Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1914-05-09
Government VIII Express Its
Appreciation of His Gallant
Service.
President Wilson and Four Gov
ernors VIII BE Special
Guests.
SCHOOL CHILDREN INTERESTED

At this time when the naval and
military forces are busily engaged in
upholding the honor of the nation
one is impressed with the bronze
statue of Commodore John Barry,
"the father of the American navy"
the head of which is shrouded with
canvas covering. In the stirring
days of '76, when the Continental
Congress took steps to establish a
naval force to defend the honor and
integrity of the Colonies, Commodore
Barry returned from abroad in the
Black Prince, the finest American
merchant vessel in it's time, and ten
dered his services to Gen. Washing
ton and the Colonies. The Congress
almost Immediately placed him in
command of its naval operations, and
his devotion and gallantry through
out the Revolutionary war so en-
deared him to Gen. Washington that
in writing to Commodore Barry upon
one occasion he expressed the wish
that a Suitable reward would al
ways attend his (Barry's) bravery"
On May 16 the Government Will
express it's appreciation for the
gallant service thus rendered by un-
yelling in the national capital one
OF the handsomest bronze statues
ever eercted in this country. Special
trains have been chartered by New
York Irish-American societies, and
from Philadelphia, Boston and sew
| eral other points word is sent that
| arrangements of the same character
are being made.
The pilgrimage to the tomb of
Washington on May Is has been ar
ranged as mark of esteem to the
man who issued to Commodore Barry
the first commission in the American
| navy. William II. De Lacy, of WASH
| ington. ID. c., is Chairman of the
committee in charge of this feature
o. the exercises, and his committee
has completed arrangements for one
of the greatest pilgrimages ever
taken to this famous shrine.
One of the best known Irish
Americans will be the orator on the
occasion, and the ceremonies are to
take place at 3 o'clock. In the even
ing there will be a banquet. Invita-
tions have gone forth and returns are
surprising those in charge of this
feature. President Wilson and four
Governors of States of Irish descent,
representing the four sections of the
United States, have been invited as
special guests at the banquet, and
it is expected that each will make an
| address.
| With the unveiling of the monu-
ment only another week off en-
thusiasm among people of the Irish
race throughout the United States is
such as has never before been known.
and this has been increased by the
news flashed to the world that
among the first men to give their
lives to their country in Mexico. the
fighting race" maintained its pres
tige in defense of the starry banner.
The Barry monument headquarters
are daily in receipt of news from
Irish-American organizations in va.
rious. parts of the country, signifyine
their intention of coming or sending
representatives TO Washington for
the ceremonies.
During the first week in May an
appeal went forth to the various
State Superintendents of Education
asking for their cooperation in hav.
ing all the school children of the
country devote some time during the
week ending May Is to the study oi
the life OF the first Commodore oi
the American navy.