The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-02-07
The Father of tho Navy,

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That veteran historian, Martin I. J.
Griffin of Philadelphia, has just COM
pleted a good work for the honor of
good man, the glory of Erin, the truth
of American history and the inspira-
ton and encoura cement of Americas
youth, in his handsome book on Com
modore Barry just published at his
own expense. He deserves the thanks
and the financial support Of his fellow
countrymen. American history has
not always been treated by impartial
writers-men of Irish birth have been
slurred over nearly always and their
hard-won laurels placed OH other
brows. Witness the scant mention of
General James Shields in our text
books of history when his unique his
tory as a legislator as we'll as soldier
would warrant a very conspicuous
treatment. Mr.. Griffin while special
pleader for men of his race and faith
in history is still n very impartial
historian. Indeed, his strong disappro-
val of biased history leads himself Of
ten into unnecessarily giving credit to
others than his hero says the Irish
World.
When there is the least doubt Mr..
Griffin let's the other fellow have the
benefit-probably because he feels the
Irisllman has quite good share of
glory without Juggling in the mooted
questions.
This large. handsome volume of 424
pages and many illustrations. good
paper and print, good margins and
tasteful cover, leaves nothing to be
written on John Barry
His ancestry, birth, baptism, early
education, immigration to this coun-
try, upright business record here and
his early appearance as Il maker of
American history are all carefully at
tested and are full Of interest. With
his appointment under the Continental
Congress in 1915 to the command of
the first armed cruiser, the Lexington.
began his career as the leader of the
American navy.
His story for years is the story off,
the rise of the new republic and her
glorious start in history of the nations
John Barry's name is many times i'll
scribed in it, always coupled with
deeds of wise daring, practical sea.
manship and unselfish devotion to the
cause and to congress.
Mr.. Griffin was Jealous in the hunt
ing out in various libraries of Boston,
Washington and Philadelphia of docu-
ments throwing light on the doing on
sea and land of those troublous days,
whose only correct record is in such
original documents providentially pre-
served. John Barry's fame is safe
with them. To superiors, to subor-
dinates, to friend and foe, he was al
ways the man of courage and princi-
pie. Quick to sec his duty and strong
to do it.
His conveyance of Lafayette back to
France in 1871 gave a sample of his
character. He got orders to convey
and quickly-the Marquis back to
France.
On the way vessels We're encoun-
tered that, under other circumstances.
would be legitimate prey, and, like
Columbus on his famous voyage to
America, he had to subdue a mutiny
Of his crew, who could not see his
reasons for resisting fight. Like
the "Father of His Country" Wash
ington, Commodore Barry had no chill
dren, but his fame and his example
belong to all generations of Americans
and reflect credit on the country and
the faith in which he was born.
Mr.. Griffin has still limited num-
her of his excellent work on hand at
$3.50 copy. 1t ought to no in every
respectable library. 1t is an exceed
ingly interesting book for American
boys-full of the history of those
times.