South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-30
Gov. Ralston Pays Tribute
To Father Corby and the
Irish Brigade in Memorial
Address at Notre Dame

(FOllOwing is the full text of the ad-
dress by Gov. RalstOn at the univer-
sity Saturday morning:)
l esteem it a very great honor TO
greet you on this occasion. There is
an uplift in this event. II is seldom
that one is afforded the opportunity
/ am to address a meeting held in
honor of American soldiers, living
and dead, under the auspices of a
great American educational institu-
ton.
1 like Notre Dame for several rea-
sons. l like her for the work she
is doing i'm equipping young men to
perform the duties Of sturdy citizen
ship. 1 like her for her patriotism
and unbending Americanism. She
has ever been active in cultivating in
her student body a love of country
and that country the republic OF the
United States.
Has Warrant OF History.
l am not speaking at random. l
have the warrant of history for what
l am saying. When the good Father
SOrin was at the head of this insti-
tuition he maintained that religion and
education should go together, since
they are both essential TO proper
appreciation OF the blessings enjoyed
by citizens of this government
Recognizing keenly these blessings
himself, he could not endure indif-
ference thereto by those with whom
were bound to him by the ties of
blood
This was made to appear very en-
phaticaly in the case of one of his
nephews. Two of them were con-
nected with him in the work Of
Notre Dame. Before discovering that
one was cultivating a love for things
French rather than for things Amer
lean. he addressed him tenderly vet
firmly thus:
My dear son. France is for the
French. America is for Americans. |
nave engaged your passage to Eu-
rope"
cannot pause to discuss the in
dividual services Of these good men,
but it should be noted that while in
the service OF their country, two of
them contracted diseases from which
they died; and that another OF them
Father Corby, was the moving spirit
in an event preserved in art and ex-
tOled in history Whether in the
peaceful pursuits of life or under the
hazards of war. he always had a lu-
minous conception of his duty and
moved forward grandly TO the con-
summation of the work before him
Upon going To the front in 1852
the famous Irish brigade of New
York. For three years he served
them in this capacity in the principal
| battles by the Army Of the Potomac
under Mcclellan. Burn side. Hooker.
Meade and Grant 1t was at Gettys-
burg where he figured so conspicu-
ously in the event of such great his
torical significance. The event oc-
| CURED on the second day OF the awful
4 fought fhara-fha
| ord breaking battle.
General Lee undertook on the sec
/ ond day Of this contest TO take and
occupy Round Top" When shot and
shell were flying the thickest and the
! thunders OF the cannon were shaking
/ the earth. General Hancock was or
\ dered TO make a move TO check the
advance Of the enemy toward the
point of their ambition. The situa-
( ton became at once critical and de-
/ pressing. Every man felt that ire
/ mendouS consequences would follow
/ Hancock'S movement. Father COrby's
/ brigade was part OF the division
/ that was to be thrown into the awful
/ struggle and naturally he felt deeply
7 the religious obligation resting upon
/ him.
/ But he was not be overcome He
I hastily begun a ceremony authorized
/ by his faith. but which was never be-
\ fore given in this country. so far as
\ history records. He announced TO
I the men just before they moved into
I battle his intention to give absolution.
: stating that all could receive IL by
Z sincerely becoming cOntrite and by
I confessing their sins when the oppor-
I tunity was offered
Gives AbSOlutiOn.
In this connection he reminded
I them that his church refuses Chris
I tian burial TO the soldier who turns
! his back upon the Zoe or deserts his
/ flag. When every man was on his
I knees with his head bowed. the good
I father, with his head bowed. repeated
I the words of general absolution while
sitting on his horse with his head un-
/ covered and BOWED. surrounded by
army officers. Hancock the superb.
/ heard the words OF Father Corby as
I he spoke from a great rock nearby.
/ The picture was one sublime. Mans
richest vocabulary becomes but pow
| erty wncn ne attempts 10 describe II.