The Irish standard., 1902-05-17

tors" and great men generally who
figure as active leaders and banquet
ers. l have personally solicited no
others so as to again demonstrate that
our people don't care for such books.
Our people know nothing of Barry
beyond his name and that he fought
in the Revolution. That's all. They
don't want to know more.
In 1895 read before the American
Historical Association at Washington
Il paper on Barry. 1t was printed by
of our people paid fifty cents for IL
copy
In 1897 l issued 2Oo copies of as
complete Il history as available docu-
ments permitted, in Il book of 265
pages at 81 copy. Not over twenty
copies We're bought by Catholics. AS
the number decreased the price in-
creased. The United States govern
ment bought twenty-five ut $3.50.
The rest Went to collectors of Ameri-
cana and libraries mot Catholic).
The Portland, Me. Public Library
paid $15 for it's copy. The last copy
sold for $50 but that went to Catho-
lie priest, Father Scully, of Cam
bridge, Mass.
\ year ago Commodore Barry's pa
pcrs owned by an autograph collector,
of Wilmington, Del, over fifty years,
came to auction. The Library of
Congress bought few. \ Protestant
gentleman of New York paid 1,40O
for Il good share. Hon. John ID.
Crimmins, of New York, and few
friends here gave me authority to
but prices We're so enormous because
dealers had directions to buy at any
cost, that got but few. and these at
my own expense. | would not waste
friends money but take the chance
of examining the papers by consent of
the purchasers.
l have been to Washington and New
York and have examined and copied
all desired. Those of DR.. Emmett in
the LenoX Library are now being
copied for me. Time. labor and money
have been spent without limitation to
get all about the Commodore. What
for? Just to gratify myself and
gather all that pertains to those who
served my country or my Church.
Though Barry was the foremost
naval character of the American
Revolution, getting the first command
and fighting the last battle in COM
mand of the best vessel the United
States had, being appointed the head
of the new navy, he is vet unknown.
Those of his own race and creed
don't know him and don't want to
know.
Captain Hobson, III telling at the
Pan-American Exposition the deeds
of the Navy and naming twenty-one
conspicuous in service, hadn't Bar
ry in his list.
The head of the leading publishing
house in this city, from whom l got
an estimate of cost of publication,
had never heard of Barry. a leading
publisher of New York declared Bar
ry's name not sufficiently familiar" to
Justify publication of his life.
Catholics complain that he is not
paraded conspicuously in our history
and the Church Progress, as you re-
mark, grumblcd that a gunboat and
not Il small torpedo boat, was not
named after him.
When we know our own others will
know and honor them. Neither Irish
nor Catholics know what their own
have done in this country. They
boast but cannot prove. The truth is
our people are not bookish--they don't
read books-they haven't love for
books. and that. says Archbishop Ire
land, is next to the love Of God.
\ monument is not book. l am
certain l could collect more money to
build statue for our City Hall plaza
from people who don't know anything
about Barry than would give one dol
lar for Il book that would, if they read
| it, tell them why Il statue was proper.
Respectfully.
MARTIN l. ]. GRIFFIN.