The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-19

Revolution. Most Of the members were
what now would DO denominated Scotch.
Ihshmen, yet they organized an Insh
society, not a Scotch one; they met on 81.
Patriok's Day, not on 81. Andrews DAY;
and although the association was compoeed
originally Of Presbyterans and Episcopal.
ians, and comprised only three Catholic.
30 far we're the thoughts Of the ,membus
from any idea Of ilhbsrahty that (hey
chose one Of these three Catholics, Gen.
Stephen Moylan, who certainly was not
| Scotcb-Insh, TO be- their first president.
Az the 81. Andrews Society Of ~Philadalphta
was organized twenty-five years before
the Friendly Sons Of 81. Patrick, we can
imagine the latter smiling II in their dag
some overzealous orator had claimed
them as more Scotch than Irish. We may
here mention that the Society Of the Friendly
Sons Of 81. Patrick Of Philadelphia was
organized in March. iii. It sprang from
an association Of merchants Of Irish birth
or ~parentage, who had been accustomed
TO meet weekly for social enjoyment IA
early as 17e5. and who called themselves
the Irish Club" II was at one Of these
weekly meetings, at the beginning Of III,
that II was proposed TO gyo perpetuity to
the club by forming Of liz members a soci.
ETY. TO be called the Friendly Sons Of st.
Patrick.
From this humble beginning arose an
organization that was destined to WELD
much power in the land and embrace within
it's membership many Of the leading men
Of the city and country. To show the wide
influence II exercised, Mr.. Hsltigan records
the fact that from its roll Of membership
and that Of it's successor, the Hibernian
Society, il supplied 800 officials and public
men Of the very highest order to the city.
State and nation. That this is no eXagger-
ated statement may be proved by a summary
Of the services rendered. Among the MEM
bers we're 3 Presidents OF the United States,
8 Cabinet officers, 0 diplomatic representa-
tives, 90 army officers Of high rank, 81 naval
officers, 80 members Of Congress, IS Judges,
1ll city, State and national officers; besides
SO editors. authors, publishers Of news
papers and magazines, Among other Irish
men and Irish-Americans who distinguished
themselves In Pennsylvania but who are
omitted from this list may be named the
Rev, Francis Allison, first vice-president
Of the University Of Pennsylvania, who
emigrated from Ireland in the year 1885.
In the same year Hugh Williamson. the well
known physician, patriot and historian, was
born in Pennsylvania of Irish parents.
Another fact brought out in the book be-
fore us Ia that Spencer in his History OF
the United States" records that sin the
years I'LL and i772 the number Of emigrants
to America from Ireland was 1880" Almost
all OF these emigrated at their W charge.
a great many Of them consisting Of persons
employed in the linen trade, or farmers
possessed Of some property, which they
converted into money and carried with them.
Within the first fortnight Of August. l773.
there arrived in Philadelphia no fewer than
$500 emigrants from Ireland.
In view OF these figures it Ia not sur
prising that PloWden, the Irish historian.
should write: 1T is a fact beyond ques-
ton that most Of the early successes in
America were Immediately owing 10 the
vigorous eIertions and prowess Of the
Irish emigrants who bore arms In that
cause Neither Is It astonishing that Lord
Mountjoy should have risen In his place
in the House Of Lords and solemnly de-
clared that England had lost America
through Ireland. By way Of cumulative
testimony. our attention Ia directed to the
fact that Lecky In his History OF the
American Revolution speaking Of the
composition Of the Continental army. says:
Zone Of the most remarkable documents
relating to the state Of opinion In America
was the examination Of Galloway. formerly
Speaker Of the Pennsylvania House OF
Assembly, by a committee Of the House OF
Commons, on June 10, ITO. To Galloway
was put the following question: What
in the service Of Congress were the soldiers
composed ~oi-natives Of America, or wers
the greatest part Of them English, Scotch
or IrishY' Galloway answered: The names
and places OF their nativity having been
taken down. ! can answer the question with
precision. There we're scarcely one-fourth
natives Of America; about one-half we're
Irish; the rest were English and Scotch
We advise every one who desires TO learn
the truth concerning the part which Irish
men played in the American Revolution IN
read with an open mind Mr.. Haltigan's
book.