The Irish standard., 1905-01-28
yonfederated States became in reality

the United States, and the dangers
gathering around it made it essential
to reorganize the navy and place it
upon basis of permanency and dis,
ciplined efficiency, he was chosen as
the man to do the work and was made
the first commodore: and this honored
position he held until the physical dis
ability brought on by wounds and eX-
posure ended his memorable career on
September IS, 1908.
a, The aut.h,vvIii,t,; quoted above says;
His private life was rs estimable, as
his public career was brilliant. In his
domestic relations he was ingenious,
frank and afrectionate. In his inter-
course with mankind his department.
procured an extensive circle of friends.
Deeply impressed with religion, he eN-
acted an observance of its ceremonies
and duties on board of his ship, as Wen
as in the retirement of private life.
His lofty feelings of honor secured the
confidence of the most illuStrious men
of the nation. and gave him an eX-
tensive influence in the various spheres
in which his ative life required him to
move. The regard and admiration Of
General Washington, which he pos
sessed to an eminent extent, were
among the enviable fruits of his patri-
otic career. His public services were
not limited to any customary rule Of
professional duty, but without regard
to expense, danger or labor, his devo-
tion to his country kept him constantly
engaged in disintereSted acts of public
utility"
This in brief way gives us a
glimpse of the character and service
of the man whose patriotism and de-
votion to the cause of human freedom
were as disintprestcd and firm rs they
We're pure and whole-hearted. He sac
riiiced the certainty of comfort and
affluence to assume duties and reSpon-
Sbilites that We're as arduous and
dangerous as they were pecuniarly un-
profitable. When he threw up the as
sured competence of commercial life to
cast in his fortunes with Il weak. dis
united and rebclliouS cause the kings
side still had in its following nearly
all the rich and influential forces Of
the colonies: and his action argued Il
courage. confidence and faith in free
i,.I, 1,nI-
been based upon an inspired love OF
freedom. There can be no doubt that
John Barry Il Catholic and y son OF q
Wicklow farmer, must llave learned
from the lips of his father that hatred
and contempt for British oppression
which burned fcrccly in the hearts
of Il brave people subjected for
centuries to an iulolerahc tyranny:
and the hard and careful training in
his chosen profession acquired Oh
many seas nlii" him II weapon ready
hour to strike cHmr When the R"vo-
luton broke out the colonies were full
of angry and outraged lrisllmcn,
Catholic and Protestant tiriN"u out Of
thel. homes by unjust laws and more
unjust men. antl this element
throughout the Colonies was largely
influential in pushing events to Il
point where Il conclusion could only be
reached with the sword.
John Barry WAS the father Of the
American navy and his acts his in
tluence, his counscls were Invaluable
in moulding the men and policies who
i'm later years shed so much luStcr Oh
naval annals and made the foes of the
Republic respect her even in her weak
ness and poverty.
Today the navy is the pride of the
Republic; its armnmcnts. its pcr-
sonnet its chievements. have made
the United States Il force to be
recokencd with all around the earth;
and the splendid fleets which today
fly the flag Of our country are the
fruits of the seed planted over a
century ago by John Barry. Perry Nc
DOnough. Decatur, felt the stimulating
influence, the uuckcnng magic Of his
name and face; Porter, who carried
the flag in honor in many seas, was
product of Barry's wisdom and fore
sight and he handed down the noble
tradition of the first Commodore to
Farragut who served him us mid
shipman and to his own son, both of
whom grow famous later: and Dewey
and Schley and host of others took
up the thread of tradition from them.
And yet, this great. this wealthy Re-
public, which squanders millions an
nually in hundred foolish ways, is SO
poor in spirit, so forgetful of the
noblest chapters Of her life that she
cannot erect Il monument to the man
who sacrificed all for her. If this mix
ture Of shabby penury and ignoble in
gratitude be patriotism, God help the
Republic.
A serious effort should be made to
open the eyes of the Speaker Of the
House, Mr.. Cannon, to the lack Of gem
nine patriotism involved in the opposi-
tion to this altogether admirable pro-
iect. There are phases of administra-
two aoonomy which, Onnnop tO no Ivorca