The Irish standard., 1902-11-08
How the Irish Saved France in the Days
of King Louis from Defeat
by Saxon Troops
Vivid Sketch of the Battle Of Clontarf
When the Celts Freed Erin
from Danish Sway
Vivid

A lecture was recently given under
the auspices of the a. O. IT. ut OF
tumwa. Iowa, by Rev. John O'Farrell.
the pastor Of st. Patrick's church, on
Some Of the Characteristics of the
Irish Race" In the course of his
address Father O'Farrcll said:
When the Apostle st. Patrick
christanized Ireland, he turned her
people from the ways of war to
those of peace. He tanned their pas
sions and made them lovers of peace,
of home and Of God. Their swords
were turned into plowsharcs. Their
bardS sang no more of war heroes
and of CORY victories, but of redelnp-
tion and soul rest, through the blood
of Jesus Christ. Irish hearts were
chastened, purified and transfgurcd
by Christianity, but the whole world
bears witness that change in the
national religion did not KILL but
rather perfected the Irish valor. or
this fact, our friends, the English peo-
pie. have had abundant proof, from
tllc days of Stronghow to the close
of the late Bocr war. From instances
almost without number, select one
il is tho BATTLE OF Ifontcnoy. During
the progress of that world famous
fight a column of veteran English
soldiers, 5000 strong, with cannon on
their tanks ana before them, march,
cd over the battle ground and through
the French camp. crushing every
opposing force.
The French king, in despair, turn
cd to flee from the field, when Irish
Lord Clare requested him to await
the effect of an attack by the Irish
soldiers in his service. In soul NOV
ing words the Protestant poet Dnvis
tells the sequel. l quote Il portion Of
his battle poem:
"Likc lions leaping at fold, when
mad with hungcr's pnng
Right up against the English line the
Irish exiles sprang;
Bright was their steel, tits bloody now,
their guns are filled with gore;
Through shattered ranks and severed
files, and tramplcd flags they tore;
The English strOvc with desperate
strength, paused, rallied, stagger-
ed, fled
The green hillside is matted close with
dying and with dead.
Across the plain and far away passed
on that hidcous wracl,
While cavalier and fantnsin dash in
upon their track.
On Fontcnoy. on Fontcnoy! like eagles
in the sun
With bloody plumcs the Irish stand
the field is fought and won"
What wonder that after the battle
the English king, George III, with
tears in his eyes, cried out: 'Curs'd be
the laws that deprive me of such sub
jccts.'
/ have spoken OF the deeds of the
Irish brigade in the service Of France.
/ might also tell of the military re-
nown of the Irish soldiers in the scrv-
ice of Spain. Austria and Germany.
Turning to our own young republic,
] might dwell with enthusiasm on the
| llncqualcd valOr and persistent patriot
| ism of the Irish brigadcs in the serv-
ice Of America during the Mexican
war, and the war of the late rebellion.
| might tell you of 'Saucy Jack Barry
| Father Of the American Navy of
McDOnOllgh, S hield ds, COrcOrnlI.
McAgher, Mulligan, and host of
! others, but will speak of only one and
| his name will be written on the rec
Ords OF time in letters of unqucnch-
able light. He is the pride OF Amer
F., lea and the honor OF the Irish race.
He was the favOritc general of the
great commander, Grant, who declar-
cd him to he the greatest military
chief living or dead. refer to Little
! Phil. Sheridan. Gen. Adam Readeau,
in his memoirs said that Sheridan was
the Hannibal of the American war,