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It remained for the literary partners of these so called memoirs to sully the pages of the Century by sneering at the "young Irishman," who had little discernible merit or availability about him except his nationality." And the surprising discovery is made that it was to “the same cogent ethnological reasons to which he owed all his honors."

Having thus explained the secret of Shields' successive honors and distinctions, they next proceed in their efforts, by seeking to defame and belittle him. "Shields was a man of inordinate vanity and of corresponding irascibility," and "through a long life of somewhat (?) conspicuous public services he never lost a certain tone of absurdity, which can only be accounted for by the qualities which we have mentioned." And again the "insane insolence" and the "antic fury" of Shields, "who did nothing in silence," but "with blustering and threats; his nature had no other way of expressing itself." Nor is this all the honorable wounds sustained by the "young Irishman" on battle fields made glorious by American valor are scoffingly referred to, as though they had been beggars' sores paraded to elicit pennies.

These are samples of the unfair and unworthy spirit shown in the treatment of Gen. Shields by the authors of this remarkable paper. I am not alone in the belief that no other writers could be found who would thus seek to tarnish the lustre of an honored name, and bring into derision services so distinguished and so meritorious. The career of Gen. Shields and his public services are historical. Let me briefly summarize the principal facts.

Emigrating in early youth to the United States he settled in the southern part of Illinois, taught school, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. Subsequently elected successively member of the legislature, auditor of State, judge of the supreme court, at a period in the history of Illinois when there was scarcely such an element known in its politics as the Irish vote, it could not have been the "ethnological reason" which explains Shields' successive promotions in the public service. He was appointed commissioner of the Land Office at the unanimous request of the Illinois delegation in congress; and it was through the same agency that Shields was commissioned brigadiergeneral in command of the Illinois troops raised for service in Mexico. Both these latter statements are made on the authority of the Hon. John Wentworth, the only surviving Illinois congressman of that period. This surely ought to dispose of the assertion that Shields had "no discernible merit or availability about him except his nationality."

It might indeed be claimed that Shields' nationality, far from being an advantage or a resource for political promotion, would, in those early days on the western frontier, have been rather a disqualification and a drawback; but happily it was not so. The pioneers of Illinois were men of broader gauge and more liberal notions. The talent, steadiness, and tried honesty of the "young Irishman" won their favor and confidence, and so he came to be promoted successively to one after another post of honor and trust, each higher than the preceding. But if ever there were any doubt or question as to his claim to unquestioned place in the ranks of American citizenship, his "baptism in blood" and his acknowledged prowess and capacity on the battle-plains of Mexico fully

and unequivocally established it. The most cursory reading of the histories of the war with Mexico will make this assertion evident, and the records of the War Department demonstrate it in the most conclusive

manner.

Lieut.-Gen. Winfield Scott, commander-in-chief of the United States forces, repeatedly complimented Gen. Shields in his public orders and reports. In a report to the War Department dated April 19, 1847, from "Plan del Rio, fifty miles from Vera Cruz," giving details of the engagement at Cerro Gordo, he mentions, "Brig.-Gen. Shields, a commander of activity, zeal, and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded." In a later dispatch, giving further details of the same battle, Gen. Scott says: "Shields' brigade, bravely assaulting the left, carried the rear battery (five guns) on the Ialapa road, and aided materially in completing the route of the enemy." Again: "The brigade so gallantly led by Gen. Shields, and after his fall by Col. Baker, deserves commendation for its fine behavior and success.' "I am happy," he adds, "in communicating strong hopes of the recovery of the gallant Gen. Shields, who is so much improved as to be brought to this place."

Scarcely convalescent from the effects of this grave wound Shields insisted on leading his brave Illinois troops in the further engagement and march which led to the fall of the city of Mexico. He is in the front of every battle, the idol of his soldiers, the trusted lieutenant of the commander-in-chief. His services, capacity, and bravery are mentioned again and again in the dispatches from the seat of war.

In report No. 32 from Tamboya, battle of Contreras, Aug. 28, 1847, Shields is mentioned several times. I give only one quotation: "Shields, too, by the wise disposition of his brigade and gallant activity, contributed much to the general results. He held masses of cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery, in check below him, and captured hundreds, with one general (Mendoza), of those who fled from above."

At Cherubusco "Shields concentrated the division about a hamlet, and determined the attack in front. The battle was long, hot, and varied; but ultimately success crowned the zeal and gallantry of our troops, ably directed by their distinguished commander, Brig.-Gen. Shields." And so in the final assault which led to the surrender of the Mexican capital, Gen. Shields received the warm commendation of Gen. Scott for his gallantry and skill; and it is to be remembered Shields was again wounded at Chapultepec but refused to leave the field. And this is the man who had "little discernible merit or availability about him except his nationality."

When on his return a grateful State, proud of the renown won by her soldiers on a foreign field, proud of the bravery and capacity shown by the commander who led them, manifested her gratitude by electing Gen. Shields United States senator, the entire country accepted and the whole people applauded the act as a just and merited recognition of valor and capacity. When, too, the State of South Carolina, whose gallant troops he had led, tendered a costly jewelled sword to Gen. Shields, in remembrance of his chivalry and valor, assuredly it was for no "ethnological reason." And the same as to the city of New York, which presented him with a like testimonial.

How did Gen. Shields acquit himself in the service of Illinois in the various important positions held in her capital and at the capital of the nation? Let the public records, let the testimonials of his contemporaries and associates attest. We shall see later how gloriously he crowned a memorable career on other battle-fields, and in still further services, representing two other States in the United States senate.

But let me quote a tribute spontaneously paid to Gen. Shields when his credentials as United States senator from Illinois were presented to the United States senate. Shields' admission as senator was opposed on the ground of "ineligibility." He was not long enough a citizen it was claimed to entitle him to admission - hence the debate, and hence also the letter to his competitor, Judge Breese, for which, however, there is another curious explanation not necessary now to recall. Senator Foote, of Mississippi, in speaking of the question said: "This countryman of ours has been guilty of no crime privately or publicly; his misfortune, if misfortune it be, is to have been a native of a foreign country. Though born elsewhere than in the United States, he has never failed to sympathize with our progress as a nation, and for years past he has performed all the duties of citizenship creditably. Within two years this persecuted hero has had it in his power to give evidence of true American feeling which few native Americans have been able to exhibit. He has been baptized in blood and fire into our American family upon the battle-plains of Mexico, and the herioc deeds of this man have become part of our national history. The renown which he has acquired has penetrated every part of the Republic; there is no neighborhood on this side of the Atlantic with which his name has not long become familiar and his fame become established."

Serving Illinois in the senate from 1849 to 1855, Gen. Shields took part, and no inconspicuous part, in all the important measures then under consideration. No suspicion of jobbery or corruption ever attached to his honored name, in that or any other service or station. Failing of re-election because of divisions in his own party, he emigrated to Minnesota and formed a colony of his countrymen in the county in which he located. He was chosen one of the first senators from the newly admitted State, serving from 1857 to 1859.

His active and restless spirit caused him to seek another and remoter field of activity in California, from which he was recalled during the War of the Rebellion, and he tendered his services to the government. Commissioned a brigadier Aug. 9, 1861, by his old-time adversary, he was given a command, and once more swiftly gave evidence of his capacity and prowess.

He served with distinguished honor throughout the celebrated campaign in the Shenandoah, and though severely wounded at the battle of Winchester he succeeded the next day in out-marching, out-manœuvring and defeating Stonewall Jackson,- the only northern general who ever attained that distinction. Shortly after, seeing that men like himself were not likely to receive consideration at the hands of the ruling power, he resigned his commission.

His subsequent career is briefly told. He remained in California till the war closed, when he selected the State of Missouri as his per

manent home. He lived here in retirement on a farm, until called by his neighbors to represent his county in the legislature of the State. He was subsequently appointed adjutant general, and in 1879 was chosen United States senator to fill the unexpired term caused by the death of Senator Bogy — which lasted only a few months. He thus had the unique distinction of having served as United States senator from three states Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Gen. Shields died suddenly at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 1, 1879. Notwithstanding his brilliant military and civic talents, Gen. Shields lived and died a poor man. With abundant opportunities during his public service to have enriched himself, no bribe or "boodle" ever stained his hands. During his residence in Missouri he cultivated a small farm in Carroll County. So poor was he that he could hire little or no help. He ploughed his own fields, and could often be seen hatless and coatless following the plough. It was even said that his necessities caused him to pledge the jewelled swords, already alluded to, so straitened was he for means in his last days.

And this is the man and such the career scornfully and sneeringly characterized by the literary partners, “John Hay and John G. Nicolay," in the Century article in question.

The late Gen. John A. Logan, to his honor be it said, publicly rebuked a less cowardly attack on the hero when he was still living and able to defend his good name. In a letter addressed to Senator Sargent, who was opposing the bill placing Gen. Shields on the "retired list," Gen. Logan said :

"Strike him as he did his enemies on the field of battle-square in the body, but not over the heads of others. Say that he is not entitled to it, not because he does not deserve well of his adopted country, for he does; not because he was not a brave and gallant soldier in two of our great wars, for he was; not because he was not wounded almost unto death in both, for he was; not because he is not old, for he is; not because he is not now suffering from his wounds, for he is not because he is not very poor and needy, for he is; not because he does not come under every requirement that would have placed him on the retired list, for he does. . . . The bill is before the senate, and the record of Gen. Shields is part of the history of the country, written upon one of its brightest pages. What has been done so far, whatsoever the motives of others, does not result from his importunity. Let the nation perform an act of gratitude toward an old volunteer soldier and one of its ablest defenders, who has to move slowly along under the weight of many years and the pain of many wounds. Let him feel that his last days are to be his happiest, having received evidence of his country's gratitude for his untiring devotion to her in all her trials.

"Very respectfully,

“JOHN A. LOGAN.”

The generous words of the lamented Logan present a strong contrast to the estimate given by the Century writers, and other equally notable and distinguished testimony to the worth, services, and ability of Gen. Shields could easily be cited.

But enough, perhaps, has been said on the subject, nor is it necessary to refer to the services and devotion of men of Irish nationality to the cause of American liberty, to the vindication of American honor, to the maintenance of American institutions. It is a long and illustrious chronicle that commences with Montgomery and Sullivan in the Revo

lutionary era, down to Sheridan and Shields, Meagher and Mulligan, in the period of the Civil War.

Happily the American people have long since discarded the narrow and contracted notion that man must be born within certain peculiar limits in the United States in order to be a true American.

America welcomes all from every land who come to share in her destinies, and who loyally and faithfully accept the duties and responsibilities attaching to citizenship in this great country. Were there more men like Gen. Shields in her armies and her councils we never need fear for the honor, the perpetuity, or the renown of our country.

WILLIAM J. ONAHAN.

Life of Father Felix Joseph Barbelin, S. J.*

THOUGH Eleanor C. Donnelly will always be best known and best loved as a poet, she is a charming prose-writer, too, as her lately published life of Father Barbelin especially attests. It is a loving and faithful portraiture of the children's apostle, by one of his latest and most cherished spiritual children. Born at Luneville, Lorraine, in 1808, Felix Joseph Barbelin came to America in 1831, entered the Society of Jesus, and was ordained at Georgetown, and spent all his priestly life at the famous "Old St. Joseph's," Philadelphia. Because of his piety and tact he was made rector in the stormy "Know-Nothing" days, and he held that office from 1844 till his death in 1869. He regenerated the lukewarm Catholics of his pastoral charge by his work among their children. Indeed, his influence was felt far beyond the limits of his parish. He became friend, confidant, playmate almost, to the little ones, to win them and keep them for Christ; and he was well rewarded, for his old-time spiritual children are now true pillars of the church in Philadelphia, full of the apostolic spirit of their beloved father, and leaders in all good works. All that the devoted Jesuit did for children. and adults the founding of St. Joseph's College, of the parochial schools, the Home for Young Catholic Working-Girls, the Temperance Societies, the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul; his work among the fever-stricken Irish immigrants, among the French, the Italians, the colored people — are minutely and sympathetically chronicled; so that on closing the book the reader feels as if Father Barbelin were an oldtime friend, of whose virtues and labors he had personal cognizance. Miss Donnelly merits the thanks of Catholics everywhere for making known the life of this model priest, whose whole character is summed up in the judgment of one who knew him intimately: "Seldom or never did he take a step that had to be retraced."

ELEANOR C. DONNELLY. Philadelphia: Fasy & Comber, 1887.