The Irish standard., 1903-06-06
for this nights work if there's law in

for this nights work if there's law in
this Slater The forward movement
was checked. There was an indecis-
i've murmuring, whispering and shut
fling of feet. The Defenders did not
reckon on having the Judge present at
their little interview with old SOL
diers. Victory for one side or another
hung i'll the balance The psycholog-
zeal moment had arrived and the
Judge knew it. He began to speak
again.
Men Of Smalltield," said he, what
devilish craft has blinded your better
sight, that l find you here tonight in
tent upon an act of violence, outrage
and injustice! How have your better
natures been warped and distorted
that you see in these old soldiers of
the Republic only your enemies? How
have your minds been abused that the
flag of Il brave and chiva(rous people
"A flag which led them into the fierc-
est battles for this country-a flag
bathed in the best blood of Americas
adopted SONS, is to you only Il reprGlch
and an eyesore? Do you know any
thing about your country's past? Do
you care anything about your coun-
try's present or future? All, know
you do not-else the record of such
men as these veterans, even since the
nation received its baptism of blood at
Lexington, would shame you out of
your bigotry and intolerance!
mo man loves our country's flag
and all it stands for better than l.
Yet l sec no otfense in the flag of Ire
land. Why should L? Why should
! you? When has Ireland been I'M
friendly to America? When oppressed
it's people? When have Irishmen
been traitors to America? Oh, my
fellow-townsmen, shame upon you for
your narrow views! Go, search the
pages of the past and if you find that
lrishmen have not done their duty,
|
country-then let my reputation as a
lover of truth be MANNED forever!'
There was profound silence. Except
for the breathing of the men, the
Judge might we'll have thought that
his audience had vanished. Again he
spoke: Men of Smallfield, this little
| II i,rht tn hn m of
my two brothers who fell at Mary's
Heights. But these men whom you
were about to set upon tonight are
none the less worthy of honor and
remembrance. Captain Casey here has
only one arm. Why has he not all
his members like you and me? Let
me tell you. Because he lost the
other trying to save my brother
Charles who fell mortality wounded in
an attempt to keep the regimental
flag from falling into the hands of the
enemy What flag was it that Charles
Hoar, puritan of the Puritans, Ameri-
can of the Americans, died while
trying to save? Was it the Stars and
Stripes? All, no. Already had eager
and patriotic hands borne the ma
TONS flag out of danger. What flag
was it then? Men Of Smallfield, it
was the old green flag of the Irish reg
iment-mOre, it was even this identi-
cal, faded green flag, which some one
among you has referred to as a dirty
Irish rag! Oh. shame on the tongue
which uttered that word!'
The shutting of feet was heard as
Of men moving away in the darkness.
If the Judge heard it he needed it
not In a voice filled with emotion he
continued
"Fell0w-tOwllslmen. fellow country
men. who are the better .America1ls-
these old men who faced death in
many forms, and gave their young
manhood, their health. their strength,
that future generations might enjoy
Il free and united America, or the men
at the head of your dark-lantern Or
ganiZatiOn who are trying to set
creed against creed. race against race,
and brother against brother?''
The Judge paused. but no reply
came to his question. The Flag De-
tenders, frustrated. chagrined and in
many cases. shamed, had stolen away
quietly under cover of the night. I'm
biased history saith that their decline
and fall dated even from that hour.
Seeing that all danger was past, the
Judge babe the veterans good night"
and rode home. followed by many a
blessing. The fife and drum corps
struck up "John Browns Body" and
the little column marched steadily on
to Millvale. still bearing, side by side
with the Stars and Stripes, the be-
loved green flag of the old regiment.
Catholic Columbian.
OVER THE NORTHWFST