New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-07-13


TO declare bcofe my countTynen, and II my voice
could reach thc region Of thrones TO declare be-
fore Prncipaltics and Powers, thu, ,hcinjnrcs in
ficted upon Irishmcn in America are flagTant
violation of law-of the Constitutional Llber
tv, and of Humanity. know indeed what this
declaration costs 1t may indeed give comfort to
the poor and responding exile and awaken feel
inrs Of kindness towards me in his bosom, but 1t
will offend very many OF my own cou"trymen.-
Be ii 50. | desire the respect and regard oimy
own countrymcn but | wonld rather have the
gratitude of one responding and oppressed leII"-
;nan, than The suffrage OF the whole American
People given TO me in consideration OF denying
any true principle of Free Government, or re-
pressing any impulse Of humanity.
They tell us that an trishman or lrishmcn hred
upon American citizens lawfully assembled and
pcaceaby engaged in the discussion OF subjects
affecting tie public welfare. No matter how
offensive might have been the conduct oil that
4ssembecc or how unjust or how irritating It's
discussions ifany Irish,nan did thus aSsai Ane-
rican citlzens, disayuw hlm-I condemn him
deliver him over 10 the law and to public exc
Grafton, for he has committed an objectionable
offence against the Law and Liberty. But the
accusation is denied. They are the strong who
accuse the weak-thc victor VINO upbrad the
conquered-.the inccndiarics who rcvi!e the
sufl rerS therefore, wait for the prools and
suspend my judgement upon the accusation.
But grant that an lrishman or lrlshmen did
commit this great oifence-how Can 1t palliate
the guilt of the retaliation Women and chill
dren and ministers of religion were hunted from
their burning dwellings and churches Did the
Library, tho Hospital or the Altar excite to vlo
eucc Were they Priests, women and children
4
But they tell us as an excuse for the Native
American Party, in whose name these crimes
were committed. that the Roman Catholics of
Philadelphia and New York endca vored, though
ny Constitutional MEANS 10 exclude the Bible
rom the Public Schools | know not how such
plea can bear upon the issue. Bat affirm that
IN this subjec, have ample knowledge and IN
formation and | declare and testify before my
country and the world, that the charge Is unjust
20 the Roman Catholics aud IS false and calun-
NOUS.
But why a,iia'c these painful subjects Be,
cause they involve Immediately the rights and
security OF an important portion of the American
family, and ultimately rights important to the
whole American People and TO mankind.
The Declaration Of American Independence
asserts that all men are free and equal and have
naenabe rights TO Life, Liberty and the pursuit
If happiness. Liberty and the pursuit of happl-
ness involve the right Of free Immigration These
lights are sacred under the Constitution and
Laws, by the power Of Suffrage, and not other
wise N matter then where man may have
,een born or how educated, how elevated or how
degraded, unless By crime, wherever his lot is
east the;c he is d subject, and because subject
4 member OF the Civil State; and as condition
If obedience 10 authority has right to express
f.I.. =. IFtl, ,k,,
execute the Laws. This universal right of SUI
rage is acknowledged by our Constitution and
Laws in regard to those born in foreign lands,
with no other conditions than those Of residence,
morality and loyalty, rccited in The oath prc!ln.
nary to Naturalization.
Ii all this be not true, the Declaration of indie
pcndence is an invitation to deceive and tn be.
tray mankind. This right of suffrage, invaluable
to every citizen, is most necessary to the indI-
gent, lowly exile. 1t is the weapon put into his
hands by society for his defence and protection
! against their own injustice and oppression. Tell
me not that he was born in Indulgence, and is de-
uascd by ignorance, and by OPPRESSION and by
-uoerstition Grant it al. So much the more
, then do demand FOR him the lawful employment
, of the means Of sclfdcfcnce and protection which
the Constitution has placed III his hands. Tell
me not that he does not know how to exercise his
suffrage wisely Docs he not know how 10 lit
i, his hand if you menace? How to strike back il
! you assail him There is an instinct which
teaches this, and that instinct unerrlngly teaches
the Ecctor so TO cast his ballot to preserve his
p own domestic, social and political POSITION
For his own happiness, and for the security and
peace OF society, | would indeed wish him cdu-
4 Gated and instructed, and therefore would rcn
der knowledge as universal as suffrage. But
, would not stipulatc for The knowledge as con-
. dtion of suffrage. Even DeSpotism might con-
. sent to the principle of Democracy with such q
4 | reservation. | have never known that state
:; where the power was given the knowledge Die
;. not Sunn follow. have never known the coun
4 try where. il the power was withheld, the knowl
edge was ever obtained. These arc the princi
. PIES the only principles, By which Liberty can be
extended over the Earth, You may hold lht
, slave in bondage. domestic and social, If you can
but let me put the ballot in his hand, and yor
shah see him speedily rise to freedom, TO know
e Icdge and to happiness.
Believe not, fellow citizens, rha, this is ques
y tion which interests only the VOLUNTARY
c citizen The work OF dsiIanchlsement once Ell
:, ieclually begun would not cease with the debasc
II ment OF one class or condition of men; othc
/ classes would follow and OIigarchy be succeeded
d by Despotsm. Nor is this all. Let the wlst
d men WHO favor this dSiranchlSemcnt tell US how
q they expect 10 secure The subordInation of thu
Y disranchiscd clas.es. They cannot be expelled
u they must increasingly increase by virtue OF th
II irresistible and Interchangeable laws of God. The.
C cannot be degraded 10 domestic Slavery, and nn
less degraded, they cannot be held IN subjec,ol
L To authority, excep, in one of TWO ways, by ;hei
IS own voluntary consent, OF by military force
d Standing armies no man dsrc dtfcnd-Distran
II chised men will not yield voluntary obedience
e The Revelation in Ireland is the result Of th'
II same princp pies adopted by The People Of tina
:. country rs The remedy for evils long endured au
!. no in,olerabe. In our judgment mere rcstoT
5 alton OF the ancient Irish Parliament subordinat
to the Royal power might be an inadequate SC
:e curty for Liberty and it might not work bar
~ moniously with the British Constitution w
ID have no responsibility on these questions. Tn
movement of the Irish people is towards nation