The Irish standard., 1897-09-11

their being overtaken. The Englishman
was after the escaped prisoners, and in
a few minutes had brought signals to
bear, demanding that the American ship
stop. Captain Hathaway took in sail
and inquired what they wished
stop! Give up those prisoners!"
came the voice through the trumpet.
"We have no prisoners!" called back
Hathaway.
"You took six prisoners from the two
small boats; England demands them
without parley," was the reply.
II say we have no prisoners" cried
Hathaway, and turning to his officers,
he gave the command to hoist all sail;
I'VE are an American whaler on the
high seas, and recognize no authority,
English or other"
The English captain was clearly an
CRY; his fighting blood was up; he felt
that not alone he but the English nation
as we'll had been insulted by this up
start Yankee skipper.
Stop! or I'll sink you," he cried, as
the Catalpa responded to the breeze
upon ner bellying sails.
His answer came in the shape Of the
American flag rushing to the masthead
and the defiant voice of Hathaway call
Ing: Fire upon that flag if you dare!"
From the silence of the English guns
that had been directed toward the
American it was evident that he had
taken into consideration the old adage
that "discretion is the better part OF
valor," and the two ships rapidly parted
company, the one going south, while the
other bore toward the north on her long
journey to the shores of freedom
Captain Breslin, who commanded the
expedition, was the same man who had
rescued James Stephens from Dublin
prison in November, 1865. Late in 1876
the Catalpa once more touched Ameri-
can shores and landed the exiles in New
York.
The success Of the trip increased Rey-
nolds' popularity with Irishmen His
name is never mentioned by those who
were favored with his friendship but
with quivering lip and trcmulous voice,
and this story of his exploit is known
to every Irishman.
In the course Of the funeral sermon at
New Haven, Conn.,, Rev. FIR. OConnor
spoke Of the dead patriot as follows:
When the unwelcome news of his death
was sent abroad the hearts of good men
stood still with grief. They knew that
the orphan had lost father, the widow
protector, the laborer friend, the
city loyal citizen and the community
gentleman.
Need teel. you of his love for his
country? Did he not spend his life In
her service and sacrifice his fortune for
her?
Need I recall that romantic episode
In Irish history in which our departed
friend SO prominently figured? He res
cued from the penal colonies of Austria
liza his fellow countrymen.
If you would know the man 20 into
the homes Of poverty and distress in
this city. Ask the orphans that have
| been fed and the widows that have been
succored by him.
Wherever the oppressed suffered
wherever the flag of liberty is unfurled,
the name of James Reynolds is re-
| vered.
But while he loved his country much
| he loved his God more. He never
thought himself bigger or greater. than
Gods church, of which he was a faith
full member BY the light OF faith he
saw the greater home-and he realized
/ that religion makes the truer citizen and
the truer gentleman. Throughout his
sickness he was cheered by the knowl-
edge that during his busy life he had
not forgotten his God and neglected his
religious duties Our Lord commended
the just man, saying, II was naked and
you clad me, was hungry and you fed
me, l was in prison and you visited
me-" Our departed friend fed the hun
CRY, clad the naked and he visited the
prisoners in the penal colony If not in
person he sent them visitors who COM
forted them and set them free
Our loss is his gain. He has gone
to the reward Of a just life.
The Hibernian Record says Of him:
He was one of natures noblemen. Hon
est fearless and determined with a
pride OF country and love of freedom
which never wavered, his life shone out
brightly in good qualities during the
fifty years of his residence in this land
of liberty. He was one of Connecticut s
most respected citizens. In his own
town he enjoyed to a most remarkable
degree the esteem and approval of his
townsmen, irrespective of color, creed
or party; and beyond this he was known
and loved by the friends of liberty ev.
erywhere. BY consent pleasing to his
friends as it was universal he was con.
sidered by all classes to be the exponent
Of IlishAmerican thought and scnti.
ment, and he, when called upon to re-
present his race, always proved cqua
to the occasion, and made for us a re-
preventative OF whom we could Justly
and properly be proud He was hum.