Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-02
AN iRIsHMANs ADVICE TO mrs ccuNrRYMKs.

AN fkisdhAS'S ADVICE TO ms C~oUNrRYMEN.
Patrick Lynch, Esq, editor OF the Irish American, ad.
dresses . letter OF advice to Naturaii.sd
Citizens" in relation to their conduct and bearing in tho
approach ing elections. He says:
Now, fenow-countrymen, from my seven years' cxpe-
rienee in this country, and especially In this city. (Nsw
York; 1 am called GU to cay that some misguided parties
among you do act improperly, riotously aud turbulcntly
by making parties, factions, knots, cabsis, coteries, about
the polling places and ballot boxes. And ! tell you It
must go TO the heart of q sober, quiet, and respectable
American, or German, or Freuchman. or Irishman, to 6ud
. parcel OF elauorous, riotous. noisy, Intoxicated rowdies
actually blocking up tho way, and preventing the free
aud hooest and quiet use of the noblest earthly gft Of
things, and, as far as | could judge, I was obliged to
admit and conclude that these turbulent party and faction
men were, in many Instances, lrishmen born.
Let me add, that TO the quiet, order-loving, and res
~pectable, and educated Americans scenes OF this kind
must be very disgusting, aud must plant in tho minds of
men, otherwise friendly and sympathetic, a feeling of aver
sion TO our name and race not easily eradicated. l am
aware that Americans and Irish politicians form an uuholy
compact to win IA party battle and carry a particular 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 hsrd-worked and faded lsborers to resis, the ,empta-
tons thrown in their way. Aud l am FREQ to admit that
between the protested politician and his dups the profit
gate balance inclines heavily against the former. But, tel
low countrymen-my poorest aud humblest fellow country.
men-you will always suffer, you will invariably stop the
bullet or feel the stab Of the Infatuated and disappointed
enemy. The really guilty party WILDE sure TO be at a safe
distance from riot aud %bloodshed, smoking his cigar aud
slipping his brandy and water while you will be spiling
your own and Others blood for a wretched bride, aud with.
out the shadow of q virtuous o. noble cause to engage
your attention and support. Y
l perceive by the daily and weekly press that the poll
ticisns are calculating already on the 'Gstholic Vo,e."-
This cruel add criminal perversion of the franchise Into
shs, the party gamblers term tho "Catholic" and "Trish"
vote Is about the foremost and most pregnant cause OF
the enHity and dread sad di gust entertained las ainst YOU
by the Native Americans.
Catholic L ish votei
Why, YOU have no more right to vote IS 8 Catholic or
freshman in the choice Of American h~.makers, whether
federal, state, municipal or judicial, than you have to
plunder your ueishoors prope ". American Interests
'hould guide you. The honor aud gi6ry aud 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 O. your frauchise. The Constitution knows
no State religion, ackno ~ledses no sectsri.u interference,
in governmental affairs cuts of clearly and totally all and
every connection between the ruling power and any and
every Church, and leaves conscience free and ~untrammsied
in the exercise Of social aud political rights.
By and through the Constitution the voting privilege
ia extended to you; aud by pervertiug that privilege ~
any personal or religious purposeyou not only violate YOUR
oath OF citizenship, but you give a valid excuse TO your
prosecutors TO advocate the reenactmsut OF the alien aud
sedition law, and thus deprive you OF the privilege, advau.
tage, aud honor OF forming a component part Of the great
American Union. And let me add that those who appear
TO aud traffic on your religious sympathies aud convic>
tions, and who constantly refer in their writing, and
speeches 10 your position and influence as Catholic in
terests in account in exercising your right to approach
the ballot box, are your bitterest aud most malignant en-
emIes, and before God, they have a serious responsibility in
in thus misleading you, which they, in the latter end.
will find it difficult to satisfy and discharge.