American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-05-27
ESTABLISHED IN 1928
me irish Defsnded.

TO HE Editors Of The AinHes0iias:
I belong to class Of cisi9ens that have
been much abused. not only Ia your paper
bu, Ia many others pablIshed ID different
parts Of ihs Territory. Il Nas my fortune
10 be born an Isishman. or rather. have
grown up to be one. The Irish. main
tain, are born TO be the dominant race
wherever they fhsy 90. Il !, their destiny
to rule; to dictate to men and measures for,
lhe less Intelligent and the less fortIinste OF
our citizens to support. aud Il is this SUI
perioriiy that has caused the envious 70
abuse US. But foi one l am not disposed
- abuse this power, or to make tyranny
OF this destiny.
There are some good citiEens among as
less fortunate than We are; some Germans
and some French and Americans: and while
they see tit to take up their abode here, /
am 10 favor, for one, OF allowing them 10
take some part in our political. and espe-
cially in odr municipal afnirs, provided.
they will not try to take advantage Of our
generosity and thwart the measures We
propose, or strive to Wrest from as the
privileges Of governing this country, which,
we, Irishmen. have fought. bled and died
to establish, ma:utain and efe willing 10
do so again.
am wiling for one, and know some
others Of my eonntrymen who are wiling,
too, to allow Americans even, to hold some
Of the less responsible Offices. il We can he
convinced that they are capable Of dischsrg-
l,nO the dbties of tie eaTf,e. I hold that IN
American 10 rot accounts ls for his birth,
and il should not be considered, IN ifsef, q
disgrace to have been born on American
soil. /. for. one. hold that an American
is as good as an Irishmau. u be only be-
haves as vel, and conducts himself modest
iy and with prnpriety.
To be sure he does not have so full an
! appreciation OF liberty as we have, but un-
der our influence he will improve, 10 time,
and love freedom as we do. Now, | hold
tbe privilege Of voting to be one Of the
P dearest rights Of man. Voting once eVeng
is an advance upon monarcbal system Of
goveTunent, but many Americans do not
see, from the iuhneDce, perhaps, ofesrly
prejudices, that voting once 10 . great
privilege, voting twice OF three times Is
' privilege doubly or trebly dear TO true
repuhlicansl 4 sip from the fountain oi
. freedom cannot satisfy. but We love to
: drink deep drafts from the sacred fountains
as the poet Of yore did from the Preriau
springl
i The Germans. French. and Americans
are not endowed with. that innate love oi
perfect liberty: their minds are not yet ct
g eVated To- full understanding and appre-
! citation Of their rights. but we ought moi
! reproach or condemn them for that which
e Is their fault. Let US rs Irishmen 60 for
ward in our glorious career, hoping that
in tine. when they have been longer undei
q our influence aud control, they will learr
from us what true liberty is,, and initiate
g our example.
/ was led to make these remarks In view
g ofour ccming city election. Many of M
countrymen have rashly sworn not to sup
a port an American for any Office. This i
II wrong; for as I before remarked, the mer
fact OF being an American should not inca
paciate him fr m Office, and think. 7
er view Of the increasing number OF Ameri
cans who We have allowed to come an
i've among US. that some subordinate Of
ne gees should be conceded To them; provl
~ ded, always that the Irish shall MAINTAIN
due prepondereuce Of power. II is not
be denied that the democratic party be
no longs to us; but We have generously. ant
magnanimously placed upon our ticke
some men WHO are not Irishrnen; boPin
re al. - 1f0 ON OvvO