The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-11-25

The following is the letter of Col. John
Atkinson. denouncing bourbonisin, as pub
lished recently in the Erenisg Ne,rs, to
which we referred in our issue of Nov. 18th;
desire through the News to address my
self to the Irish-American citizens of Detroit
upon the present political situation. | do
so. feeling that however they may differ with
me, they will receive what l may say kindly.
1t is of the first importance to US that we
merit the good opinions of the American
people
Our hopes are all conferred here.
To merit'that good opinion We should be
faithful citizens, ready to live or die for the
peace. prosperity and glory of the republic.
II we have made mistakes in the past We
should correct them in the future. | believe
our people have made serious mistakes in
the part they have taken in American affairs,
and anu ready TO do my part to correct
them
Educated as democrat. | have III the
past differed with democratic leaders with
great distrust il my own Judgment But no
man is fit TO be an American citizen who
has not an opinion of his own and the cour-
age to express it.
Ia my Judgment the connection of the
Irish masses with the democratic party has
done them infinite mischief in the past, and
will if continued. be disastrous to them in
the future.
It placed them Oh the wrong sis,e OF the
slavery question, and i'll spite of their natural
love for liberty made them vote and act with
those Who favored human bondage and an
oppression darker and more outrageous than
even they had suffered.
1t married their record during the great
rebellion by making them III many cases adj
herenis of disloyal leaders and offset in some
degree the debt of gratitude which the re-
public owes them for their hest blood shed
upon its battletields.
1t has kept them wrong on the southern
question and made them favor domination
10y those who were disloyal az against those
II separates them to-day from the think
ing scholarship of America, and places them
in apparent antagonism TO her schools and
universities. in which they should feel and
do feel the deepest interest and the greatest
pride.
IF there ever was any reason for their ad-
t.:,..- ., 4l,o 1.,,,oorotic Marty tlera Is none
now. Il has 50 behaved itself that 1t cannot,
ii il would. ala them III any way III return
Tor their support. No matter what principle
q man holds dear he can do more 10 advance
il in tie republican ranks than outside Of
them. II q republic no sensible man should
place himself in perpetual antagonism TO the
majority OF his fellow citizens. If he exerts
any influence at all it must be through the
majority and the men who have the genius
and ability to control affairs.
There Is 10 great issue now before the
country. Our elections settle the fate of
men more than measures. On all questions
OF importance to Us as people the repubh-
cans. for whom we have done nothing. have
done more for Us than the democrats, for
whom we have done everything. To those
OF our counrymen who have united their
destinies with them they have been more
than generous They have placed the son
of an Irishman in the presidential chair.
ybey have made an Irishman born, chief
Justice of the state. and these are only con-
spicuous instances.
OF course men should not JOIN party
simply because it is the habit OF bestowing
Offices on personsin like situations. On the
other hand. they should not stay with a
party that ostracses them on account of
their peculiarities CT faith or origin. That
the democratic par5y does this, nationally
and locally. scarcely needs proof. A people
that has its O'Connors and OGormans
amonu the lawyers OF the land is without a
single representative in congress, except
those elected by republicans. In local poll
tics need only state the fact that our single
representative on the democratic ticket is
Singled out for special denunciation by the
party organs.
I admit that men should not, even under
ostracism forslke party whose principles
they believe in and Join one whose principles
they do not believe.
But the democratic party has ceased to
have auy principles. 1t has been on all
sides of all questions, and only in earnest
when clearly wrong. Who car say what its
principles are on finance, free trade. or any
Other important question!
As il well known, these views are not the
result of any sudden conversion. They arc
the growth of years and the result of con-
siderable earnest thought. and have been
frequently expressed to personal friends. II
il very unpleasant thing to leave party
In which one has labored- however yainly
and sever old ties and fellowships. feel
this particularly now when tne democratic
candidates are nearly all personal friends,
and men OF excellent character But it seerus
to me an imperative duty. ] desire to he
myself and to see my children In all things
IN