The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-11-28

too, was a veteran Of the Mexican war.
regret that I cannot now recall his
name. which heard at that time. OF
course, there was a cordial repetition:
of the handshake between the two old
soldiers.
On his return from Mexico at the
close Of the war, Shields was brevetted
major general, and was nominated by
the president, governor of the terri
tory Of Oregon. This appointment
Shields declined. In 1s49 he was elect
ed United States senator from Illinois,
as associate to Senator Stephen A.
Douglas.
There was a question raised In .l.e
senate as TO the regularity of S!iel is
election. My impression isl have not
the data before me as 1 write-that che
irregularity was on the issue of citizen
ship: at all events. the Legislature cur
eu the defect by electing Shields over
again.
According to the record, it was Mr..
grant Of lands to aid in the construc.
tion of the Illinois Central railroad, the
credit Of which is usually given to Sem
ator Douglas, who was no doubt also
q warm champion Of the measure. 1t
was Shields who likewise introduc I'd
and pressed the passage Of bill grant
ing bounty lands to the soldiers and
sailors who had served In the war with
Mexico. When England was threat
sning with her naval forces the little
republic of San Salvador on soma pre-
text, Senator Shields promptly intr,.
duced q resolution on the subject. tn
voking the authority Of the Monroe
doctrine.
Bills to aid other railroad projects in
Illinois were favorably reported ky
him. At that time the West was CLAM
orins for railroads. which were ind!s-
pensable to its development In these
days the country seems to forget how
much Of its progress and prosperity
has been due to the much maligned
railroads. Space will not admit Of
even a summary Of the important pub
lie measures that Shields had part in
framing. The files Of the Congress-
sional Record bear testimony to his
unceasing industry during his sena-
torial career. 1t is worthy Of note that
Shields was consistently opposed to
the extension Of slavery and his rec
ord shows it, although in this regard he
was not always in harmony with his
party.
The state Of Illinois, by vote Of the
legislature, presented to General
Shields a costly sword in recognition
II his gallant services on the batt!e-
fields Of Mexico. The state Of South
Carolina in like manner voted him a
sword, "in testimony of her admira-
ton Of his gallantry in the Mexican
war, and as tribute of gratitude for
his parental attention to the Palmetto
regiment" This regiment was in
Shields brigade in several engage
ments.
AT the expiration of his term IN the
senate he failed to secure reelection,
Lyman Trumbull being chosen to sue
coed him. This result was due to dis
scns1ons In the party ranks in conse-
quence of the slavery issue. and to the
growing power of the incipient Repub-
lioan party.
Shortly after this Shields removed t.
Minnesota. gathering about his new
home the nucleus of an Irish colony
and prosperous settlement known as
"Shieldsville." In fact, this was the
beginning Of the colonization move
nent in that state to which Archbishop
ireland afterward lent his powerful aid.
It was during Shields sojourn in
Minnesota that the overture was made
to him to take the command Of the
.papal army. This was at the time
when the revolutionary movement in
italy threatened the invasion and lr-
tegrity Of the papal states during the
reign Of Plus TX. Shields declined to
accept. I had the details of the over
ture from the generals own lips at a
late period Of his life.
When Minnesota was admitted as q
state in 1858, Shields was chosen oIe
% the two senator's. his colleague being
Henry NJ Rice. Lots being drawn to
determine the respective terms, the
short one-two years-fell to Shields.
At the end. as in Illinois, and from like
cause, he failed Of reelection, ard
soon he was again on the wing-this
time for California.
The general opened law office in
San Francisco. and it was there he
married. Soon the tumult and agita-