Will you celebrate St.Patricks day even if the Irish fought beside the Mexicans against the USA in 1848?

Question

http://www.noraid.com/SaintPatrick.htm

Answer 1

Hell yes, they had the right idea. One of the least-known stories of the Irish who came to America in the 1840s is that of the Irish battalion that fought on the Mexican side in the U.S.-Mexico War of 1846-1848. They came to Mexico and died, some gloriously in combat, others ignominiously on the gallows. United under a green banner, they participated in all the major battles of the war and were cited for bravery by General López de Santa Anna, the Mexican commander in chief and president. At the penultimate battle of the war, these Irishmen fought until their ammunition was exhausted and even then tore down the white flag that was raised by their Mexican comrades in arms, preferring to struggle on with bayonets until finally being overwhelmed by the Yankees. Despite their brave resistance, however, 85 of the Irish battalion were captured and sentenced to bizarre tortures and deaths at the hands of the Americans, resulting in what is considered even today as the "largest hanging affair in North America."
In almost every Mexican account of the war, the San Patricios are considered heroes who fought for the noble ideals of religion and a just cause against a Protestant invader of a peaceful nation. In U.S. histories, however, they are often portrayed as turncoats, traitors, and malcontents who joined the other side for land or money.

Reasons for Defection

It seems odd that anyone would defect from a superior force sure of victory to join an obviously inferior one certain to be defeated, even if, as most U.S. accounts assert, there were offers of money and land from the Mexicans. There was plenty of free land to the west, much easier to come by than risking one's life in combat against a Yankee army. Simple desertion and refuge in the rich valleys of California would have accomplished that purpose. To determine the true causes of the defection of these men, it is necessary to reflect on the temper of the times.

The potato blight that began in 1845 (roughly coinciding with the Mexican War and lasting for its duration) brought a devastation to Europe more horrible than the Black Death. For the Irish, it was the beginning of massive evictions, starvation, sickness, and death. Of the many fortunate enough to afford the fare for an escape to the New World, tens of thousands would die en route as a result of the inhuman conditions aboard Great Britain's vessels.

Victims of oppression in the Old World, they were to experience it again in the New. Confronted by enormous numbers of Irish-Catholic immigrants in the 1840s, American nativism reared its ugly head. "All the world knows," wrote historian Thomas Gallagher, "that Yankee hates Paddy." And so it seemed to those who had survived the perilous journey to America only to be labeled inferior by demagogic politicians and feared by Anglo-American workmen. Victims of prejudice in the New World, it should not be considered strange that they would shortly find themselves becoming sympathetic to the Mexicans. Here was another Catholic people being invaded by Protestant foreigners. According to a contemporary account, "On reaching Mexico they discovered they had been hired by heretics to slaughter brethren of their own church. On top of this they were confronted with the hatred of their fellow soldiers."

This was a prelude to what the South was to suffer. The War was inevitable. The 1810, 1830 and 1850 census showed the South to be made up of roughly 50% Celtic, 30% English and the remaining 20% were German, French or Spanish. The Irish Potatoes famine of 1846-1850 killed a million plus Irishmen, the problem there was food but the British took it for themselves. Another good example of who has suffered under slavery. The real point the majority of English settled up North and continued to this day their opinion of superiority and want of control over our lot. .

I bet the guy who does not care about their heritage is a yankee, they have no honor or heritage.
God Help the South no one else ever will!

Answer 2

I can tell you that for St.Patricks Day Parade in New York City, everybody is Irish for that day.I would hazard a guess that not ten people know that the Irish fought besides the Mexicans against the USA in 1848.

Answer 3

I do not get you question?

Of course I celebrate the Irish and what all they have given to America.

Do I feel different because some saw Mexico as innocent? Being treated poorly by the Army and American society no wonder some Irish chose that path. It was a stupid war, wrong and as many now know not an easy war for the army.

The issues is also "racism" and anti-Catholic feelings that many held in the US. I would have never been able to war against innocent Mexicans - Texas had its war and issues: most valid.
That war was just not based on any moral principle.

The American Army was 'racist', remained such for another generation. Lincoln had many good relations with Mexico, with Juarez. He wanted Mexico to be a democracy freed from Europe,
so we won a war and did not help Mexico become free. We wasted the chance of centuries on that one.

Answer 4

The Irishmen who fought for Mexico were survivors of the Civil War. They withdrew their allegiance to the U.S. because of the unproportionate numbers of Irish conscripted soldiers on both the Federal and Confederate sides. People who had money to pay could avoid the draft. This left the new Irish immigrants who were too poor to afford the bribe money to fight for a country that treated them no better than free blacks were treated. They were in fact very similar to the Irish mercenaries called The Wild Geese, who hated the British so much that they would fight for anyone that was fighting the English.
So to answer your question; yes. I will celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, because he was Irish, not because of anything to do with the U.S.

Answer 5

Of course I would. I married an Irish girl. Any more need to be said??

Further, if we refused to celebrate and kept holding grudges that occurred over 150 years ago, what chance do we have of being forgiven for our own transgressions? Are you suggesting, for example, that we still should shun the Japanese and Germans for World War II? Makes no sense!!

Chow!!

Answer 6

Would you celebrate the 4th of July if your ancestors were not American colonists in 1776?

Makes as much sense.

Answer 7

Ah, a Yank that supports terrorist organisations like the IRA. You should be in Guantamano Bay Bubba!

Answer 8

I'll drink some green Dos Equis

Answer 9

Hmmm.... what do I go with, my Irish-American heritage, or something that happened 159 years ago... I don't think I'll sleep tonight... maybe I'll call my good friend who grew up in Ireland and ask her. She may know what's p.c.

Answer 10

I did not know this had happened but now that i do i will celebrate twice as hard