Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-11-20

HOW THE CASE STANDS,
A.. X.

HOW THE CASE STANDS,
TO THE EDITOR or tue ~NATIoN.-DEAR SiR-On
of the most unpleasant duties of my life has beer
the task Of exposing to my countrymen the short
comings OF lrishmen in America, in relation t.
SLAYER. In that land, which, taking into consider
alton tho age we live in, and the high profession
of religion and Of liberty made by that people. i
the most dishonoring system of human bondag,
that ever existed on earth and which, in one fea
ture OF its criminality, exceeds in hldeousness oil
that has ever gone before it, in Pagan or Chris
tan times. l allude to the practice Of breeding
iuman beings fol market, which is deliberatel,
pursued, and with circumstance so revolving, st
} disgusting, and 50 indicate, that | dare not at
tempt to bring it under the notice of your read
ers in oil It's horrid details, which whould shocl
their feelings and be deemed Incredible by many
Yet such is the system which many Irish borr
men in America sustain. and sustain willingly
and in some cases glory in their shame. Better
far better it were for the honor of our country
that no lrisbman had ever become a resident o.
the United States of America; for there, instead
OF maniully-and in consistency with all their
home feelings and ancient recollection
sides with the oppressed. they have ranged them
selves under the black and bloody banner of thu
o2pressor. There are some--many | hope--noblt
exceptions to the general rule of conduct pursued
by lrishmen in America. Seven centuries ago
lrishmen declared Slavery to be a sin in the sigh,
of Heaven. and a foul crime against man, and
they nobly abolished it forever. During that long
interval of time which has since passed, Irish
men at home-to their everlasting honor be i
spoken--have had their hands clean of that fou'
stain. Some Of them have gone abroad, and have
forgotten to be either generous or just. They joir
the oppressors of the colored man, and they riva
the stakeholder in his contempt of beings whc
ought to share all their pity and all their sympa
thy, for they were oppressed in their native land
they sought for more freedom elsewhere, and, lik,
the Slave entrusted with a brief authority, they
have become themselves cruel task.masters.
You have. my dear sir, in your earnestness tc
save Irishmen from reproach, endeavored to fnC
an excuse for their conduct; but your own sens,
of justice, Of truth, and of honorable consistency
has caused you to fail in generating them from
their crimes against humanity, and their wrong tt
Ireland, because Of the i'll name they hav,
o'OuSht Oh thO ahu u Jul DlTlu, DY IlelT u6
sertion from the ranks Of freedom in the countr,
of their adoption. If l needed any proof or evi
dence in sustainmens of the charge, which, 70,
truly say, | have often made against Irishmen il
America, | should find it in your article, in TIL
Nation of 9th instant. You admit that they join
the democratic party and that is virtually al
admission of all l have ever stated on this pain
full subject for it is not denied that that part,
are the open supporters Of slavery. All their in
fuence is thrown, not alone for its sustainmen
where it exists, but for its extensions to othe
States. This party are the well known despiser
and haters of the colered race. | do not hence in
fer that the Republican party stand in any yer,
superior position in this respect. Unfortunately
there are too few in America who deal equal Jus
tice to their colored brethren.
l have nothing to do with the feelings of politi
cal parties in America. My object is, to say,
~lrisbmen from pollution. l fear that is a hopeless
task as regards the majority of them who 90 Il
reside in America, for there they are surroundet
with such bad influences as make it ali but impos
sible that they should maintain their integrity
They go out there to make a living if they b.
honest, h%igh-minded men. and true lovers of lib
erty, the difficulties Of their position in that Ian,
will be greatly increased, as they will find near
ly all the white persons they come in contact will
much prejudiced against the colored race, wheth
er they be free, or in bondage. | know the diff
%culties they must encounter, but surely tbes,
cannot be offered as excuses for such derelietion
from principle as most of them stand justly charg
ed with. But at home. let US strive to instil lat
the hearts Of our people, a manly uprightness o
character ; e true and honest love of liberty an,
such virtueus convictions of duty, as may caus
them to feel 10 their inmost souls a detestation O
slavery. and a determination to give it no sounte
nance OF support.
In truth. ifishmen ought not to 60 to the Unite,
States they can have no freedom there. 1t i
true, they may get lands and living there man,
Of them DO but many others have az hard
struggle there. to gain a livelihood, as they had a
home, and all have to encounter that blightin,
pro slavery sentiment which has succeeded 60 ter
ribiy with Numbers of them, ia destroying al
troe love OF liberty in their souls. and has mad,
too many OF them the ready abettors Of slavery
and all its e~normities.
am glad you have taken up this question /; and
although you and I handle it differently, vet, a,
you make i. equally apparent. that at home il
this dear old land Of oars. We hate slavery with a
cordial hatred. come blush may be brought to the
cheeks Of Irisbmen 10 America, who have brought
shame on fstherland. by thor unfaithfulness C
principle. Doubtless, some arc found true, and