The Irish standard., 1897-06-26
ling on quite another field. but making
gigantic conquests. nevertheless, and
winning their way to the hearts of all


gigantic conquests. nevertheless, and
winning their way to the hearts of all
men.
In the latter part of the seventeenth
century and the early portion of the
eighteenth the flow of emigration from
Ireland was most copious. In 1775 there
came to this country 1880. Half the
Revolutionary army were Irish, as evid-
enced by the information furnished to
the British House of Commons about
this time. 1t was also about this period
that congress passed that famous ad-
dress to the Irish people, setting forth at
the outset their influence, their worth,
their sterling sound qualities as citizens
and patriots and their distinguished
career as soldiers, as statesmen, and as
philanthropists. The surprise Of Forts
William and Mary was really the first
act Of war on the part of the colonists
against England and the fact is most
important, because it demonstrates that
Sullivan had at this remote period the
war in sight and was determined to urge
| 1t on, and, as between this act and those
of Patrick Henry in Virginia, there was
| marked contrast.
The audience was treated to a very
lucid disquisition on the bravery of the
Irish at the battle of Bunker HILL while
| the details of this great event itself were
related and accorded an extensive notice
from the lecturer. Right up against the
rail fence on this CORY field the Irish
dashed through the redcoats. driving
them back twice and saving the Amer
ican troops from annihilation, and on the
tablet of honor there are today on this
| field the names Of seventy-one Irishmen
as belonging to the New Hampshire COM
pany alone (cheers) who sacrificed their
| lives for American liberty.
Congress appointed committee to pre-
pare Declaration of independence, and
of the Sc delegates present 12 were Irish
men, or 1rishmen's sons. An Irishman,
Capt ]. Nixon, read it in Philadelphia to
large congress of people. Charles
| Thompson first prepared this important
document from the draft of Thomas JEFF
ferson, and another Irishman, Capt. Dun
| lap, printed and published 1t to the world
| (Applause.) In 1880, when subscrip-
tion was started in Philadelphia for the
purpose of furnishing funds for the sup
port of the Continental army, the Friend
ly Sons of st. Patrick subscribed more
than one-third of the whole amount,
| which was 81 ,5000 900. These were try
Ing times trying to the courage, the
| perseverance and the resources of the
people. But from the war of the Revolu-
| tion up to 1912, and thence to the war of
| the Rebellion right through, the devo-
| tion of the Irish race to the cause of
| American liberty and independence re-
manned unabated All this reflected
halo of glory upon the views they had
taken, as well as upon the obligations
they had assumed They remembered
| their forefathers, and they remembered
| the same glorious recommendation for
| their race and creed-the entitement to
be recorded, respected, honored for the
| performance of their duty. The same
| glorious record was to be found of the
regiments of the Irish brigade during
the late war. (Cheers.) They lost over
1000 in killed and wounded.
In finishing up his address Gen.
O'Beirne said word for the Irish he
roes of the early American navy, in
stancing the several battles in which
Erin's sons distinguished themselves, and
giving now and again fairly lengthy
biographical sketch of the honored
hero. The first, of course, to be noticed
was Commodore John Barry from the
County of Wexford, whose name Is
household word in American history.
Next came the brothers O'Brien, who
captured two of the first prizes; then
Porter of Irish descent, McDonough of
Irish birth. and many others.
The names of the signers of the Dec
laration of independence were read out,
from which one could hear those OF Celtic
origin pronounced pretty often. Follow
ing this came review of the career of
Gen. Philip Sheridan, the battles of Win
chester, Cold Harbor and Hannibal Court
House. Michael Corcoran and the rec
ord of his brigade came in for consider
able notice. and the lecture closed with
a review of the illustrious career of Gen.
James Shields.