The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-16
BARRY STATUE UNVEILE ED BY
 DESCEND
8ig Gathering of Irish-Ameri- cans Honor Father of
 U. s. Navy.

washington May 1e-Thousands Of
 patriotic Irish-Americans from all aeo- ftions of the country gathered "a Franklin park here today to Witneal
 bropze statue of Commodore John Barry, the nations tribute to the he-
 rofc Irish patriot of the American Rev iolution by many called t'The Father Of the American Navy "
 To Miss Elise H Hepburn of Pnila-
 deIphia, great t-srand1lieee of
 c'ommodore Barry fell the honor or fpulling the cord which uncovered the ] features of the statue, and President
 Wilson, James T Regan, the national
 president of the Ancient Order of Efi- Tbernians, and other proripent men were on the program to deliver dedica- tory addresses. William c. Clarke. son of T. I. c. Clarke, president gen eral of the American Irish t4istorieai society, read a dedicatory poem writ ten for the occasion by his father.
 The monument is a gift of Congress, through thee appropriation in 1906 cf $50s000 and the ceremonies today were under the Joint auspices of the gov lernment and an executive committee Representing Irish American societies throughout the country. They fol lowed parade of soldiers. sailora, marines and members Of many Irish organizations.
 Sculptor an Frishman. The statue Is the work of an Irish- American sculptor John J, Boyle cf [ in the naval uniform of the day, waeu as comm arlder Of the B1ack Prime. and director of American naval oper- atfons, he wrecked havoc on Britlah commerce The right hand rests on ] the; hilt of a sheathed sword and the I1eft hangs amid the folds Of a great Icloax draped from the shoulders. The head is turned a little to the right and slightly upward and the poise land whole attitude is one of dashlnE gaIlantry. The statue stands ten feet ! high on a marble pedestal 18 1-2 feet on the front on which is high reliel is sculptured figure of victory on the prov of ship. On the base, is this inscription:
 JOHN BARHY
 Cornmodore of the United States Navy Born County Wexford. Ireland. 1745- Died Philadelphia, 1sQs. The likeness Is based on the only portrait of Comnodore Barry in ex- istence, the work of Gilbert Stua-rl, now in the state house in Philadelphia
 painted 5uat before Barrys death at the ageoof 5. From this portrait the i isculptor sought to produce a younlr- l CT likeness representing the naval I hero at the age Of 40 when he wa
 II the zeu1tn or ms career
 Two Days Celebration 1 Although the chief reason Tor the 1 gathering of Irfsh4A Aea9cans in the I lnationa1 capital the eeremonies today were but part Of two days csle- bration 1nfended to euphasizs tho achievements Of men of Irish ltneaEe in this country Yesterday there was a pilgrimage to the tomb of Wash iington at Mount vernon where tn pay linz respect to the father of his cour Itry, prominent orators also lauded the deeds of Irish patriots in Anerican | history Last night there was an Irisa song concert rendered by the slee club l of the Friendly Sons Of St. PatrieaE sof New York city and a number Of euaius ent individual singers of Irish descent. 1 Tonight the celebration closes with 1banquet 10 be addressed by Governor io,NeiIl of Alabama, and Josephus Daniels secretary Of the navy | One of the interesting festures oi 1.-the celebration was the assemblyins lin Washington of members Of tho Ear l " family from all over the couhtry and the formation of a. national Barry l Association Bach member wore a tspeciai Identification badge Anethet feature was the gathering under one lroof of the descendanfs of Trishin sn iborn in County Wexford the native meath Of Commodore Barry