The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-28
1rishmen.

L.
Who is he that says the democratic
party Of the state Of Illinois, in state con-
Vention, grossly insulted all Irishmen and
every Irishman should resent it by refus-
ing to vote for any nominee Of that party z"
Why do you suppose he makes that kind
of appeal to you to totally and blindly iR-
more the democratic party2 Is he himself
an Irishman, who sympathizes by instinct.
by birth and education with the Irish race |
Has be even the poor apology of hav-
ing married into an Irish family, or OF
having identified himself in any manner |
whatever with the Irish, whom he urges as
q nationality and body to vote against the
democratic ticket, and to support a radical
black republican Methodist preacher for
congress2 And what is the great and ur-
gent reason which he gives why you should
do all this service in behalf of the preacher
and desert the democracy? Simply this,
because the state convention didn't spe-
sally compliment VIM. M. Springer for
voting TO make Gen. Shields doorke eper.
What did Gen. Shields say about the mat
ter2 No wonder the venerable and gallant
old democrat reproved his over-zealous
friends with no little indignation when he
said that he, who had been general Of the
United States army, governor of one
state and United States senator from two
states could hardly be expected, even in his
necessity and old age, to take the position
of mere doorkeeper in the lower house OF
congress. He knew very well why and for
what purpose Ben Butler the
republican partizan nominated him
for the position. He understood
right well it was done for political capital
and to iDjure the democratic party BY
placing them at that particular moment in
q position which would seem to be refusing
q soldier and a noble gentleman the boon
Of a small Office. That is all the ust
which the Organ seeks to make Of thu
fact ct this late day, at time long afte
the democracy have done far more ant
far better for Gen. Shields than humble
doorkeeper's Office would have been. VIII
single out the Irish nationality and urge
them in body TO resent what he attempt
to magnify into an insult to Irishmen
Why don't he appeal to all the German
in the country, all the Swedes, all foreign
ers to do the same. The very infereDc
80 plainly implied by the language used i
an insult to your intelligence and you
manhood. 1t implies that our Irish fel
low citizens above all others are 80 clan
nish, so greedy for distinction and recogDi
ton, so envious and resentful that the
can be led away from the party which ha
always befriended them by an appeal
passion and the prejudice of national sent
ment. With equal propriety and equs
force, if it only suited his purpose, b
might renew the old senseless and explode
doctrine Of know-nothiDgism that Amer
cans should rule America and all person
Of immediate foreign birth should be KEEP
in the background The people of thi
country don't recognize any nationality i
politics-we want no ireland, no Germany
no England in America. Our peopl
in their political relations are Americans
and it matters not in what country the
were born-that which concerns us
know are they faithful and true to the go1
eminent Of this country, devoted to Ii
principles upon it is founded, and read
and willing to defend tagainst its enemie
The democratic party does not appeal
men to vote its ticket because they al
Irishmen, or because they are German
neither does it make war upon ar
class of citizens on account of the
nationality or because as such rhey vo
with the opposition. 1t recognizes Il
right Of all citizens to vote according
the dictates Of their own Judgment. and
accordance with their own views of what
for the common good and the general we
fare of all.
The democratic party is not founded u,
on any special or particular religious tenet
nor upon sumptuary laws and class legisl
ton, nor does it ask whether man is q
Irishman by birth, German, FrencI
man, or whether his ancestors hay
been in this country 30 long
to have lost all distinctive foreir
characteristics and he knows only tn
country as his native land. The den
ocratic party believes in the great prime
pies Of civil and religious liberty, in re-
resentatiye form ofgovernment, in the stri
construction of delegated powers, in Il
largest liberty to the individual citiz,
consistent with the liberty. safety. al
well being Of the people as whole, and
embraces in its ranks all who subscribe
% these views and are willing to cooperate
maintain these vital and essential prin
pies Of human freedom. Il makes