Part 42
In every land to which these “wild geese” bore their messages of those eternal verities for which they were banished from their own country, their Irish ideals have, under a more human tolerance than that from which they flew, been steadily extending and exerting more beneficent influences over the lives of men and nations. This could not have been otherwise. Here, where they came more numerously for a century or more than was the emigration from nearly all the rest of Europe together, Irish ideals of the form of the modern elective system of government have been more dominantly interwoven into the web of our national life, more obvious still is the heritage of ancient Celtic culture to be seen in American art, literature and hospitality. Too faintly, perhaps, is it felt in poetry or heard in music, as if, as in Goldsmith’s time, “they wept their own decline.” Yet, as the old art spirit seems now to be steadily regaining its wonted power, it may shortly overcome the evil commercial craze which now infests the earth.
Oxford University, in which, as I have said before, the great Scotus Erigena first established the beginning of classical learning in England, is now having prepared for publication a volume of prose and verse to be printed in fac simile from old Celtic manuscripts, preserved in the great Bodleian library. This is being done under the direction of the great German scholar, Kunz Meyer. He is writing an introduction and notes to the work. No other man living, not even Dr. Douglas Hyde himself, is a more profound Gaelic scholar or a more ardent lover of that Gaelic culture which, as has been seen, did so much toward the enlightenment of the world, than he.
There are many other notable instances of the healthy and vigorous revival of the Gaelic culture spirit and language which space forbids being here added. The selfless interest and liberal aid taken in and extended to this movement by men of other races evinces the fact that it is more of a world-wide out-reaching for the lost inestimable treasures of what the movement means than any narrow exploitation of the achievements of a single race. If, by means of it we shall succeed in expurgating the histories of the civilized world of such pernicious falsehoods as that of Hume’s, we shall certainly have conferred a lasting benefit upon mankind.
THE LATE COL. JOHN F. FINERTY.
BY P. T. BARRY.
Col. John F. Finerty, who died in Chicago on June 10, 1908, was born in Ireland in 1846. In his youth he became connected with the Irish revolutionary movement and was forced to leave Ireland in consequence. He arrived in America in 1864 and immediately joined a New York volunteer regiment in which he served until its disbandment.
Mr. Finerty became connected with the Chicago daily press in 1866. In 1876 he was detailed by Editor Storey of _The Times_ to accompany the column of General Crook against the hostile Sioux and Cheyenne Indian tribes. He was present at most of the Indian battles of that memorable year and was especially mentioned by General Crook in orders for good conduct in the field.
In 1877 he wrote up, among other things, the Rio Grande frontier trouble from both the Texan and Mexican sides of the river. In 1879 he made an almost complete tour of old Mexico, traveling on horseback or by buckboard from the capitol to El Paso del Norte. In July of that year he joined General Miles’ expedition against the Sioux in Montana, crossed the British line and visited the hostile village of Sitting Bull. In October he accompanied General Merritt’s column, operating against the Ute Indians, who had murdered Agent Meeker and killed Major Thornburgh in Colorado. In 1880 he made a complete tour of the southern states and later wrote up the country traversed by the Canadian and Northern Pacific Railroads, then in process of construction.
In 1882 Colonel Finerty severed his connection with the Chicago daily press and founded the _Chicago Citizen_, which he edited until his death. He was elected to congress in that year and distinguished himself in the House by effective speeches in advocacy of the new navy and coast fortifications bills. In 1884 he supported Mr. Blaine for the presidency. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Parnell in his struggle for Irish autonomy and was twice elected president of the United Irish League of the United States.
Colonel Finerty delivered the Washington oration at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, February 22, 1891, and received an ovation from both the faculty and the students. He was also a principal speaker at the James G. Blaine and John A. Logan memorial meetings in Chicago.
In 1890 he published his personal narratives of the Sioux Wars, entitled “Warpath and Bivouac,” which was favorably received and had a large sale in the United States, Canada and England. He had another book in course of preparation at the time of his death. Mr. Finerty was a veteran lecturer on American, Irish and cosmopolitan subjects. He never used notes or manuscript, but having made himself familiar with his subject relied upon his memory for words fitting the subject.
During his journalistic career he reported the lectures of Wendell Phillips, Henry Ward Beecher, Carl Schurz, Edward Everett Hale, Father Tom Burke and many other celebrities, and became convinced that the speaker who did not use manuscripts took best with the American people.
No one could be intimately acquainted with Colonel Finerty without becoming fondly attached to him for his many noble qualities of head and heart. He was a fascinating conversationalist, a brilliant writer and a truly eloquent orator. The great storehouse of his mind unfolded itself in private conversation with the freshness of the running brook, in his writings with the diction and elegance of the classics and in his oratory like a mountain torrent.
Although a firm believer in the Catholic faith himself, every human being who loved justice and liberty and had the courage to avow it he regarded as his brother, no matter in what creed he saw fit to dedicate his thoughts to the Almighty.
In the death of John F. Finerty, Ireland has lost as devoted and self-sacrificing a son as was ever born upon that sacred soil, and the United States has lost as loyal and patriotic a citizen as ever fought either in the defense or in the assertion of American freedom; and the friends of liberty the world over have lost as true and generous an advocate of universal freedom as any country has ever produced.
At the big John F. Finerty memorial meeting, held in the new Seventh Regiment Armory, Chicago, in November, 1908, Hon. P. T. Barry presiding, Hon. Bourke Cockran delivered a most eloquent address in which he said in part:
“_Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen_: If there could be the slightest doubt in the mind of anyone here as to the effect and power of that gift (oratory) which the chairman has described in terms so glowing, he himself has illustrated it in the highest degree. (Applause.)
“I know of no person who has presented the subject, for which a gathering has assembled, in terms so glowing, with an eloquence so splendid, with pathos so tender and with a feeling so true and sincere. I have come tonight to add the tribute of my admiration, my sincere respect and my affection as an Irishman to the memory which we have gathered to commemorate and honor. (Applause.)
“Listening to the words of your chairman, I feel most deeply that a great light has been extinguished which had lit for many thousands and hundreds of thousands the pathway of duty and of honor. A mighty oak under whose umbrageous shade many had been refreshed on the long, trying journey from aspiration to accomplishment, who otherwise would have fallen and fallen forever. A watchman, upon the tower of liberty had been relieved, who had never slumbered at his post. The earth had taken unto her bosom him who had been the embodiment of manly virtue, of manly faith and manly courage while he trod her surface—John F. Finerty lies in a Chicago cemetery. (Applause.)
“This gathering, vast in its numbers and intense in its feeling, is the most eloquent tribute to the respect he inspired, to the influence he wielded, to the fame he acquired, to the memory that he left. What can I say of his life, his achievements, of his personal virtues, to you who are his neighbors, the friends before whose edified eyes every day of his life was passed?
“I know of no life that has been fuller of achievement, more vibrant with strenuous effort and which is absolutely without stain, from the very hour, when he first raised his voice in behalf of his country to the period when he was followed to the grave by a long line of mourners who were privileged to assist at his interment. His death was mourned by hundreds of thousands of his countrymen whose cause he had served, and who had admired his virtues during his life.”
MEMORIAL TO JEFFREY ROCHE.
On May 31, 1909, a beautiful tablet was dedicated to Jeffrey Roche and the exercises in connection therewith in Holyhood cemetery, Brookline, Mass., were attended by hundreds who had known and loved the editor, poet and author. The eloquent eulogy was pronounced by Mr. Joseph Smith, one of the founders of our Society, and a devoted admirer of Mr. Roche.
The huge granite memorial was the gift of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club and bore a bronze plate with the following inscription in Gothic capitals:
Beneath This Stone Rests All that is mortal of JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE. Born Mountmellick, Ireland, 31st May, 1847. Died at Berne, Switzerland, 3d April, 1908, An American Consul.
* * * * *
A writer—he gave freely of his genius to humanity that the strong might be restrained, the weak strengthened and right might reign; a poet—patriotism, heroism and justice were the burden of his song; and author—his kindly wit and gentle satire were turned on folly and hypocrisy; an editor—his pen fought stoutly for the oppressed and persecuted of all races and creeds; a man—he never surrendered his principles to temptation, keeping his conscience clear and his mind free.
* * * * *
This tablet is erected by his friends, who loved and admired him in life and mourn and honor him in death.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE. JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE, Born in Mountmellick, Ireland, May 31, 1847. Died in Berne, Switzerland, April 3, 1908.
Under the skies of that brave mountain land, Where Alpine shepherds feudal might defied, Where struggling freedom warring cent’ries spanned, There in the shadows of the hills he died.
The whisp’ring woods to murm’ring rills gave voice, The snowy heights caught faint the lowlands’ sighs, Dead Pan returned and bade his hosts rejoice, For Heav’n is richer when a singer dies.
He died as dies some long sweet summer day, When fruits are golden on the burdened trees; The sun’s pale glory on the sky’s blue gray, And night comes fragrant on the cooling breeze.
They brought him home and laid him down to rest, To sleep forever in his narrow bed, Amid the scenes and friends that he loved best, At rest forever with his sacred dead.
Like the red roses that have bloomed and died, Whose withered sweetness scents each hallowed nook, Shall the dead singer’s spirit still abide To hush dissension and pale hate rebuke. —_Joseph Smith._
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF COLONEL JAMES D. BRADY.
(_Through the courtesy of Joseph P. Brady, his son, Clerk of the U. S. Circuit Court of the Eastern District of Virginia._)
Colonel James D. Brady was born at Portsmouth, Virginia, April 3, 1843, and died at Petersburg, Virginia, November 30, 1900.
The death of his father in 1855, his mother having died during his infancy, made it necessary for him to leave his home in Virginia when a boy of eleven years of age, and go to New York City to live with a kinsman, and he was residing in that city at the time the Civil War broke out.
He enlisted March 9, 1861, as a private in Company A, 37th New York, “Irish Rifles.” On December 7, 1861, he was transferred to the 63d New York Volunteer Infantry, Meagher’s Irish Brigade, and commissioned its first lieutenant. Very shortly thereafter he was made the adjutant of the regiment. He was for gallant and efficient conduct successively promoted to Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of the regiment, and as such last named officer was honorably mustered out of service May 26, 1865, claiming to be the youngest colonel in the Army of the Potomac.
[Illustration:
COL. JAMES D. BRADY.
One of the founders of the Society and the father of Hon. Joseph P. Brady of Richmond, Va. Col. Brady deceased in 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him. ]
Colonel Brady was at different times Judge Advocate, Adjutant-General and Inspector General of the First Division of the 2nd Army Corps.
Colonel Brady participated in all of the great battles in which the Irish Brigade was engaged. He commanded “The Color Company” in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 17, 1862, and while leading his company in the assault of the Irish Brigade upon Marye’s Heights on that day was wounded in the head. General Thomas Francis Meagher specially mentioned his conduct in that battle in his official report. He was slightly wounded in the leg in the “second day” battle of Fair Oaks, the morning that General Howard lost his arm. He was wounded in the mouth at Malvern Hill, and again wounded in the arm at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, in which battle he was dangerously wounded in the body. He was personally complimented by General Hancock at the battle of Fredericksburg on the afternoon General Zook was mortally wounded, Colonel Brady being with General Zook at the time he was shot.
After the war, Colonel Brady returned to Virginia, and was shortly thereafter elected Clerk of the Court of his native city. He held that position until President Hayes appointed him Collector of Internal Revenue for the Eastern Division of Virginia, which position he held under the administrations of Garfield, Arthur, Harrison and McKinley.
He was elected a member of the Forty-ninth Congress from the Fourth Virginia District, and held many other positions of emolument and trust, both under the State and Federal Government.
ENTERTAINMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BY OUR FELLOW MEMBER, HON. CHARLES ALEXANDER, AT MACEDONIA, HIS SUMMER HOME, IN BARRINGTON, R. I.
The meeting of the Executive Council held in Providence, R. I., July 22, 1909, had a pleasant termination. Francis J. Quinlan, M. D., LL. D., President-General, Michael F. Dooley, Esq., Treasurer-General, Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Secretary-General, Hon. Edward J. McGuire, Hon. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Rev. John J. McCoy, D. D., John F. Doyle, Esq., Patrick Carter, Esq., Patrick F. Magrath, Esq., and Colonel John McManus, members of the Executive Council, assembled at the Society’s headquarters and, after considering the business that was brought to their attention, adjourned to accept the very kind invitation of Hon. Charles Alexander to spend the day with him at Macedonia, his beautiful summer home in Barrington, R. I.
The circular calling the meeting of the Council and notifying the members of the invitation was as follows:
PROVIDENCE, R. I., July 15, 1909.
There will be a meeting of the Executive Council Thursday, July 22d, at the summer home of Hon. Charles Alexander in Barrington, Rhode Island, who has invited, through Treasurer-General Dooley, the Council to partake of his hospitality on that day. As it is necessary that Mr. Alexander know just how many of the Council are to be present, will you kindly signify immediately on enclosed postal whether or not you will be present?
The members of the Council will assemble at the office of the Secretary-General, seventh floor Industrial Trust Company Building, No. 49 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island, at 10.30 a. m., July 22d, 1909, and will be conveyed to Barrington, twelve miles distant, by automobiles, passing some of the most beautiful shore scenery in Rhode Island.
Luncheon will be served at twelve o’clock, and a genuine Rhode Island clambake will follow at two o’clock. The members will be brought back to the city in time to take trains for New York or other distant points.
The New York members may take the Providence Line Boat if they choose, leaving Pier 18, New York City, at 5.30 o’clock p. m., and arriving in Providence at 7. a. m. the next morning.
As there is much business of importance to be transacted at the meeting, it is earnestly requested that you be present.
Yours respectfully, THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE, _Secretary-General_.
The members and invited guests were conveyed by automobiles through East Providence and along the shores of Narragansett Bay to Mr. Alexander’s house, where they arrived in season for luncheon, which was served at one o’clock in the casino adjoining his residence.
Following that the members inspected the beautiful grounds and buildings, engaged in the game of bowls on the lawn, examined the extensive plant for the artificial cultivation of Rhode Island clams, and spent a delightful time in social intercourse until three p. m., when a Rhode Island clambake was served, the menu of which was as follows:
Clam Chowder Clam Cakes Broiled Scrod a la Alexander Baked Clams Baked Sweet Potatoes Rhode Island Johnny Cake Baked Lobsters French Fried Potatoes Watermelon Indian Pudding Coffee Cordials
At the conclusion of the dinner Colonel Alexander invited Treasurer-General Dooley to act as toastmaster, and the latter made a most interesting and timely address. Brief addresses were made by Colonel Alexander, President-General Quinlan, Monsignor Doran, Rev. Dr. McCoy, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Lee, Mr. McGuire, Judge Rathbun and Mr. Magrath.
The meeting of the Executive Council, not having taken an adjournment, was called to order again, and the following gentlemen, upon their application, were unanimously elected members of the Society: Hon. Charles Alexander, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Thomas F. Doran, V. G., LL. D., Hon. Elmer J. Rathbun, Charles B. Humphrey, Esq., and Rev. Owen F. Clarke.
It was unanimously voted “that the thanks of the Executive Council be and they hereby are tendered our most genial host for the splendid dinner and entertainment that the Executive Council have this day received at his hands.”
At the conclusion of the exercises the members and guests, after bidding Colonel Alexander good-bye and wishing him happiness and prosperity as long as he lives, returned to Providence and departed for their respective homes.
To Treasurer-General Dooley is rightly due the happy suggestion that brought about the invitation, and it was entirely through his influence that this excellent and dignified entertainment of the Executive Council took place.
PRESENTATION TO COLONEL ALEXANDER.
The local members of the Executive Council, deeply appreciative of the nature and extent of the entertainment on July 22nd, 1909, decided to show their appreciation of Colonel Alexander’s generous hospitality in a substantial manner, and Treasurer-General Dooley caused to be made by the Watson & Newell Company of Attleboro, Mass., a punch bowl eleven inches high, holding two and one-half gallons, the edges of which are mounted with massive silver ornaments; two large silver shields are mounted on the bowl, one on the front and one behind. The front one has the American and Irish flags crossed, with the American eagle above and a wreath around the outside of the flags and eagle, the wreath being composed of shamrock entwined with stalks of ripened grain. On the reverse side of the bowl is a large shield with similar wreaths of grain and shamrock, within which is engraved the following inscription:
“_Memoria tenere diem ambrosianam apud Macedoniam, Alexandri Maximi Domum, Societatis Historicæ Americo-Hibernicæ Sodales hanc crateram dedicaverunt die sexta decima julii A. D. MDCCCCIX._”
“_In poculo pleno nostri non obliviscare._”
the translation of which is as follows:
“To perpetuate the memory of an ambrosian day at ‘Macedonia,’ the home of Alexander the Greatest, the members of the American Irish Historical Society have dedicated this bowl, the 16th day of July, 1909.”
“May we be in the flowing cup remembered.”
The letter accompanying the punch bowl when it was delivered to Colonel Alexander was prepared by Mr. Dooley and is as follows:
THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
OFFICE OF TREASURER-GENERAL.
PROVIDENCE, R. I., October 14, 1909.
MR. CHARLES ALEXANDER, 129 Benefit St., Providence, R. I.
_Dear Mr. Alexander_:—We beg you to accept the accompanying souvenir of an occasion fraught with pleasure for all who participated in it. It is sent by the local members of the Executive Council of the American Irish Historical Society, and carries with it their best wishes for you and yours.
May “Macedonia” be its habitat and the scene of its triumphs, and while it will not add lustre to the glories of the “Home of Alexander,” nor bring greater sunshine within its portals than the gracious host himself always sheds about him, it will, we hope, abide with him as a pleasant remembrance of the donors who keep him in living, loving memory.
Very sincerely yours, MICHAEL F. DOOLEY. THOMAS Z. LEE. JOHN MCMANUS. PATRICK CARTER.
That our genial host was greatly pleased with the gift is evidenced by his very courteous letter in reply, which is as follows:
October 19, 1909.
MESSRS. MICHAEL F. DOOLEY, THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE, JOHN MCMANUS, and PATRICK CARTER, Local Members of the Executive Council of the American Irish Historical Society:—
_Gentlemen_: I am in receipt of your cordial letter of October fourteenth and the splendid punch bowl for Macedonia. I heartily thank you for them both, and you may be sure that the home of the bowl will be Macedonia.
It certainly brings to my mind one of the pleasantest days of my life, and I truly hope that Father Time will deal gently with us so that at no distant date we will all meet again at Macedonia, and with good fellowship drink from the bowl to good luck and prosperity for all.
Thanking you for the kind remembrance, I remain,
Most truly yours, CHARLES ALEXANDER.
The whole event from beginning to end was well managed and the gentlemen present enjoyed every minute of the time spent at Macedonia. The affair was managed by Colonel Alexander and Mr. Dooley, and not a single detail for the comfort or pleasure of the Executive Council was omitted. July 22d, 1909, and Macedonia will be long remembered by the members of the Executive Council who participated in this most enjoyable occasion.
FORT SHERIDAN.
BY LIEUT. ERNEST VAN D. MURPHY, FT. SHERIDAN, ILL.
In 1888 the United States Government, following its traditional policy in the bestowal of names on its fortifications and the stations of its armed forces, selected and gave to the new military post recently established on the shores of Lake Michigan, the name of “Fort Sheridan,” in commemoration of that illustrious Irish-American soldier, General Philip H. Sheridan, who had, but a few years previously, died while in chief command of the army. Placed as it is, on the high bluffs overlooking the blue waters of our exclusively American Sea, the natural advantages of the site combined with the carefully thought out scheme of construction, to say nothing of the care and interest that has been manifested by the various commanding officers, who have, since its foundation been charged with the carrying out of the designs of the War Department, all combine to make the post, as a whole, a worthy memorial of its gallant namesake.