The appointment of Captain Barry had special significance at the time it
was made--after the discovery of the treason of Benedict Arnold. He had
issued on October 7, 1780, an "Address to the Soldiers of the American
Army," in which he declared he thought "it infinitely wiser and safer to
cast his confidence upon Great Britain's justice and generosity than to
trust a monarchy too feeble to establish your Independence, so perilous
to her distant dominions and the enemy of the Protestant faith."

Washington, in almost faint-hearted despair on the discovery of Arnold's
treachery, had asked: "Whom can we trust now?" Was the answer to
Washington and Arnold that made by the Marine Committee of the
Continental Congress by the appointment of Captain John Barry to the
largest, finest and best American war-vessel named in honor of an
alliance with France, the alleged "enemy of the Protestant faith," as
Arnold had declared?

Was that the answer to Arnold by the Congress whom he had denounced "as
mean and profligate" and "praying a soul out of purgatory," because the
members had attended the Requiem service in St. Mary's Church,
Philadelphia, in behalf of the soul of Don Juan de Miralles, the Spanish
Agent to the Congress, and in the very church which Captain Barry
attended when in Philadelphia.

The Irish-born Catholic, John Barry, could be trusted with the very best
when the native-born Protestant, Arnold, had betrayed the country for
pelf and position among the oppressors of the native land of John Barry
and the native land of the infamous Benedict Arnold.

What more could the adopted land of John Barry do for one who had been
so faithful and so helpful from the first day of opportunity to serve
her? It will erect a monument at the Capital of the Nation for America
as Ireland's SONS OF ST. PATRICK have erected one at Independence Hall.
His new country had given him the first, and at all times the best, she
had to bestow, as his native land had given to America. Place of birth
nor creed of faith made no disparagement of such superior worth as John
Barry possessed.

The Congress that had, to the people of Great Britain, denounced Barry's
religion as "one fraught with impiety, bloodshed, rapine and murder in
every part of the globe," had given to the Irish-born Catholic who gave
the best he possessed in talent, ability and service to the cause of
America, had also given him the first of her war vessels, continued to
give him