The Irish standard., 1895-03-30
FROM THE PEOPLE E,


Sketch Of Hon. Patrick Walsh, Now
ss United States Senator from
ID Georgia.
THE DEFENDER OF THE SOUTH,
"A Man Of the People, Unpreten-
tious and Unassuming In His
Habits.
Il Hon. Patrick Walsh, United States
Senator from Georgia for the unexpired
term Of A. b. Colquitt, stands forth as
i one of the conspicuous members Of the
& Catholic laity in this country, says Geo.
Barton in the Philadelphia Catholic
Times Anative Of ireland, the influence
OF his example and the vigor Of his achieve
ments have added lustre to the Irish
name and character. A citizen of the
South, his eloquent tongue has pleaded
her cause and defended her rights at all
timesand under all circumstances. A prac-
tical, working newspaperman his success
is q matter of pride to his colleagues in
the journalistic profession and is source
OF inspiration and hope to the humblest
worker in the ranks. Senator Walsh
sprang from the very lions of the people.
He has stood for the masses of the peo-
pie in body that is too often accused Of
being the mecca of millionaires. He
climbed from the bottom rung of the
ladder to the pinnacle of political and
personal fame and has obtained the
highest honor the American people can
bes5ow upon any man not to the manner
born. All Of this has been accomplished
by push, pluck, energy, perseverance and
inherent WORTH and ability. Such a man
is credit to the Church and an honor
TO his native land, as he is also a living
illustration of the possibilities Of Ameri-
can life and American manhood. 1t be
spmes q matter of profit, as it is matter
OF, interest, to trace his life from it's begin
ming until the present time.
Patrick Walsh was born in BalIingarry,
County, Limerick, ireland, January 1,
l84C. In 1648 his father emigrated to
America with his family, settling in
Charleston, where Patrick was soon ap-
prenticed to the Evening News to learn
the printers trade. At the age of Is he
became q journeyman printer, and sub
sequently pursued his studies in the
Charleston High School, earning money
for bis expenses by setting type at night
IN the newspaper offices. In 1859 he
entered Georgetown College, District of
Columbia, where he remained until
South Carolina receded from the Union
when he returned to Charleston and en-
tered the service of the State,
In August, 1852, he settled ia Augusta,
where he obtained employment on the
Daily Constitutionalist working his way
to the frontin the office, and becoming, ia
1865, local editor Of the paper He con-.
tributed largely to the news and editorial
columns and was active in shaping the
Journals policy during the critical war
period, In 1864 he became associated
With z. 4. Bleme in the publication Of
the Paclfcator. q weekly paper with an
extensive circulation in the South, but
without entirely severing his connection
with the Constitutionalist.
! Tn 1866 he was appointed the South
ern agent of the New York Associated
Press, and in the same year became busi
ness manager Of the Chronicle and
Sentinel which in 1877 was consolidated
with the Constitutionalist, Messre.
Walsh and Wright continuing sole man
ayers and editors. s...
s 1870 II Mr.. Walsh was elected mem
ber t,f the City Council OF Augusta, and
ggin 1872 was sent from Richmond county
to the General Assembly of Georgia, and
i was re elected in 1874 and 1876, serving
IN the meantime on many important
committees. He was q delegate from his
connty TO the State Democratic Con ven
tion in 1880, delegate to the National
Convention which nominated General
Hancock for President the same year,
Ss and in 1884 one Of the delegates sss,
large to the Chicago Convention which
nominated Grover Cleveland for Presi-
dent. He was also tor four years the
Georgia member OF the national Demo
cratic e1ecu tive committ As . muni-
3tDipal and State legislator he proved him
self diligent committeeman and an