The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-04
"En9land's DImculty' and Our Gernian and
Irish Political Elements.


nifty" This is the predominating idea among
all Irishmen the wide world over. Hence,
with unanimity in this Franco Prussian war
which would otherwise be inexplicable, we
find the Irish element in every quarter Of the
globe, as, by sort Of spontaneous cOmbus-
ton, firing up for France. Irishmen every
where are seized with some idea that the pre-
sent difficulty of England in reference to the
Continental war will almost certainly bring
about "Irelands opportunity" The imposing
popular demonstrations which have already
taken place in Dublin and other cities in Ire
land in behalf of France have been the express
sion Of the universal sympathy of the Irish
race in America.
The French sympathy demonstration of the
Goth ult. in Dublin was very remarkable
il; il was public surprise party, and yet
there was gathering Of many thou
sands of men and some thirty bands
of music in the procession as il set
tied round the residence Of the French
Consul There was small riot, too, when the
procession new flag blending the national
colors of Ireland and France. Doubtless. too,
with any encouragement from the leaders Of
this sympathy meeting, serious consequences
to life and property would have followed; but as
il appears after the general gathering was scat
tered by the police some hundreds of the
populace rallied at Beresford place, where
they were addressed by Mr. p. J. Smythe,
and advised to '.retire in peace" and that ''his
exhorlation, soothing to their feelings, was
quickly obeyed." He had spoken their sent-
ments in favor of France and Ireland-for
France, the protector of the oppressed, and
Ireland, the Poland of the West He had said
that ''we remember 98, when the cry in
Wexford was, Kill Hessian for YOURSELF :"
and that 'Ireland repudiates the foul language
of the English press and that Ireland is a dis
tinct nations" and such was the soothing
exhortation which dispersed this remnant Of
the meeting without further proceedings of vio-
lence. Other detachments, especially the
lisions with the police but still this populous
outpourDg in Dublin, as an Irish manifesto
ton, is suggestive of nothing less than a
general rebellion in Ireland the moment Eng
land becomes actively involved in the difficulty
of Prussia with France
AS in a conflict between the Germanc and
Celtic races, the natural position of Ireland
and Irishmen in this war is on the side Of
France; as conflict between the Saxon
oppressor and the Celtic ally of Ireland, this
Of France; and az between Catholic France
and Protestant Prussia the Irish Catholic
would hold himself traitor to his faith to
side with the German Yet all other cOnsid-
erations with the overwhelming national party
of Irishmen, in Ireland and out Of Ireland,
are merged in the predominant idea of Selling
any and every occasion which looks to Ireand's
liberation AS against England, therefore,
the universal Irish sentiment OF the United
States in this war is In favor OF France, what
ever the disposition of Rome and of the Pope
by Napoleon.
The political influence. then, of our Irish
Americans, considering their power in the
democratic party, will, most likely, if this
European war goes on even month or two
longer, determine the democratic party itself
active newspaper organs have already taken
this side in the contest, and doubtless,
in view Of holding intact the important
Irish element of the party. But what
of the Germans and the German
democrats? This question suggests a serious
democratic difficulty; for, to go no further, the
German democrats of this city probably hold
the balance of power, III city and State, as
between the democratic and republican parties.
Surprising then, that England is drawn into
this Continental war; will not the immediate
effect here be such a pressure from the Irish
democrats as to compel the democratic party
to speak out for France and against the
administration as sympathzing with Prussia
and England? We think that such may be
the effect of 'Englands difficulty" and Ire
lands opportunity What, them Why then
our German democrats, en- mGsse, viii range
themselves on the side of the republican party
and the administration. Even now there are
signs which cannot be mistaken OF this politi-
cal separation between our Irish and German
born citizens and with Sigel as the republican
candidate for Governor this fall and as the
representative of ''Fatherland' against the
BOnapartes who can doubt what will be the
vote of every German voter in the State?
Every man of them will vote for Sige!.
This thing may come to pass. General
Grants administration stands already accused
Of deliberately and for political effect sympa-
thizing with Prussia and the Germans. The
republican party leans to the side Of Prussia
as plainly as we see the democracy inclining
to France. The republicans have much to
hold and something 70 gain from their sympa-