The Irish standard., 1907-09-21
The True Story of That Memorable Battle,
and the Important Part Played by
the Irish Brigade.
The Monument Commentaries the Bravery
of Men Who Fought for Neither
Country or Money.

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veiled on August rs under the happiest
OF circumstances, in the presence Of
the Lord Mayor Of Dublin. several
hundred Irish visitors, and the Mayor
and Council of Tournai and Fontenoy,
says the Irish World. Soon after their
arrival the. Irish visitors received an
enthusiastic welcome from the inhabi-
tants at a concert given by the Munici-
pal Guard. At the Mass, which was
attended by the visitors and large
congregation Of the people Of the dis
trict. a sermon in Irish was preached
by the Rev. Francis Mc1nerney. Irish
airs were played on the organ, as a
compliment to the. visitors. In the
forenoon, the visitors proceeded to
Fontenoy. They were received near
the village by immense crowds from
Fontenoy and other districts, accom-
panied by bands and banners. An ad-
dress was presented to the Lord Mayor
by the Burgomaster Of Fontenoy. amid
q scene Of the greatest enthusiasm:
The Mayor replied in French, recall
ing the infamy of England's violation
Of the Treaty Of Limerick and the
part played by the; Irish Brigade in
the Battle Of. Fontenoy. A procession
then started for Fontenoy, which was
en- fete for the great event. The Bel
gian, Irish and French flags were con-
spicuously displayed in the decora-
tions. There were also a number Of
appropriate notices, including God
Save Ireland" in French and English.
"A remarkable scene was witnessed
when the Lord Mayor of Dublin, hav.
ing spoken few words in Irish, un-
yelled the memorial. Cheers were
raised again and again. The Com
nune band played "St. Patrick's Day."
and the school children sang the Fon-
tenoy commemoration song to the mu-
sic Of "God Save Ireland" Dr. Marcus
o. Roighin then delivered the Irish
Grafton. The Dean Of st. Antoine de-
livered stirring address in French,
presenting Ireland's struggle for Faith
and fatherland as an example to be
followed by other nations. Canon Nc
Cartan blessed the Memorial, and after
further manifestations of enthusiasm
at the successful conclusion Of the
event, the assemblage dispersed.
The Mayor Of Dublin proposed the
Freedom Of Ireland. In the course Of
his address he said: The. ceremony
we have engaged in. is a strange and
unique one. We have unveiled a mon
ument to brave men who fell in a
battle with the main issues of which
neither your ancestors, the men of Bel
GUM. nor our ancestors, the men Of
Ireland, were concerned. The battle
was between foreign armies fighting
for the soil of Belgium: France and
England. Holland and Austria, were
all concerned. But among the leaders
Of the armies there was no thought
for Belgium or for Ireland as nations
with the rights Of nations. Yet you
Belgians and we 1rishmen are gath
cred to do honor to a heroic band Of
men who, in the crisis of that day.
over a century and a half ago. gave
their lives in defense Of foreign flag
gave victory to the lilies of France
on the soil of Belgium.
Why, after all these years. do we
gather to revive the fame of the Irish
Brigade over whose graves for hum
dred and sixty years the harvests have
ripened on the plain of Fontenoy?
They were brave men, 1t is true; out
of every four of their leaders. one out
of every three of the rank and file
found their graves upon the slopes up
yonder. But these plains Of the Low
Countries cover the nameless dust Of
myriads Of men as brave who fell in
the fierce wars Of which your soil has
been the scene, which again and again