Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-09-05
An Irishman Advice TO his countrymen

1htrlCk lNnch, Esq., Cdltur al the IRISH Amen
can, addresses letter OF advice to "lrish Amer-
can Naturahled Citizens" in relation to their
conduct and bearing in the approaching elections.
lie SAYS
e" Now, fellow countrymen, from my seven
years experience IN this country, and especially
in this City. New York; am called ON to say,
that some misguided parties among you do act
improperly, rotonsly and turbulenty at cleo
lions. tell you they do. They act improperly
by making parties, factions knots CT balls, CO.
terics, about the polling places md ballot boxes.
And tell you IT must go to the hcnrt ofu sober.
quiet and respectable American, or German, or
frenchman or freshman, To lind parcel of clam
orous, riotous, noisy,intoXicaed rowdies actually
blocking up the way, and preventing the free and
honest and quiet of the noblest earthly gift of
man-the Elective Franchise. | repeat | have
seen these things, and, ms far rs could Judge |
was obliged To admit aud conclude, that these tur-
bnlent party and faction men were, in many in.
stances, lrshmen born.
Let me add, that to quiet order loving, aud
respectable, and educated Americans, scenes OF
this KIND must be very disgusting. and must
plant III the minds of men, otherwise friendly and
sympathetic, feeling Of aversion TO our name
and race not easily eradicntcd. am aware that
Americans and Irish politicians form an unholy
compact to win II party battle and carry partic-
uar point; and that taking into account the
money they advance, the promises of employment
and situations they hold out, the liquor "orders''
they shower about, il is hard for poor and hard
worked and iaded laborers To- resist the tornptn-
tons thrown in their way. And am free to ad-
mt hat,between the protcsscd politician and his
dupe, the protllgate balance ncines heavily
against the former But, fcllow-countrymen-
my poorest and humblost fellow eonntrymcn-
gou will always suffer, you will invariably stop
the bullet or feel the stab of the infuriutcd and
disappointed enemy. The really guilty party
Will be sure to be mt safe distance from riot and
boodshed, smoking his cignr and slipping his
brandy and water, whilo You will be spillng your
own and others blood for wrotchod bride aud
without the shadow of n yirtuous noble cause
TO engage your attention and support.
perceive by the daily and weekly press, that
the politicians are calculating already on the
"CAthohC Vote" This cruel and criminal per
version of the franchise into what the party
gamblers term the "Cutholic" and "lrish" vote i
aoout the foremost and most pregnant cause of
the enmity and dread aud disgust entertained
against you by the Native Americans
Catholic Irish vote!
Why, you have no more right to vote as II
Catholic or lrishman in the choice of American
law makers whether federal state, municipal or
judicial, than you have to plumber your neigh
boris property. American interest should guide
you. The honor and glory, anl prosperity of
the federal Republic, the interests of the state,
the purity and health of the social relations with
which you are associated and identified, should
alone guide you IN the exercise OF your franchise.
The Constitution knows no State religion, ack-
nowledges no sectaran interference in govern
mental affairs cuts off clearly and totally all and
every connection between the ruling power and
any and every Church, and leaves conscience
free and untrammelled III the exercise of social
and political rights.
BY and through the Constitution the voting
privilege is extended to you; and by peryerting
that privilege to any personal or religious purpose
You not only violate your oath Of citizenship but
you give a valid excuse to your prosecutors to
advocate the enactment OF the alien and sedi
ton law, and thus deprive you of the privilege,
advantage, and honor of forming "A component
part of the great American Union. And let me
add that those who appear to and traffic your
religious sympathies and convictions, and who
constantly refer in their writings and speeches To
your position and influence as Catholics and
solicit you TO take your Catholic interest in nc
count in exercising your right to approach the
ballot box, your bitterest and most malignant
enemies and before God, they have a serious
r9spon sbity in thus misleading you, which
they, in the latter end, will find it difficult To sat
isiy and discharge.