The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-19
Atty. Hugh Lavery

Atty. Hugh Lavery.
 Attorney Lavery said:
 'In recording the greatness of any race, you consider the capabilities of the various men produced by it. You consider their accomplishments in learning, statesman nship, literature, and in defense of their rights. The history of the Irish people is unique in com parison with that of other races. Be- cause of unjust laws, prosecutions and the denial of every right which man kind holds dear and sacred, they have been compelled to seek other clines to work out their salvation. Search the historical records of the great coun- tries of Europe and America and see what this hardy and mighty race of ours has accomplished.
 ''It seems to be a peculiarity human nature to attribute more credit to the soldier for his attainments in defense of right and liberty, than to any oth- CT craft no matter what results are achieved. It is, therefore, with this tendency and trend that we carefully peruse the pages of history and re- cord the deeds of daring of our fight ing race. Carefully search the records Of the last century and see what the Irishman has done for the countries of the earth. With steady eye scan the pages of Austrian history and see the honor and reverence bestowed up- on the name Of Nugent, an 1rishman, who was commander in chief of the Austrian Army; search the records of ments of OsDonnell who commanded her armies and subjugated Spain's most bitter enemy, the Moors; scan the history of France and see what reverence is bestowed upon OBrien and his Irish Brigade for their work at Monterrey and on Marshall McMa- Ton for his wonderful work in direct ing the destinies of France; again scan the pages of Chilean history and see what O Higgins did for that suf- fering country and later see what Lynch did in defense of this new coun- try by his able and masterfu1 dtrec-. ten or it's army and Navy; and last, erican history and observe for your self what this race has done for the land they adopted in order that it's sacred institutions might be maintain ed anu it's liberty assured:
 "AS you will o's toast calls did in the Civil War and I will in few words explain their deeds in this memorable conflict On account of the length of the program, I will not consider this question from the Con- federate point of view, although many Irishmen such as Gen. Jos. E. John son fought on that side. What bat tlefield from Bull Run to Appomattox did not run red with Irish blood? What engagement did not record Irish valor and self sacrifice? According to the Army and Navy Journal there were IA, 200 men of Irish Birth enlist cd iii the Union Army and this num- 1,r Io @f TriC1 rentage born in this country, they being listed as Americans, and there is no doubt but that they at least equalled those of Irish birth so you will observe that about 300, 900 men of Irish blood took part in that memOr- able conflict. What school child does not bow with reverence when the names of Sheridan, Meade, Mcclellan, Logan, Fitzpatrick, Kearney, Meagher, Corcoran, Shields, and scores of oth- CTS I might mention, who are set forth in history or song.
 We, all know the record of the gall lant 69th Regiment, of New York, Mea gher's zouaves, and it's gallant leaders, Meagher and Corcoran. This gallant body of Irishmen were muster ed into service at the first call. for volunteers by Thomas Meagher, an at- torney of New York Thomas Meagh- CT was born in Wexford, Ireland and
  tive land and in America he became one of the foremost lawyers. At the outbreak Of war he took up the sword in defense of the country of his adoption and right well did he perform his work. It was his regiment under Colonel Corcoran who saved the Un- lon Army from annihilation at Bull charges. This regiment was fore most in establishing discipline in Nc Clellan's Army when that Irishman was performing the difficult task of molding green men into an efficient fighting body. Their work at Mall where, I beseech you, in the annals of civilization can greater deeds of bravery and Self-sacrifice be found than in the work of this regiment at Burnside desiring to attack this position in the rear had River and intended to send the rest across when the pom toonS arrived. They never arrived and the -skillful eye of the Confed crate leader observed the situation in a glance and nothing but annihilation faced the divided army of Burnside.
 ''At this critical moment one man observed what must be done. That man was General Meagher, and with his trained eye he saw how hopeless was the chances of his men unless they could break the Confederate pha- lanx. He ordered a charge and at the sound of his voice 1,200 Irishmen never stopping to ask why, charged into the opposing ranks over a steep hill only to be driven back, up they go a second time, every change their numbers growing smaller, and finally on the seventh attempt they break the Confederate front compelling them to reorganiZe and thus giving Burn- side the opportunity to save his ar my. The next day at roll call, two hundred Irshmen answered present out of the 1,200 that answered the day before. Does this not outrank the Charge of the Light Brigade and show what Irish valor represents?
 "I will not elaborate on the work of Sheridan at Perryville, where his brav cry saved the Union Army. at Stone River, at Chattanooga, at the walls of Richmond, and in that wonderful in the Shenandoah Valley l and his great work at Cedar Creek which is attested to in the last verse of Reade's Poem, ''Sheridan's Ride.'' hurrah for Sheridan, hurrah l