Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1911-03-29
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Lesson Which One Brave Man
Taught a City.
How Gen. J. 3. Carr, Though Of Irish
Descent and Catholic, Protected
an Orangeman's Parade
in Troy.
BY E. j. EDWARDS.

It is rarely safe to infer that 3
eat victory by one OF the political
5arties means the permanent discom-
future of the opposing party. And one
of the best illustration proving the
soundness Of this view is that con-
tanned in the history of Gen. Joseph B.
Carr
General Carr was of American birth,
although of Irish parentage. He was
born in Albany, N. Y, and when 3S
years of age became lieutenant colo
mel in a New York re iment which
saw service under Mcclellan. His
bravery was so marked at Malvern
Hill that he was promoted to brigadier
general. He saw service at Gettys-
burg, and he had charge of the de-
lenses along the James river in Gen
eral Grants final campaign. Just aft.
er the close Of the war General Carr
was breveted major general for gal
liant and meritorious service. He was
regarded as one Of the ablest of all
the generals of Irish descent who
served in the Civil war, and he gain
ed great personal popularity, not only
among Irish-Americans, but with men
Of all parties.
After the war General Carr became
a manufacturer at Troy, N. Y. He
was elected secretary Of state upon,
the Republican ticket in 1879, and was
a candidate for reelection in 1883, the
year after Grover Cleveland had car.
ried New York for governor by the
unprecedented plurality Of $4,000.
Many Republicans were faint-hearted
in the Carr campaign; they felt that
it would be impossible for their party
to gain a triumph at the polls after
defeat so benumbing as was that
which the Democracy had admins
tered to it the year before. Yet after
the votes had been counted it was dis
covered that General Carr had been
elected secretary of state by about
$4,000 plurality
General Carr, however, gained a
greater triumph than any which his
political carer brought him, for it
was moral triumph, and one now
recognized as having been of meal
culable benefit.
After the Civil war passion and ex~
citement for some years prevailed gem
orally throughout the country. This
feeling was especially manifested
among Irish-Americans, who were in
antagonism by reason of the fact that
some were Crangemen while others
were Hibernians, or Of the opposing
Irish association. The intensity of
this feelings led to tragic riots in New
York city on July Il, 1872.
In Troy, also, in the same year, this
feeling of intense animosity had full
sway The Orangemen purposed parad-
ing through the streets of the city. The
Hibernians and other opposing associa-
lions asserted that the Orangemen
would not be permitted to parade.
General Carr, who at that time was in
command Of the state militia& was
sought out for counsel by the Hiber-
mans as to the best manner in which
to check the plans Of the Orangemen~
Gentlemen" said General Carr,
when he had listened to his callers. AZ
am Of Irish descent, and | am a mem
Der Of the Church of Rome. But I
also am an American. / fought for
fighting. | know that freedom does
not mean license. You men think
that freedom means license. In a
free country every organization has a
right peaceably to assemble, peaceably
to parade. Freedom would be a sham
If this were not the case
well, what do you propose to do in
case there is trouble?" General Carr
was asked.
you will see," was the reply. AID
that was the only answer Gen Carr
would make
On the 18th Of July the Orange
men of Troy assembled and began
their parade-and at the head Of the
column rode General Joseph b. Carr,
and behind him rumbled a battery OF
state artillery! With that battery he
was prepared to sweep the streets in
the event Of riot. There was no riot.
The Orangemen paraded peacefully
and then dispersed. And in the les
son that Gen. Carr then taught the cit.
liens Of Troy is to be found the seed
of that new understanding of the
meaning of freedom which has forever
terminated the spirit of vindictiveness
that formerly characterized the rela-
lions of rival Irish-American organ
izations.
Copyright, 1910, by E. j. Edwards. ALI
Rights Reserved)