Sunday Washington globe., 1902-06-08
Editor Sunday Globe.

Editor Sunday Globe;
On the first instant very unfair and un'
truthful article was published in your paper
by gentleman whom thought my friend
on a friendly reception of a distinguished
Irish Lord.
It is true that l did visit Lord Charles
Beresford at the Shoreham in this city dur.
ing the first week Of March, 1899, and were
he to visit this beautiful capital again
would most assuredly call on him just as
one gentleman would visit another al
though he is lord by courtesy only as the
son of an Irish marquis and rear admiral
in the British navy. am proud in the in
nate consciousness of the fact that / con-
sider myself as good a man as he is.
know that / am scion of a more ancient
and far greater family than he or any
other "Cromwellian" from like stock.
Being connected in my younger days with
an Irish railroad that ran through the Water
ford estates of Lord Beresford's father had
many opportunities of coming officially in
contact with him, and always found him to
be genial, honorable and courteous Irish
gentleman, and he always treated me re-
spectfully and cordially.
AS the information given through the
columns of your paper is erroneous I will
explain.
Upon Lord Beresford's arrival in this city
from California and the West / at once re-
paired 10 the Shoreham where he was stop
ping.
Ny call was both respectful and friendly
and in view OF prior acquaintance was quite
apropos that made the visit. On sending
up my card to Lord Beresford he sent his
secretary. Mr.. Robin Gray, who said "Mr
O'Bnen. Lord Charles Beresford wishes you
to come up TO his rooms with me. Thanks
to you and am very glad to meet you, etc. +"
When Lord Charles saw me enter he came
forward and put out his two hands to greet
me and said: "Ahl Mr.. OBren we are both
getting older than when we met in Water
ford in our young days" The last time I
met him was IN 1874 when he was returned
at the head of the poll as member of Par
lament for Waterford county at the general
election of 1874 as a Home Ruler. He was
then twenty-five years old and when
met him at the Shoreham he was forty
seven.
Well we talked on general topics about
Ireland and Irishmeu in this country, etc.
He then stated: Il met some very fine Irish
men in San Francisco and Chicago. / felt
proud, too, to see my. countrymeu holding
fine positions, some enjoying wealth and so
many educated, and others eager to acquire
an education"
On taking my leave of Lord Charles
suggested that l would introduce him to a
few Of my Irish friends, to which he gladly
assented and expressed a desire to meet
them any time; he would remain in the
city until next Wednesday.
asked him if be had seen our President.
''Yes, indeed he replied, ''and he is fine
fellow" Then l told the Admiral that he
is Irish too for he is the grandson of an
Irishman, and one Of his ancestors, a Will
lam Mckinley, too, was hung in 1905 as
rebel against British rule
"Oh, yes, the President mentioned your
name to me, said Lord Charles If we had
any doubt said the President as to your
nationality, Mr.. O'Brien's letter in this morn
ings Post dispelled them
On the following Monday l again called
in company with gentleman, the son of an
Irishman, who was then a resident Of this
city, highly cultured gentleman who en-
joyed Lord Charles conversation and vice
UerSa.
1t is false to aver that invited several
Irish-Americans by circular; no one knows
this better than the writer of the article
whom invited personally and he declined
saying he had some business engagements
for that day.
Indeed l may say that 1 was very glad
that he declined for / had a few leisure
hours at my disposal, enabling me to send a
floral decoration gates ajar'' OF some such
emblem, as no doubt n.y. friend would have
talked poor Lord Charles to death all about
himself and Othello like he would tell of
the battles and sieges he had won and his
hair breath escapes by food and field for
the gentleman was an old soldier.
1t is absolutely false to say that we called
in the evening in dress suits. We called
about IL o'clock the morning before he left
for New York and this last visit did not
exceed forty minutes in duration.
My friends here who know me knows that
I am not very anxious at any time TO don
dress clothes except on occasions where alb
solutely necessary.
1t is also false to say that while Lord