The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-11-17
An nlustrious lrishman.

An nlustrious Irishman.
Matthew Lyons, a Native Of the County
| Wicklow.
| Mr.. j. Fairfax Mclaughlin of New
York, who holds prominent position
in the Surrogate's Office Of that city,
has just published, most valuable
contribution to the early history of our
country in the shape of a Biography
of Matthew Lyon, whom Mr.. Nc
Laughlin calls The Hampden of Con-
gress.'
Mr.. Mclaughlin is Catholic and
has found time to write much. One
of his best known and earliest pieces
of writing WAS his sketch of the life
of Father Boyce, who wrote many
novels under the name "Paul Pepper
gras,' the best known of which per-
haps was "The Spaewife.' read by
hundreds a quarter of a century ago.
Mr.. Mclaughlin writes me that he and
Father Boyce were great friends.
| Father Boycc was priest in the
diocese of Boston, and in the days Of
Knownothingism made himself heard
and felt. He not only used his brogue
and pen, but being Of gigantic stature
and athletic build lie used on more
than one occasion his hands and feet.
says r. C.Glraner in the Catholic CO.
lumbar.
In the recent work from the pen Of
Mr.. Mclaughlin, he delightfully."- gives
us a biography of an exile from Ire
land, who by sheer force of indomitable
will and courage and pugnacity made
for himself a name and place in the
time of the Revolution and in tile
early days of the young republic.
| Matthew1I4yon was born in the coun-
ty Wicklow, Ireland, in 1850 and came
to this country when lad and was
sold as a bOndsman, part of the pur-
chase money being two young bulls.
He never forgot this fact and was ra-
ther proud of it; many a. time in after
and more prosperous days, he used to
iexclaim in his rich brogne by the
bulls that reclaimed me!'' That was
not only an Irish bull, but two of
them in fact Mr.. Mclaughlin i'll his
preface well says: mo other Ameri-
can illustrated more thoroughly than
Matthew Lyon the eXcellency of demo
ADMINISTRATIONS in affording to every
man of character and talents a fair
field for honorable distinction
The author enlivens the pages of the
work with such passages as this: ''If
Calhoun always took pride in his Celtic
origin. Gen. Jackson was not behind
him in devotion to the Celtic race
When he was President nearly all his
personal attendants We're natives of
Ireland. He would reason with them
advise and exhort them as though they
were members of his own f:lmily." In
this connection Mr.. Mclaughlin draws
on Thomas Darcy McGee for the fol
lowing anecdote showing Jackson's
kind heart: Many instances Of the
Generals tllougltfulness have been re-
lated to us by living witnesses of the
facts. We have perused a most kind
and characteristic letter from the Gen
eral TO Mr.. Mailer, the public gardener
at Washington. on the death Of his chill
dren. 1t is conceived in the most
fraternal and cordial spirit of SYM
pathy.
s'Jaclson's man servant, Jenny
O'Neil, was-afas, poor Jemmy-given
to sacrifice too freely to Bacchus, and
on those occasions assumed a rather
troublesome control over all visitors
and jewellers in the White House. At
ter many complaints Jackson decided
to dismiss him, and sent for him ac-
cordingly. Jacksnn-Jemmy, you and
must part. Jemmy-Wly so, Gen
eral? Jackson-sEvery one complains
of you. .Iemmy-And do you believe
them, General? Jackson-Of course,
what every one says must be true.
Jemmy-Wefl, NOW. General, I've
heard twice as much said against yon,
and never would believe Il word Of it.
(ESit the GeneraD.'
Young Lyon lived some ten years in
| Connecticut, serving as bondsman to
1.-TWO masters and as the author puts it,
notwithstanding the poverty and
struggles of his boyhood his career in
Connecticut was an honorable one.
Commencing as n Redemptioner and
buying his freedom before the expira-
ton of his term of servitude he so
conducted himself that every incident
Of his life there shows a certain law
of development as its characteristic.
mark" At the age of 81 he married
a daughter of Thomas Crittenden, des-
tined to be the first Governor of Yer
mont. This lady was a niece of the
famous Ethan Allen. In July, 177G, he
was lieutenant in one of the, COM
panles of Green Mountain Boys" and
as he had fought. with Ethan Allen at
Mc0nderoga was subsequently in great
favor with many Of the American gen
erals. 4
VVvf a,