The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-07-24

OF its defenders served to discourage
William, who left the place be-
fore capitulation was even thought Of.
But the force of numbers 1T length
gave the enemy the advantage, espe,-
cially as reinforcements, promised by
France and eagerly expected, failed to
arrive in time.
The Irish annals record with great
est pride an incident which marked
the close of the great siege. Before
the city was actually delivered up, tie
arrival Of the long-promised expedi-
tion from France with men, money
end arms was announced, but Sar,-
field, who was in command, consid-
cred his honor and the honor of his
race involved in completing the sur
render. which he had given his word
to complete. Accordingly, even with
the French fleet lying in Irish waters
and bringing certainty of victory,
nevertheless, because the treaty had
been signed, .Sarsfield abided by it,.
surrendered the city, and marched
forth with many brave companions to
take ship for France.
All that he had done for his coun-
Try had been done in vain. The treaty
that he had secured by his gallant
Gcfence of Limerick, the treaty that
Lad been confirmed and even amplitied
by William himself, was broken and
set aside. Froude seems to think that
tile Irish ought to have been aware
that the English could not be ex.
rected to keep faith with them over
such a treaty.
To such sorry justification for such
a breach of faith there is nothing =,
say. The treason shows worse wnen
it is remembered that after the treaty
! was signed an army Of reinforcemant,s
arrived in the Shannon. Had these
ccme some days earlier, the siege of
Limerick must inevitably have been
ly feared that Sarsfield might seize the
opportunity to renew the war. But
Sarsfield- -honorably abided by, his
word. The treaty was violated; all
the forfeited lands were reconfiscated
and sold by auction as before, for the
benefit of the state, to English corpor-
ations and Dublin merchants.
| The Treaty of Limerick, violated
"ere yet the ink wherewith twas writ
could dry" is one of the pledges OF
Irish honor that must stand to Ire.
lands glory forever, just as its COW
ardly violation by the enemy brings
into higher relief the customary bad
faith of the nation which gained the
upper hand. Though Ireland was
closed thenceforth to Sarsfield and his
troops, they found broad field; in
ether lands to pursue with relentless
wrath the enemy whom they might
not drive from their native land
Still fighting for the unworthy James
H., who now resided in his exile in
the palace Of ST. German en- -laye
Sarsfeld distinguished himself in bat
ties OF European Importance.
(; On July 10. 1898, he engaged, at the
head of French troop. the forces CT
the British at NecrWirden, on the
hanks Of the river Landen, neal
I.iegc. in the Netherlands. William
was defeated. cit was here that Pat
rick Sarsf1eld, Earl Of Lucan, who had
that day. as we'll as at ySteinkirk
earned the admiration Of the Whole
French army, received his death shot
at the head of his men. 1t was q
Happy moment. Before he fell he
could see the standards of England
swept along by the tide of headlona
fight, or trailing in the muddy waters
of the Gette-he could see the scarlet
ranks that he had once hurled back
from the ramparts of Limerick, now
rent and rven, fast falling in theii
wild fight, while there was sent peal
ing after them the vengeful shout
Remember limerick
Ills death was that Of hero. A.
he lay upon the ground, dying, he put
his hand to his breast. When he tool
it away it was red with his blood
Looking at it sadly, with an eye il
which victory had shone but mo.
ment before, he said faintly-'Oh!
that this were for Ireland!'" HI
said no more, and history records III
robler saying, nor any bravcr death.
That" said Blinkers, as ne gazet
in astonjshment at his wife's new hat