New-York tribune., 1868-06-15
POLITICAL.
ADDRESS OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN CAM
PAIGN CLUB.

nroper that we who have originated it should state
70 our countrymen the reason why we have taken
.pcb n step and give them PLAIN and simple state
mont of the grounds upon which we appeal to them
10 unite with US in supporting the Union Republican
party in the coming Presidential election rather than
the cete and worthless organization, which, in these
latter days flagrantly misappropriates the once
glorious name of Democracy Our object, in a
word is to call the attention of Irishmen to the gross
imposition that is practiced on them by those who
tell them that in supporting the Democratic party
they are best showing their devotion to the prln-
cples of Constitutional liberty, and best serving the
interests of their and nation 1t is to point OUT
the faacy of this idea TO contrast as nearly as may
be the principles of the two parties RepuDhcan ana
Democratic and not alone their professed principles
but what are still surer test of their merits, the
acts of each of these parties To destroy If possible
that absurd and senseless prejudice which causes so
many thousands Of our cOuntTymen to array them
selves in this country against those very principles
Of equal rights and equal justice to all men for winch
in their own land they are such Jealous advocates.
10 show them that by allowing themselves to be
bndly led TO the polls in the interest of the reac-
Zionist and the oppressor they deprive Ireland of the
active sympathy and aid hundreds Of thousands OF
enlightened and genoTous-hearted Americans, and
cause their own efforts in behalf of her liberation to
be regarded with suspicion and disrust by intelli-
gent men everywhere it is finally to point out to
them the gross, yea, criminal inconsistency OF which
they have been guilty, when at the same time that
they were moving heaven and earth to secure
political freedom to their race they were voting
year after year to riyet firmly the chains which
bound the limbs of 100000 of their fellow beings.
and by still continuing to act with the party
which, now that these 100000 have, in spite of
its utmost efforts to the contrary been disenthraed
would still exclude them from all those political
rights without which their freedom would be but
hollow mOckery. We approach our task with no
slight impression of its magnitude, and yet, when
we reflect on the strong basis of Right and Truth
our cause rests upon, and relying also on the
generous and libertylOving disposition which is in
herent in every true of our race and which ever
causes him to lean toward the side of the weak and
down-trodden, when we reflect these things, we
feel in q strengthened for the work that
lies before
In making this appeal to you, design not blind
and subservent adherence to every local dogma that
is enupciated by the Republicans nor an indis-
criminate abuse of all those who happen to differ
with us in opinion but to set forth with calmuess
and decency and, to the best of our ability, with
frankness and candor, the great underlying funda-
mental principles of each OF the two parties-the
effect of the practical application of those principles
and to gather from such comparison the true duty
not only as regards their duty in the character of
American citizens but also in regard to what their
best course is as lovers of their native land, who
while scrupulousy fulfilling their duties citizens of
the United States would still be willing to shape
their political course as to lend helping hand to
the men, Who far away on the other side of the At
lantc, are riskng everything for the liberation of
our motherland.
Indeed it is mainly in relation to their effect upon
the cause of Ireland that shall discuss the bear
ings of American politics. All we ask from you is
fair and patient hearing of what have to urge,
and an impartial verdict the merits of the contro
versy.
We have, then, on ono side the Republican party.
or as its enemies love TO call it, the Radical party,
which comprises in its ranks the great mass of in
tellect and vigor of the land. Young loyal, and
vigorous its motto is Onward" and it is to-day the
embodiment of whatever of advanced liberalism
there is in the country.
On the other side there is the Democratic or its
followers love to style it, the Conservative party
heterogeneous collection of the odds and ends of all
parties from the open unrecOnstructed rebel Of the
South to the trimmer whose political convictions
consist in an answering belief in the nfalbility of
Andrew johnson and unfailing promptness in
drawing his salary as q federal Ofice-hOlder
The Republican party called into existence by
IN, shameful measure known the Repeal of the
Iitories of the Uniteo States were thrown open to
Slavery and that baeful institution seemed about to
spread It's blighting influence over every portion of
this fair land 1t to resist the spread Of this for
midebe enemy to free labor that the Republican
party was organized and when the Shareholders of
the South made their insane attempt to break up the
Union another object added to its mission that
was the extirpatiOn of Slavery and the restoration
of the Union on the basis of equal political rights TO
all men.
BY its instrumentality. the struggle carried on
through four weary years of unprecedented warfare,
and finally brought to successful Issue. Every
measure proposed for rendering the war more
effective for supplying the soldiers and sailors in the
field every provision made for the support of those
who had been disabled in the service of the country
and for the widows and orphans of those who had
fallen. emanated directly from the Republicans, and
each one of those measures met with the most bitter
oppostion from the Democratic representatives in
Congress and the Democratic press throughout the
land 1t was the Republican party that supported
Abraham Lincoln in his great measure OF Emancpa-
tion, by which 100000 slaves were raised from
the condition of mere chattels to the status of poti
cal manhood
Whatever of credit attaches to the successful car
rying on of tke war; and the bottng out of Slavery
as a consequence peculiarly belongs TO the Republi
can party On this point alone it might safely rest
fits claim to the support of the loyal men of the
try. For whoever considers the suppression of the
Rebellion and the extinction of Slavery, not only
great blessings TO this country but also great steps
taken to further the cause of liberty the world over
cannot be other than Republican. The support of
such as consider those two events calamities is
neither desirable nor is it sought for.
But it is said that this Is Radical party that would
destroythe Constitution and in fact abolish all those