The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-08
Progressionists and Obstructionists.
WASHINGTON, D. c., January Is, 1868.


Republic may not be unwelcome to yourselves to
readers especially at this time when questions Of the deepest
interest Ishmen and of close relation the Irsh
question: it stands to-day, occupying much of the
attention of the national legislature. 1t is amusing it
must be gratifying both the political parties emuous
in the interest they manifest in these matters of particular
importance the Irish element in this country. refer
especially to the question of the vindcaon and defense of
American citizenship abroad in the persons particularly
of IrishAmerican imprisoned and executed by Eng
land Perhaps word from your correspondent may throw
light this anxious rivalry behalf In allusion to
the two great political parties, will call them the Con-
gressonal party and the "Andrew Johnson party thinking
these titles will better describe their distinction todayhold
ing In mind the records and animus of both Congress and
Johnson-than the Democratic" and "Republican
which synonymous. Perhaps "Progressionists and
"Obstructionists" would be still descriptive
johnson and Seward you will remember, Messrs Ed
tors by their tac of the Fenian movement
before the demonstration Canada-or the purpose of get
ting into its confidence forearm themselves Illustrate it,
developing we'll the Judas that they played usthen by
their "procamaton" against certain evil disposed per-
sons in june 1885, and by the insulting treatment suffered
by of best the hands of than of
their satraps, all animated by the Conservative
disposition to the peace and integrity of their
cousins thus earned the execration and
vengeance of the Irish people everywhere On the other
lower
in the passage of General Banks bill repeal the neutrality
laws and his splendid speech in support of (which
the noble and ables expression uttered in foreign
Legislature in defense of the Irish and in assertion
its commanded the confidence and support of all
patriotic Iishmen. That gave the election to the "Con
gressonal party in New York State in 1866. The john
sonians became frightened this result They had assumed
in absolute confidence that Irshman could ballot
which did not sport the Democratic" title embazoned
its headarchng in graceful aboue $50 typcaD the
harp of Ernas John Cochrane used say in good old
Democratic times" seven though the devil ncarnate should
head the ticket From that time to this and especially
they have discovered that Irish Republican journal could hue
and prosper IN this country Mr. johnson, his coneres and
poteg have been endeavong to retrieve their "mistak
automatically speakingas of it is all matter of
diplomacy with them-and try to anticipate General Banks
report chairman of the House Committee Foreign
Affairs They chafed to think that the Radical Con-
gress must get the credit of anything done in this NATTER
and striving hard present the appearance of pressing
it, the shrewdness of the demagogue telling them that many
of the ignorant will be deceived thereby Johnson pracced
the game in his message to Congress- calling upon that
body to pass decaraory act empowering him to take
action in defense of American adopted citizens abroad But
who thinks for that Andrew Johnson any other
true American in executive robes would ask for authority
before the world and in face of the world that the
between the United States and the adopted citizen
OF allegiance and roecon each OF which grows out OF the
othershould be maintained in good faith by the Govern
ment? Why John Mitchell, in conjunction with four
other leading Democrats of New York city, commit
tee of the Knights of St. Patrick signs of resolutions
published in this weeks New York papers, behalf of the
valiant Knights" affirming in ceare terms, that there
need of any fresh legislation declaration the part
of Congress- the naturalization law existing being quite
sufficient settle the law of the United Staes and that
the obligation of the Government "is now complete without
any law" But within few weeks Congress will not
leave the President this lame excuse to appear to stand
1t is this effort to up his cowardlce his thlefs
of stop hef Congress- which explains the emulous
industry with which the opposition essay rival the majority
in Congress on this question Senator CONFESS of California
has pressed the matter in the Senate and forced promise
from Sumner chairman of the Committee On Foreign Affairs
in that body that i receive prompt attention Con-