Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-04-15
MIR. POLK AND THE IRISH.

II is well known that the votes OF the Irish
emigrants TO the United States have always
been assiduously and successfully courted by
the Locofoco party In some of the northern
cities, indeed, that portion of our naturallZed
fellow citizens, numbering many thousands,
have heretofore voted almost IN solid phalanx
with that party. II is not difficult 10 account
for the fact II is doubtless owing mainly to
tho circumstance that the lrishman comes 10
the U. States with erroneous impressions in
regard TO the principles Of government held
respectively by the two great political parties
impressions which the Wings have taken
too little pains TO remove, while they have
been encouraged and fortified by the more ac
tive efforts of the Locofocos TO win their con-
fidence and 10 mislead their judgments. The
vote In Congress, however, at the last session,
on the Irish Relief Bill has had its natural effect
of opening the eyes Of some Of our Irish fellow
citizens, who are not slow 10 perceive the DIFF
ference between BLARsEY aud sincerity-be-
tween professions and actions We have be-
fore us some evidence Of this fact, which we
subjoin. as well as for the purpose of attesting
what we say, as with the view of illustrating
trait Of which we have now for the first time
heard, in the character of JAMES X Polk. 1t
is an extract OF a letter from the Washington
correspondent Of the Boston Pilot, a paper
published in Boston, devoted TO the Irish az
fairs, and circulated principally among the
l-lshmen. 1t is ably edited by Mr.. PArRIcK
DosAHoE, who was himself supporter of
MIR. Polk. and who Therefore would not do
hun injustice.
The letter says:
@'As anticipated. the Bill appropria.ing
$500, 900 for the Relief of the starving poor
of Ireland, has been allowed TO die natural
death, contrary, would venture to say, to the
expectations and wishes of three fourths Of
the people Of this country. Itpassed the Sen
ate BY very respectable majority, some Of
the mos, distinguished members Of that body
voting in its favor, and thereby sanc,ioning
the constitutionality Of the measure. Web
ster, Clayton and Criuenden, three Of the
ablest constitutional lawyers in the country,
thought that there was nothing in the consti.
tuition TO prevent the consummation Of so
charitable and praiseworthy an object But
the wiseacres oil the House thought different
y, and acted accordingly. Heaven grant
that the time may never arrive, when that sa-
cred instrument shall be put TO the like lest
for the starving poor of our own blessed land!
But there was another consideration which,
although secondary made us wish TO see this
Bill passed by Congress. We should like TO
have seen il killed by the Presidential Veto,
as i, undoubtedly would have been if it had
ever had come into the hands Of Mr.. Polk.
The very day the bill passed the Senate, the
organ OF the Executive came out IN a milk
and waterish article, in which were shadow
ed forth the views Of the President, intimat-
ing pretty plainly that this act Of mercy would
share The same fate, as that which met that
other ACT of jusiire-"The French Spoliaton
Bill" This would have made his public
liberality exactly in keeping with his private
benevolence. And BY the by, let me tell you
how the extraordinary donation of $50 was
squeezed out of his private purse. Two OF the
Collection Committee called on his excellency
several successive days. On the first two or
three days, he could not be seen, and the sa-
bic door,keeper was particular emphatic about
the inyisibility Of his s." when that 'syeL
o,r-kirered" book made its appearance
Thus il continued until all hopes of an inter
view was given up. But the two collectors
were not 10 be ouidone. They were deter
mined to have the refusal OF the Proprietor OF
the White Houss. and IN order 70 accomplish