The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-12-30
The BRITISH ATsBUNKERsHILL.
Matter of Erecting a Monument on
Boston Common,

The regular meeting OF the common
council OF Boston was held on Nov. 20.
Among the matters considered was the
scheme OF the British-Americans to
erect monument on the Common to
the British soldiers who were killed at
Bunker Hill We give below that part
OF the official account OF the meeting
which refers to the monument.
Mr.. Watson. OF Ward IS, offered an
order-That special committee to con-
sist OF five members OF this council,
with such OF the board OF aldermen as
may join, be appointed to wait on his
honor the mayor and the cemetery
trustees and urge them to revoke the
permit granted the Victorian Club to
erect a monument on Boston Common.
The question came on giving the
order second reading.
MIR. Watson-Mr. President, it may
seem strange to some members this
evening that l should introduce an
order for committee, and l will briefly
state why have introduced it. AT the
last meeting OF the common council
resolution passed here unanimously pro-
testing against the erection upon Bos-
ton Common OF statue by British
society. That resolution has by this
time reached his honor the mayor, and
from all reports which | have received
he has no intention OF revoking the per-
NIT or recalling his approval. The reso-
luton has not reached the cemetery
trustees, and, therefore has not been
acted upon by them. Ii a joint COM
mittec OF the city council is appointed
and waits upon his honor the mayor,
and asks him verbally to revoke the
permit or to recall the approval which
he has given, the people OF Boston will
know whether he is friendly to the
scheme; and ii the committee waits
upon the cemetery trustees, it can easily
find out whether or not they intend to
revoke the permit. arise here MIR.
President and iellow-members, as an
American citizen. born OF Amer
lean people, born in this country, yet
bear no feeling against any man because
Of his race, color or creed. God gave
him brains to seek enlightenment in
reference to religion, education and
other matters, and when man chooses
his life. he must abide by it. He is
answerabc for himself, and himself
alone, to higher Being. While | am
upon my feet speaking in favor OF this
order OF mine, l desire to call the at
tention OF the members Of this body to
an article which appeared in paper
which l want to say frankly | did not
buy, but which was sent to me as a
marked copy-known as (here Mr.
Watson mentioned the name OF a Brit
ish paper published in Boston, which
am ashamed to hold in my hand, but
which l feel compelled to bring to the
attention of those who are born in this
country, and those who are not, OF those
who believe with me and OF those who
do not, who are attacked by this news
paper With the permission OF the
council l will read sentence or two
from it, showing the kind OF people who
ask to have this statue erected upon
our breathing spot-Boston Common.
This, Qhe British paper)-well, they
have to cut out the British" in order
to sell enough copies to pay for the
printing I wish to read sentence or
two from it. In the issue OF Saturday,
November IS, gentleman named Neal,
whom l do not know at all, and do not
know where he belongs, but believe ii
l had the proof l would be apt to claim
and think l can prove the claim i'll
time-that the gentleman is not citi-
zen OF the United States, because so far
as l have gone I cannot find his name
upon the voting list, and good citizens
vote, has letter to the editor. 1t
starts as follows:
SIS Boston an Irish or an American
city,"
Editor OF the (name OF paper)-It
would seem, by the trend OF things, that
Boston's name should be changed to
Erin Go Bragh" Qaughtcr) as it has
just been found
The Prcsident-The council will be in
order.
MIR. Watson (continulng)-As it has
Just been found out that Boston is all
English name, and cannot be re-
tanned ii Linchan, Collins, Klein, Glib
bons, Watson and Stevens can have
their way They have decided that no
gravcstones shall be erected on the
Common after liberty to do SO has been
given by the sons OF true Americans,
who know what is proper and just to do
at all times.
want to say that this society, which
has asked and has obtained the permit
or approval OF his honor the mayor to
erect this statue, is unable to raise sui
ficicnt money in the United States to
erect it, They are gct1lng funds in
England today with which to erect that
monument That shows how much
sympathy American citizcns-not that