The Irish standard., 1914-05-09
dwelling of Barry Monument will
Make Washington Center of
Irish Interest May Is
Every Irish Organization Will Send
Representatives to Assist
in Ceremonies
Details of Program are Complete
Hero of Fighting Race" will
be Signally Honored

At this time when the Naval and
Militia forces are busily engaged in
UNFOLDING the honor of the Nation
one is impressed as he passes Frank
lin Square and gazes upon the Bronze
Statue of Commodore John Barry
1.-THE Father of the American Navy.
the head of which is shrouded with
a canvas covering.
In the stirring days of '76, when
the Continental Congress took steps
to create Naval force to defend the
honor and integrity of the Colonies,
Commodore Barry returned from
abroad in the Black Prince. the fin
est American merchant vessel in its
time, and rendered his services to
General Washington and the Colo
MES. The congress almost immedi-
ately placed him in command of its
naval operations, and his devotion
and gallantry throughout the Revolu-
tionary War so endeared him to the
Father of our Country, that in writ
ing to Barry upon one occasion he
expressed the wish that suitable
reward would always attend his
(Barry's) bravery"
On Maybe the Government will
express its appreciation for the gal
liant service thus rendered, by I'M
yelling in the National Capital one
of the handsomest bronze statues
ever erected in this country, and
from all information at hand to date,
those in charge expect this ceremony
to be one Of the greatest Of its kind
ever held.
With the unwilling of the Barry
Monument only two weeks 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 within
the last few days by the news flashed
to the world that among the first
men to give their lives to their coun-
try in Mexico, the lighting race"
maintained it's prestige in defense of
the Starry R,aer.
The Barry Monument headquar-
tiers are daily in receipt of news from
Irish-American Organizations in vari-
GUS parts of the country, signifying
their intention of coming or sending
representatives to Washington for
the ceremonies on May 18th and
18th. Special Irish-American socie-
ties, from Philadelphia, Boston and
several other points word is sent that
arrangements Of the same character
are being made.
The Special Pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage to the tomb of
Washington on May 18th has been
arranged as a mark of esteem to the
man who honored Commodore Barry
by issuing to him the first commits
sion in the American Navy. Hon.
VIM. H. De Lacy of Washington, d.
c., is chairman of the committee in
charge of this feature of the exer-
cises, and his committee have COM
pleted arrangements for one of the
greatest pilgrimages ever taken to
this famous shrine.
One of the best known 1rish-Amer-
leans will be the orator on the occa-
sion, and the ceremonies are sched-
uled to take place at o'clock.
Banquet.
Invitations have gone forth and re-
turns are surprising those in charge
Of this feature. Some time since the
National Executive Committee decid-
ed to allow the ladies to participate
in the banquet and practically every
subscription received by the commit
tee calls for reservation for one or
more ladies. and we are assured that
this feature will not only be a sue
cess. but that many who would like
to attend will be denied the pleasure
because of the limited capacity Of the
banquet hall. The committee in
charge were compelled to adopt a
resolution that subscriptions would
be honored in the order received, and
1t behooves those who wish to partici-
pate to Immediately send to William
p. Normoyle, chairman of banquet
committee, for reservations.
President and Governors Invited.
President Wilson and four COVER
nors of states of Irish descent, repre-
senting the four sections of the Uni
ted States, have been invited as spe-
cial guests at the banquet. and it is
intended that each will make an ad-
dress.
Special Excursions.
The railroads are offering special
excursion rates from various points
for the unwilling exercises. and in
many cases are running special
trains. The Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad has arranged special trip
to leave Boston. Thursday, May 14th,
at pm. via Fall River Line to New
York. thence by rail to Washington,
returning the party will leave Wash
ington Sunday, May II. The rate
from Boston viii be s23.50. which