Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1918-09-28

council, No. 800:
with the American Army, No
vember IS, 1918.-My Dear
Friend: Your letter and papers
were all received. / was especially
glad to see the Kentucky Irish
American. 1t carried me in spirit
back to Louisville and st. Louis
Bertrand's, where my thoughts are
often conferred. The name Irish
American brings to my mind some
interesting things that will furnish
me subject matter for this bit of a
letter.
"Now that the biggest war in
history is over, the world will see
its largest output of books on war
historical and otherwise. Already
books dealing with the war have
multiplied greatly. Much will be
written, much said. Fourth of July
orators will swing many periodi-
cal on the subject. I confess that
/ have a few salient facts stored in
my mind which shall not be secrets
always. I'll let you in on one of
these facts now, but only in a way.
The laws of censorship forbid the
names of places, as also geographic
cal descriptions which reveal situa-
lions. 1 can not now be specific,
but some day I'll fill in the de-
tails. Enough to say that 1t was
With the American Army One
drive after another was being made
all along the front. The Americans
did their part, and did 1t we'll at
with our boys was in holding them
ha O1r 90 80 ~
certain day and in a certain place
a certain organization had orders to
make an advance. All was going
splendidly until the pup, pup, pup
Of German machine guns was heard.
These are sounds that those who
have been at the front will never
forget. The enemy held the POSI-
ton of advantage and the whistling
bullets made the men hug the earth.
But the objective had to be reached.
The firing ceased, and at the same
instant Lieutenant, who was act
Ing as Captain of a company, was
up and going forward. He was
followed by his men. With a sci
ence that was mere than human
and shield not of earth. the Lieu
tenant and his men succeeded In
crossing the bullet-ridden area.
The heroic example set by the Lieu
tenant was later followed by others
until at length the whole line was
moving forward.
"Now the salient fact that
wish you to know is that the Lieu
tenant is Cor was) an Irishman,
and of course a Catholic; and most
Of the men who followed him were
,he same. The organization was
proud of the work done that day
and we'll it might be. 1t was
glorious achievement for our Ameri-
can soldiers, deserving to be re-
corded in the annals of the great
war. But may we not, and should
we not Tin our own records) write
that 1t was an Irishman who led
the way? Some day will tell You
his name, as well as the time and
the place.
There are many points OF view,
and as long as they are just and
fair we grant. as we claim, tina
right to hold a point of view.
view with suspicion the American
ism of Irishmen who do not love
ireland. To me It is test of their
loyalty to America. An Irishman
who can forget the land of heroes.
saints and scholars will likewise
forget the land OF the free. the
brave and the true--the land of the
red, white and the blue. The love
Of true Irishman for Ireland is
the best proof OF his love for
America. Just as the love of Cath
Ole for the Virgin Mother is an ex-
preston OF his love OF Christ. The