The Irish standard., 1914-05-16
EULOGY OF COMMODORE BARRY
By JAMES ]. REGAIN.
National President of the 40. H.
AT the dwelling of the Barry Monument
Washington, D. c., May Is, 1914.

Capt. John Barry! How the name
recalls the thrilling times of our
struggle for Independence and the
memorable years. Of our infancy as
Republic, and how the tribute paid
here today to the Father of the
American Navy" must serve as an
ern skies are even now upholding
the honor of the flag that he helped
to consecrate.
This week witnesses two beautiful
tributes to the heroes of our navy.
A nations sorrow was displayed last
Monday in our greatest harbor and
in our largest city for the gallant
lads who gave up their lives when
the latest call to duty was sounded:
today nations undying thankful
ness is generously poured out to the
man who enthused his followers
to remember that they should not
hesitate to make sacrifices-that on
sea as on land the flag stands for an
ideal, and that no price can be too
much from those who are expected
to uphold that ideal.
Need say that l. as the spokes-
man of my Race, feel a peculiar
pride on this historic occasion, in be-
ing privileged to recall that the first
man who held a naval commission
under this government, and the first
boy who gave up his life in our re-
cent trouble were both of the good
old Celtic stock, the former being
born in Wexford, Ireland, and the
latter in one of our neighboring
states. All honor to Barry and Hag-
gerty! They are only the first and
the latest. During that time many
another had with equal fortitude
faced the whistle of the bullets. and
found music in the cannon's roar,
and let me assure those who are
gathered here that whenever in the
future men are wanted to defend the
flag the sons of Erin will be true to
their traditions and will be in the
forefront displaying their devotion
to their adopted country.
To properly grace these ceremon-
les, we have made a pilgrimage to
Mount Vernon and at that spot, hal
lowed by the mortal remains of our
first president, we have renewed our
Declaration Of Independence; we
have likewise shown our respect and
appreciation to our present highest
executive officer. and were it not
that we do not have to be over ef-
fusive in our professions of loyalty,
we would tell him that there are no
more sincere sons of the republic
than the exiles of Erin and their de-
scendants. and that just as we real
ize that the heart of Washington pal
pilates in the breast of Wilson. so
we assure our President that the
spirit of Jack Barry and Of the
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Phila-
delphia who were so true to Wash
ington, breathes in the soul of every
man of Irish blood and warns the
pulse beat of every member of the
organization l represent-the An
cient Order of Hibernians and their
Auxiliary.
And while we. the children of the
Gael, the exiles of Erin, rejoice at
this nations tribute to our naval
hero. let me assure you that in the
old land. the land Of his birth, many
a young man is looking to this Ell
Dorado of his dreams. is even now
praying that the country which hon
ors Barry may one day give him an
opportunity to show what under a.
fostering flag Irish hearts and Irish
hands can do.
This occasion is too big and too
sacred for man in my position to
demean himself. or the Order he rep
resents. or the Race that he speaks
for. by referring to any petty slurs
that deliberately cultivated society
should say against US or even to re-
spond by a word to what vile sheets.
tolerated for what reason know
not. seem permitted to print against
a people who helped to throw the
mantle of freedom around their
fathers when they were willing to
sleep in the shroud of serfdom.