Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-07-09
The Irish and Democracy,

Those Irish citizens who are Of Irish
birth-We do not count the 0ranSemen
who ought never to have been born in
Ireland, nor anywhere else-the gre I
mass Of Irish iTmigra tion--have genera :
" attached themselves with singular
unanimity 10 the Democratic party in
American politics, Not only b cause the
principles of that party are the most
just, the most opposed to monopoly, ex-
clusiou and restriction in general, but,
also, and especially, because Democracy
has over been the bulwark, the rock and
strong tower in which alone they could
rust for protection against the narrow
and un American spirit of Native Amori-
canism. When Know Nothingism arises
in any of its forms, 1t naturally seeks its
adherents among the relics of the Whig
aud Federalist parties, and in the odern
and powerful faction of Black Republi
canism Thus not only by natural affini.
ties { for the Irish are an essentially dem
cratic people, as pure Celtic races always
were), not only by instinct and sympathy
but in self-defence and from self-respect
Irish citizens have with great uniformity
taken their stand in the rank Of the DEM
ocratic party.
II is enough for them that this is the
party which champions right against
power; the right OF independent commu-
mites against contradictions the right
of individual citizens against rip.
tion the rights of America against the
whole world. There has been no need to
bribe them with promises Of place and
pluHdcr; therefore they have not been
bribed. No need to blarney them with
6ne compliments and an affectation Of
generous interest in thcir cause; there
fore there has not been much Of this sort
of blarhey bestowed upon them.
On the whole, we will venture 10 say
land not without some pride) that no
large class of citizens in this country
have ever given themselves up with a
devotion SO disinterestel to the support of
any party.
We have not been famous in this Irish
Citizen for our indisorimtnate praises of
that same Democratic party--for which
reason, perhaps, our good word may be
more valuable. We can not endure the
name of another party and if we do
sometimes quarrel with ii, we do so be-
cause it is not Democratic enough. If we
condemn its practice, il is because the
prOctice falls so far short of the princi PIE.
But every day brings some additional
reason to bind us more closely to the DEM
Ocracy, as against all other parties.
A grand struggle is now approaching;
and is almost upon us. The issue will
determine whether the United States are
to be governed inside the Consti tuition, or
as Mr. Thaddeus Stevens says, outside Of
it--in other words whether we are TO be
ruled by the law or against the law.
No doubt, means will be used, and arc
now used, to delule the Irish American
citizens into the ranks Of the Radicals.
As an antidote, we print to day the earn
est address of Richard 0'GOrman, who Sc
counsels are usually listened to with res
pect by lis own cauntrymen. We believe
he does not in any way exaggerate the
perils Of the hour.
Il will be a glorious record for our
countrymen, If by their unanimous action
at the coming elections, they destroy the
Puritan domination, and thereby at one
stroke restore the Union Of the States AMI
the civil rights Of our fellow-citizens
North and South, They can do this good
deed. Ciizen.