The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-28
The Sgisms sotian and the Irish as .
Class,

S~'s"s IA sh'o nsVi Why tsSuor "hch ottcmPS
ing to reply to the letter Of Mr.. MURPHY,
Representative from sister county. Had
the editor confined himself to Dakota
county. the present writer would have let
him pass unnoticed as her people and Re
representatives. are well qualified to resent at
tacks from such quarter.
When he ventures, however, to an indis-
crimipate onslaught ON American citizens
Of Irish birth, and assais the good name Of
his fellowetizens here in our own fair city,
accusing them OF rioting at elections, and
of committing frauds on the pur ty OF the
ballot-box, he appears TO forget that q
number Of lawless men, Of his own party
" native and TO the manner BORN some Of
them connected with, and pecuniarily inte-
rested in the party organ, armed with re-
yolvcrs aud budgeons did by force prevent
many worthy citizens, of both native and
foreign birth from exercising their undoubt-
ed right at the ballot-box, at the last Octo-
Der election, especially at the Second Ward
polls. Does he not know that intelligent
men, even in his own party have condemned
the course then pursued, and that instead Of
aid and comfort towards attaining the dig
nifty of State Printers, the rcke,ty concern
has lost business in consequence, which has
gone to the not less Republican but more
espectably-conducted sheet across the
street
Are the people OF Saint Paul expected
TO believe his nsinuation, that there is no
disposition to object to any class of foreign
citizens, only the mere Irish p And this
after the continuous attacks, the scurrilous
denunciations Of said fostering editor
against all and every class of honest citizens
who had the maniness to oppose and frus-
trate the trickery by which the big " boss /"
OF their house was attempted to be foisted
upon the people of Minnesota.
The unsupported assertion Of this man,
that the people of Burnsville Precinct
Loisted black flag in drunken ferocity,"
goes for Eaught against the records of Bal
timore, New Orleans, Louisville, Cincinnati,
and numerous other instances. where infu-
rated nobs, under the names OF Plug Ug-
lies, Know Nothings, &c, wreaked their
wicked prejudces, bigotry and intolerance
on those who differed from them at the bal
lot-box because, forsooth, they had been
born not alone in the " Gem Of the Sea, ="
but amid the sunny vines Of France, along
the banks of the Rhine and the Scheld,, and
the colder regions OF the Baltic.
II may be that this editor is not acquaint-
cd with the history Of either his native or
adopted country. las | am informed he is
himself ioregn-born) perusal and study
of the eventfu changes in our country since
the days Of &c would teach him to at least
treat his feow-citizens Of Irish birth as
equals If ho cannot subdue his prejudices
sufficiently to respect them The Father OF
his Country, the immortal WASHINGTON.
and some OF the greatest men that America
has produccd-men eminent for their genius,
their learning and sanciity. as well AZ their
cnnobled station. have borne abundant testi-
mony to the loyalty the services and worth
of lrish-born citizens in this glorious confed
GRAFTON. The historic page Of our common
country is our evidence. No truthful man
will gausay it, and at this late date il is
surely not necessary 10 recapitu,ate. II Is
safe TO say that their bones have " whlten-
ed every battlefield that their courage
has been tested shoulder to shoulder with
their American born brethren, aud that they
never proved recreant. And this man who
inslnuates that there were Irish dtserters in
the Mexican campaign. doJ, not make such
a chargc-he cannot adduce facts to sup
port him.
~ to the electric telegraph, he will no,
DENY that while Prot MoRsE was the inyen.
tor. q RIsiLY chained the lightning and
has done more than any other To- carry out
the practical operations OF the science. NJ
merous instances could be cited Of the pub
lie works and Improvements introduced by
Irish citizens; bnt it Is not my purpose to
draw iuyidou> distinctions. The crimes OF
iollios vi men viii have TO he answered at d
dread tribunal. oy their perpetrators, and
unfortunately. oar e0un,ry's annals are toc
jrui;!u. Of lgaT!a! crimes, crying TO HEAVIER
Tor Vengeance. for any man, even the most
intense nailycSt 10 venture the encounter
That the Irish are an impulsiye people
viii not oe denied. That there are number,
who have NJ, had the benefit OF education
whose passions have never been curbed, Is
equally true; but the same may be said o
thousands even in our own land IL common
schools, as well as OF other nations. for whose
people no such paliation can b. offered, a,
unc,asing persecution. OF centuries Of mis-
rule, Of violated treaties. penal laws, oonfs,
cation. prescription aud death And yet
to-day. with all their faultS (which thei, en-.
emies will DO; excuse they viii compart
favorabiy with any other people, whether ii
science literature. commerce. or the indus
trial arts.
The TRADE Of abuse al the close Of The
editor article, carrie> its own refutatiun
"Fayoritlsm TO Irish contractors. &c" Is
truly refreshing phrase when all are equal