The Irish standard., 1913-07-12

The anniversary of the Declaration,
of independence, which was celebrated
last week, revives the spirit of pat
riotism and accentuates the kindred
celebration brought to a close at Get
tysburg. Both events recall memories
which must stir the patriotic heart;
and, as President Wilson said in his
recent address at Gettysburg, spur the
true citizen to heroic acts in behalf
of his country.
The dawn of American freedom an
nounced by many brilliant heralds saw
the chivalry of the old world arranged
against the chivalry of the new; for
many a rival soldier of fortune came
hither from distant shores, and with
shining plume and lance rode produly
over our FIELD of the CLOTH OF
GOLD. And many steadfast star
cleaned at the zenith and along the
horizon before the night waned and the
shadows were lifted by the glorious
sunburst of Washington. 1t may be
we'll to glance occasionally at these
steadfast stars shining SO brilliantly
in the armament of American his
tory. Let more of reverence in us
dwell"-such is the wise counsel of the
past. And, if in these modern days, so
full of moral and, spiritual tragedy,
we need more reverence for God and
our fsIlowman, .if faith in our creed
and country needs to be revived and
quickened, a renewal of our faith must
surely come from renewal of our ac-
quaintance with the God-fearing band
of patriots who stood guard through
the long, lingering hours of darkness
stood watching and praying for the
dawn.
It is a matter of pride to the Cath
olics of this country, and especially
to those of Irish birth or extraction,
to observe in that brilliant galaxy of
patriots a worthy representative of
Faith and Fatherland. For, as the his
torian narrates, "among the illustrious
signers of the Declaration of 1nde-
pendence was Charles Carroll of Car
rollton." And the historian adds that
he (CarrolD was pious Roman Cath
olic." He was not, indeed. the only
man of Celtic blood who affixed his
name to that immortal document, for
no less than nine Irish Americans
signed the Declaration of Indepen-
dence: John Nixon, George Read,
James Smith, Edward Rutledge, George
Taylor, Thomas Mexican, Matthew
Thornton, Thomas Lynch, besides
CHARLES CARROLL of Carroll
TON.
And in this connection we may pause
for moment on the difficulty which
stands in the way of estimating the
multitudes who, like the Carroll fam
fly. migrated from Ireland to America
before the revolutionary war. We
have no positive means of ascertain
ing the number of these emigrants,
although such records as we have of
the continental, army indicate that the
number was very much larger than
Is commonly supposed. The question
arises. what became Of the Irish who
we're dispossessed Of their lands from
1891 till the outbreak of the Revo-
luton? What became of the thou
sands of Irish workmen, mechanics
and laborers who were thrown out of
employment on the suppression of Irish
manufactures? It is true that many
went to the continent and joined the
armies of France and Spain, and helped
to make the WILD GEESE the theme
of many a story of love and chivalry,
but the great majority Of the people
could not escape. There was only one
avenue open-AMER1CA-an to
America, as the historian Of the time
puts it, "went shiploads of Irish emf
Z erants;" they settled in New York,
Virginia North Carolina. Pennsylvania
and throughout the New England
states. Owing to the strong religious
prejudice, imbibed from England and
existing in the colonies. the Irish emf
grants in many cases were actually
forced to change their names in order
to gain a foothold. So that, as DR..
McNevin writes, there are "many
thousands today in the United States,
rho have gained honor and distinc-