayed by English arms in
the many battlefelds in which they
enacted part, and comparisons have
been frequently drawn unfavorable il
their characters as comparable to these
feats of prowess displayed by the mili-
tary forces Of other nations.
At times some of my countrymen Join
in making allusions or assertions Of the
kind. It Jrishmen gave such ideas that
subject Of such seriousness demanded,
they would perceive that in making little
of the greatness Of the British Empire.
and the bravery Of it's armies, they were
making their case, as q subjected people,
less likely to receive herespect il would
be entitled to than If they gave that
power it's just due and squarely acknowl-
edged it's greatness as 3 nation and it's
might as power Militant.
TO put the matter IN q nutshell. IL
England is only the second 81 third rate
power that she i. at times e epaessnted
by blatant orators running Tor political
lices il tho ohslce would