The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-08-22

| DOoIOA SISS SOuhSl1y lhO MdoSoShu-
sets house Of representatives, and
the Governors council of Massachu-
sets before his election to Congress
in 1910.
While at Washington, Mr.. Muir
ray was most active and aggressive
in his duties and his committee as
signments were most important.
Mr.. Murray is member of Bum
ker Hill Council, knights of Column
bus.
He will take charge of the Boston
Post Office on Sept. l.
Memorial to Commodore Thomas
NIacdonougf.
In the always interesting sundry
civil act, which this year was ap-
proved by President Wilson on Aug.
1, the following provision and appro-
priation is made:
For the erection of memorials at
or near Plattsburg, New York, in
commemoration of the victory of
Commodore Thomas Macdonough on
Lake Champlain, in September. 1915,
in accordance with plans to be ap-
proved by the secretary of war and
commissions to be appointed by the
states of Vermont and New York, re-
spectively, TO be expended by the sec
rotary of war, $4,000 toward the
memorial of the state of Vermont
and $4,000 toward the memorial
Of the state of New York; in all,
$4,000: PROVIDED. That no part
Of the said appropriation shall be
paid out of the treasury until after
the state of New York shall have ap-
propriated a sum not less than $685.
900 for it's said memorial and cele-
bratiOn.
This celebration will be held at
Plattsburgh, N. Y. on Sept. II. to
commemorate the centennial of COM
modore Macdonough's decisive vic
tory over the British fleet, under
Capt. Downie.
Macdonough lived in a romantic
age of our naval history. He was the
contemporary of Null. Decatur. Law
renee, Porter, Stewart and others
The lives Of many of these have been
written, their records preserved,
their memory duly nonored; but who
was this Macdonough, who, down to
the Civil. war, was the greatest figure
of them all? His grandfather, James
Macdonougfih came from Ireland to
America about 1880, and settled at
Newcastle, Delaware, at place
known as 1.-The Trappe." Thomas
Macdonough, ST., the father of the
Commodore. was born there in 17A7.
and there he studied and practiced
medicine until the opening Of the
Revolution. He rendered distin-
guished services and for gallant con-
duct in the battle of Long Island he
received the thanks of General Wash
ington. He died in 1895.
Thomas Marlborough, Jr., the Com
modore, was born on Dec. 81, 1898,
and was one of four brothers. the
oldest of whom served in the navy. Of
the United States, and lost leg in
the battle between the Constellation
(stin afioat) and L'Insurgente, on
Feb. 18, 1899.
At the age of 16, Thomas was ap-
pointed a midshirman in the navy by
President John Adams. From 1900
to 1914. he served on many ships of
the U. S. navy and in 1871 Paul
Hamilton, then secretary of the navy,
suggested that Macdonough present
his resignation. due to a request for
furlough. which was the cause of
the difference. Young Macdonough
was informed that in consideration
of his good standing his request
would be granted.
On Sept. IL, 1912, Marlborough
was ordered to take command of the
vessels on Lake Champaign. He was
then stationed at Portland, Maine,
and he made the journey on horse
back, carrying only bundle and
valise. Upon his arrival at the lake
he commenced at once to collect men,
ammunition and supplies, but during
the fall of 1912 and summer OF 1913
little was accomplished.
On Sunday morning. Sept. IL,
1914, the British feet hove around
Cumberland Head, while Macdon-
ough knelt in prayer on the deck
of the Saratoga. He waited until
the British ship Confidence came
within range and then fired the first
gun himself, killing and wounding
several men and carrying away their
wheel. This was the signal for gem
eral firing on the part of the Ameri-
can commanders Is distinguished in
having command the only smaller
feet that ever defeated a larger one.
The loss of both sides in killed and
wounded was great. and when the
battle ceased hardly a mast was
standing in either fleet. An old sail
or, who had been with Nelson at
Trafalgar, declared that that was