The Irish standard., 1903-02-07
COL JAMES,A. MULLIGAN.
Sketch Of the Brave Soldier by William
j. Onahau.

onel OF, as we then knew him, james
| "A. Mulligan, was formed in the op-
portunities and associations of liter
airy and debating clubs, into which my
tastes and social inclinations early led
me. In these societies and organiza-
tons Mulllgan was naturally recog-
nized leader. He had pursued his
studies ut the university of St. Mary's
OF the Lake, and was the first, as he
was once one Of the most distinguished,
OF the graduates of that institution of
learning. While there, lie gave prom
| Use of the literary and oratoric abil-
ity which subsequently won speedy
recognition from press and public De-
| voting himself to the profession of
| law, he entered the office of Grant
Goodrich, and later that of Isaac N.
Arnold, i'll order to qualify himself for
the bar. l think he had just opened
an office when l first met him, writes
Count VIM. ]. Onahan in the Mil
! waukee Citizen.
He impressed his striking personal
ity and original gifts on those who
came to know him, whether in public
or i'll private life; and no wonder! He
WAS indeed an example and an in
SEPARATION to us younger men. How
pure-minded he was-how clean OF
speech as of conduct! How chivalrous
his manner and address towards all.
and especially to women-to the girls
of those days! How we envied and
tried to initiate his grace of demean-
Or his witty badinage. his courtly
bearing! He was an influence in his
circle, as in the clubs and societies
of those days with which he was con-
nected-and that influence was al
ways for the good, the true and the
beautiful
Muligan could not escape the tempt
alton and fascination Of politics. His
first vote was cast i'll 1852 for pierce
and King" Democratic electors. AS
to the candidates for local Offices he
exercised the freeman's right of
scratching" l saw a copy Of that
first ballot, so l know whereof l
speak. l applaud Mulligan's Demo-
cracy and at the same time applaud
his independence. 1t would be better
for the country and better for our
parties and politics, were like indie
pendence in voting more frequently
and more generally shown. At that
period Senator Douglas was the leader
and idol of the western Democracy.
Mulligan became naturally enough
the Little Giants" friend and ardent
unprecedented, he stumped the
state for his favorite political leader
in the celebrated campaign that
brought Lincoln to the front. Doug
las won the prize for which he con-
tended-the senatorship-and that
campaign also resulted for the "rail
splitter" So curiously and strangely
are fortunes gifts distributed. was
in the crowd at one of the famous de-
bates between Douglas and Lincoln.
OF course, as loyal Democrat my ell
thusiasm was wholly given to the
little Giant" who was then at the
climax of his power and popularity.
One special and striking character
istic of NIulligan, 1 must not omit to
lay stress OH. From his earliest years
he was total abstainer. He took the
Father Mathew temperance pledge.
April 8, 1871, when he was only eleven
years Of age, and he kept that pledge
unbroken through life. Later, shall
have occasion to give pathetic and
heart touching example of his heroic
fidelity to this pledge and to the prin-
ciples of total abstinence.
Although not born in the island of
saints and scholars, he inherited love
for it, which was nourished in his
earliest and increased strength and
intensity with his years. He knew
"by heart" the history of the famous
"Irish brigades"-the voluntary exiles
Of Erin, whose prowess and valor
We're conspicuous on almost every
European battlefield during the seven
teenth and eighteenth centuries. 1t
was from this inspiration came the
idea of the "Irish brigades'' in our
own Civil War. The idea appealed
powerfully to Irish sympathies and
Irish enthusiasm.
Amongst the local militia Of the
period were several Irish companies.
which l may fairly claim, were con-
spicuous for their fine soldierly ap-
pearance: "The Emmett Guards"
THE Montgomery Guards" and the
Shields Guards"
Mulligan Joined the Shields
Guards" was one of the most active
members and finally was elected cap
tain Of the company. This was his
which he was afterwards to gain so
great renown, and such scant re-
ward!
And now the portentous drama of
the gigantic Civil War looms up before
us-then arousing the country. north
and south. into passionate fury of
sectional and patriotic fervor. We
look back now at the great tragedy
with wonder and awe: to most people
in this buSy and strenuous life Of