The Irish standard., 1904-03-26

old prejudices against tire race But
us long as the declaration of American
independence exists with these nine
Irish names, headed by the genial and
courteous Carroll. of Carrollton. so long
shall there be monument to Irish
genius and bravery, which moth or
rust shall never dim. as argument to
confounu the scotfer for all time and
speak to him trumpet tongued lreland's
sons played no craven part in the early
days of the republic.
The deeds of bravery of Ireland S
sons in the revolutionary war not only
helped to achieve American independ-
ence, but had an influence also in the
old land, their own or their fathers
loved motherand. For in 1871 there
across the majestic spirit of Grattan
who brought back to Ireland her long.
lost parliament. The lash that Eng
land received on American soil pierced
her to the quick. She began to perceive
that people whom she had thus exiled
We're capable of doing her substantial
injury. She began to divest herself of
her despotic character and assume a
conciliatory character. Grattan seized
the opportunity and 10, by reason
of American independence, Ireland be-
gan to share some portion of her lib.
erty also. Her national harp was re-
strung. the music that once resOunded
through the halls of legislature re-
sounded once again and the eloquence
of her statesmen relieved. Grattan's
surprising eloquence accomplished
much. Her we'll disciplined volunteers
were of unspeakable service, but be-
hind all was the bravery of Irish regi-
ments in Washington's army that sent
Il thrill of fear through England's heart
and coerced her to do justice to her
Irish subjects. Grattan's parliament
had only existed eighteen years when
the intrigues and treachery of Pitt and
CastIerea"h wrenched it from. them,
and that parliament which had accom-
pIiShed so much for them could do so
10 more. From the year 1900 they
commenced to look towards America
as !; hOspitable refuge. The principles
embodied i'll the American constitution
allured those whose lot was an eX-
tlemely hard one ut home, but not until
1871, when famine stalked through
their own lovely land, did they COM
nlelce to emigrate in large numbers.
From 1871 to 1866 it is computed that
almost 3.OOo.oOO of Irish people had
rmiyrated to the United States. not
counting those who had emigluted be-
fore and after that period. They land
rd on American shores ut Il period
when Il deadly attack was made on
their religion and country under the
mask of American patriotism by men
who. HrownSon says. stood in the
strange pre,lic,lnent of unfolding the
American constitution whilst they were
ut the same time upsetting and settin"
at mu%ht its most sacred principles of
equality. The country was menaced,
the pope was about to take hold of the
american republic. and such thousands
Of silly utteranceS We're delivered from
every quarter, mainly directed against
the Irish eNileS. who never imagined
that !; land for which their colntrymen
shed their blood in the revolutionary
days should indulge in such raillery
against them. ''llOw can those who
acknowledge the supremacy of the
pope prove good citizens! In dangers
hour they can never be relied upon"
This silly cant was the favorite gospel
from which the now-nothing leaders
preached Il crusade mainly against the
Irish and their creed. But the moment
was coming fast when those Infamous
lies were to be nailed to the mast, when
lrishmen were to hurl back against
those would-be American patriots their
fAlsehOOdS in grim defiance. The topic
Of the hour was changed from popery
to slavery, and from slavery to war;
The pent-up passions Of the Southern
ers against the North blazed forth
when the Southern artillery fired upon
Fort Sunpter in April, 1861. The land
was moved from center to the sea, the
armed battalions were called forth.
Where were the naligned Irish to be
found: Did they show themselves
wanting in devotion to their adopted
country? Never! They chung for the
most part to the cause of the North
The words of the great leader O'Con-
nell as he vehemcntly denounced the
practice of slavery i'll his repeal
meetings. came home to them and they
rushed to the standards of the North.
Among the Federal army. it is comput-
ed that there were about 100000 Irish
soldiers. and on the bloody fields of
Nirginia. in the cotton fields of Georg-
i'll and among the Carolina swamps
lay the bones of thousands of Irish,
men, who fought for the Stars and
Stripes. In that terrible civil war,
that mspeakable conflict Irishmen
showed once again their capacity for
war. The halo that once surrounded
them in the European wars of King
Louis and Prince Eugene lowered DER
them once again. Out of thousands Of