The Irish standard., 1904-03-26


pressed OH to death with the dauntless-
ness Of race which has gained glory
on thousand battlefields, and never
more richly deserved than on Deem
Der 18th, 1862, at the fort Of st. Mary's
heights. THAT was the prettiest thing
in the whole war;" said Longstreet to
John Francis Mcguire, the author of
'"rhe Irish in America referring to
the above heroic incident few years
after the war. Yes. wherever the Irish
played Il part in the civil war they rem
dered Il good account Of themselves.
such lustre did they add to American
military genius that we must consign
to the limbo of oblivion all the military
leaders whom the nation delights to
honor before we forget Sheridan's
dashing ride, Meagher's dauntless divi-
sion and CorcOran's legions heroic work
in behalf of the Union. Never should
their matchless deeds be left unsung
by Americans beside their hearth fires,
for it was from their ashes sprang the
liberty which else had paled into in
significance or died by reason of the
rupture of the Union.
1t was not alone by their fighting
qualities that the Irish have rendered
themselves worthy of the regards of
the republic, but also in a political and
religious way. In behalf of their re-
ligion, what noble examples have they
not exhibited to us for all time. Look
at the magnificent churches which
have sprung into existence mainly
through their generosity The Roman
Catholic cathedrals of Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the
other principal cities of the Union
have been erected by the hard-earned
pennies of Irish exiles. Old World
churches may boast Of being erected
through the patronage and munificence
of kings and potentates, but the great
Catholic churches which began to be
erected here forty or fifty years ago
We're endowed by the real princes of
America, the real titled ones of the
eartL-the working classes, more par
ticularly the Irish working classes. 1
say the Irish working classes, not to
the diSparagement of other nationali-
ties who took part in the marvellous
growth of the Catholic Church in the
United States. 1t is matter beyond
dispute, unassailable ON historic
grounds, that the Irish deserve well Of
the American Catholic population, for
it was Irish bishops who laid the
foundation of the Church broad and
deep. Instance the Fenwicks, the Car
rolls. the Englands and the Hughes,
men who for saintliness of their lives
and their learned skill are an everlast-
in" honor to the name of Ireland and
bright ornaments in the roll of dis
tinguished citizens which the United
States has the honor to harbor. Yes
lrelands bishops and priests and Ire
lands laity were the pioneers in
Church progress in this country. They
had to bear the brunt of the battle in
days when their co-religionists were
few and when sect;lrian bigotry and ill.,
tolerance towards Catholics was far
more rife than it is in our time. All
honor then to those Irish eXiled Cath
olics who preserved their faith unsul-
lied, amidst most unpropitious circum-
stances and transmitted it as noble
heritage to their children of today.
AS citizens, the Irish, for the most
part, have always shown themselves
active in the cause Of justice, high
minded and conscientious. 1t is true
that they belong, for the most part, to
the Democratic party. There is no
sphere Of human activity in which they
do not hold honored and responsible
places. In the last forty years they
have achieved successes which at that
time they could never have dreamed
of. From occupying the lowest posi-
lions, they have assembled the social
ladder, and to-day man needs but to
open his eyes and see the sons of Ire
land foremost in every profession.
If you look for man eminent in
medical science, go and you shall find
Il DR.. Murphy, of Rush Medical COL
lege; in law and eloquence, Bourke
Cochran, who is an honor to any coun-
try or to any epoch. Yes, Ireland's
sons, when given fair opportunity for
the development of their natural geni-
us, as they unquestionably have had
in this fair and liberty-loving land, al
ways deserve honor and recognition.
Irlsll-Americans have reflected honor
on themselves, in America and in Ire
land. They are proud Of the land of
their birth. They are proud Of the
land Of their adoption. In the cultiva-
ton of the arts Of peace they are equal
" gifted as for their prowess and gal
lantry in the charge of battle. And
wherever an Irish heart beats to-day,
whether standing by the wheel far off
over lonely seas, or whether seated in
his log hut in the wilderness, paving
the way for civilization and civilized
men, whether he be in the lordly man.
sion or simple howell there is no song
so dear to his heart after est. Patrick's
Day. as the ''Star-Spangled Banner"