The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-09-07
The Exiled Sons of Hibernia Reached the
Highest Positions in the
Service of France.
What They Have Done for America in War
and in Peace is Related by
Catholic Bishop.

arrive at accuracy, owing to the want
of statistics, but it has been estimated
that, since the establishment of the
colonies within the territory occupied
by the nation, nearly four millions of
Irish immigrants have landed on our
shores. Taking into consideration the
fecundity of Irish mothers, this is con-
elusive evidence that the population
Of the country is by no means what is
miscalled Anglo-Saxon; it is very
largely formed of the strong, active
hardy, generous blood of the Celt. In
truth there are not more than six or
eight millions of people in the United
States who can lay claim to what is
frequently designated as Anglo-Saxon
blood, although the history of Eng
land clearly proves that there is no
such combination-nor has it ever ex-
| listed.
The number of Irish soldiers in the
Revolutionary war gives us some idea
of the number Of Irishmen and their
descendants within the original tlir-
teen colonies. George Washington
Park Curtis, the adopted son Of the
"Father of His Country" tells us in
his personal Recollections'' that Ire
land UP to the coming of the French
had furnished soldiers to the Revolu-
ton in the ratio Of 100 to 1 of that of
any other nationality, and that they
were distinguished in every action Of
the war" When Joseph Galloway,
who had been delegate to the conti-
mental congress, but abandoned the
cause of the patriots, was examined
before committee Of the House Of
Commons (June 16, 1899, he declared
that in the Revolutionary war "there
was scarcely one-fourth native Ameri-
cans. about one-half Irish, the other
fourth English and Scotch" Their
names are prominent in every engage
ment; when they are not found in the
ranks they are assisting in some other
capacity. Witness Patrick Colvin, who
ferried over some Of Washington's
soldiers to Morrisville, Pa, after the
battle of Trenton. Probably for this
and other services, when Washington
passed through our state to be inaugu-
rated as first president in New York
city Patrick Colvin had full charge Of
the presidential party.
We have given to the American ma
ton Charles Thompson, the secretary
of the congress in 1776; Colonel Nixon,
who first read the Declaration of Inde,
pendence to the people; nine signers
Of the Declaration of Independence;
six trainers Of the Constitution; many
generals Of the army in every war;
and, along with many other naval he
roes. John Barry, the father Of our
navy. 1t must be conceded that We
have done our part and that large
one, from the first settlement Of the
country to the present hour, in peace
and war, in everything that has con-
tributed to the foundation, strength,
growth and prosperity of the nation.
Many other testimonies to the like
effect might be added. Am I not then
justified in exclaiming with the same
George Washington Curtis: "Then
honored be the old and good services
Of the sons of Erin in the war of inde-
pendence. Let the shamrock be en-
twined with the laurel of the Revolu!!
ton, and truth and justice, guiding
the pen of history, inscribe on the tab
let's Of Americas remembrance: 'Eter-
nal gratitude to 1rishmenv"
It is not necessary for me to refer
to the War of 1912, nor to the late
Civil war, in proof of Celtic valor.
Shall be able to enumerate even the
Irish leaders on the Union side-Mea-
CHER, Mulligan, Mcmahon, Meade, Nu-
gent, Corcoran, Collins and many more.
And among these gallant heroes the
fearless Sheridan, who, along with
Grant and Sherman, enjoyed the high.
est military title in the gift Of the
American people general-commander-
in-chief of the army of the United
States.