CATHOLIC HERO’S MEMORY.

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1919, Page 15

CATHOLIC HERO’S MEMORY.

The Southern Cross, of Buenos Ayres, says:The Admiral Brown monument was unveiled on July 8, the eve of the 103rd anniversary of the Declaration of Argentine Independence, under the auspices of the National Government and the committee appointed by the IrishArgentine people. Brown, an Irishman by birth and descent (he was born at Fox ford, Co. Mayo), was an Argentine citizen and an Argentine hero. He was to the infant navy what General Sail Martin was to the valiant and glorious Argentine army. He was the man who made it a power and first led it to victory. His career adds lustre to the Argentine record of mighty achievement his memory is one of the most precious legacies inherited by the Irish race and especially by Irish-born men and women in this fair land of freedom, and Argentine citizens of Irish descent. A member of an old Irish family, which had been Catholic from time immemorial, William Brown, through all the vicissitudes of a stirring life, never wavered in his faith. It is recorded of him that he had special devotion to St. Patrick, and in the battle of Martin Garcia ho captured the strategic island to the strains of “St. Patrick’s Day,” and not only saved Buenos Ayres from the possibility of invasion, but established Argentina’s claim to the River. Irish-Argentines will remember with pride that the first successful blow of the Argentine navy in the cause of independence was struck by an Irishman on the Irish national festival, March 17, 1814, Brown’s fife and drum band playing “St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning.” Brown’s return to Buenos Ayres was like one of Caesar's, triumphal entries into Rome. The victor of Martin Garcia was overwhelmed with the most extraordinary marks of honor and gratitude. As proof of his religious sentiments it may be mentioned that when he was wounded near Montevideo he was spiritually attended by Father Juan Tupac-Amaru and Father Martin Martinez, and when the battle was over he gave public thanks to God for the brilliant victory of Montevideo on May 17, 1814. .. ; >-