Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-10-31
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
View OF an Irish. American on the Pos
emit Aspect OF Political Affairs in
Minnesota.

lance or anonymous 'iriSlliileh 10
crack the party whip over them while
slurring their race and creed. The
very source OF such advice is as des-
pic,,ble rs the creatures who are
ashamed to append their names 10
their political views expressed in its
columns and both are unworthy OF
notice. 1t Is admitted by all that tie
present incumbent, Coy. Hubbard,
is honest and capable, though All
American; yet the Democratic party
failing to secure the acceptance OF Il
man of equal probity, has placed on
its ticket the name Of A. BIerinan, u
Norwegian, in the hope of catciiing
Norwegian votes. Err. Bierman has
been encouraged 10 go among his
countrymen, Republicans, and secure
their votes. There is no attempt to
educate the Norwegians III the prlnci-
pies of Democracy, 10 viii them to
party by means of the correctness OF
those principles; but they are asked
to desert their party, which privilege
is not allowed the Irish, and vote fog a
comparatively unknown and untired
Norwegian for governor, against
we'll known and capable man who
happens to be a native American. BY
the hunt process and lying pamphlets
in the norwegian language, the preju-
dices of the race are preyed upon.
Now, it is just such political trickery
that begets and fosters know-ncthing-
ism, for which Mr.. Shelby has nat
ural horror. IF Bierman's nationality
| is his superior quaIificati' II for office,
then Hubbard's must be n disqualifi-
cation! If Bierman 10 to be preferred
for his nationality, then Hubbard
must be proscril q l.! This is Il issue
and the natural outcome. Now who
is responsible for this issue? The So
called Democrats who have pressed
Bierman's can idacy on it. If Hub
bard is defeated by an appeal to
| national prejudices, then Americans
may be expected to combine against
! nationalities guilty ofsuch un-Ameri-
can political profiigacy. II the Nor
| wegians are thoughtless enough to run
into the trap, they will be the sufferers
| but IrishAmericans, if they value
their own interests and self-respect,
will not be party to it. In advising
this course / may be accused of pros
cribing the Norwegian. Far from it.
| The industrious, sturdy Norwegian
voters of this state, to their credit be
| it said, have lost no opportunity to
secure their share Of representative
and administrative officers. In his
loyal zeal Mr.. Sheehy reoounts the
glories and virtues Of the Democratic
party, as if any one diputed them,
| from Jackson and Jefferson to the
year 1856, but he is lamentaby silent
as to its history since that time.
Would he have US to believe that its
leaders since that time We're the in
fallable successors of Jackson and
Jefferson, and consequently without
error? Surely not. 1t is this living
in the dead past that has made irish
men so impracticable and pQWerless
in POLITICAL affairs in Ireland and
America. We have been recounting
the glories of "Brien the Brave" and
the political virtues of Jackson and
Jefferson, and almost oblivious of the
men and measures of the hour. Mr..
Shelby know to be an ardent sup
porter of Parnell and his policy in
ireland, aud he will admi; If Rarnell
has accomplished anything, it is by
turning the attention of his country
men from the glory and gloom of the
past and teaching them vigorous in
dependent action in the present
While Irishmen in this country are
aiding him, they are catching inspira-
ton from his noble example. We, too,
have been wrapped up in the dead
past, and are without political inf1u-
ence. We must now grapple with
the living present, and it is only by
independent action and manly policy
dictated by the needs of the hour that
we can hope to command resnect and
exert an influence in the political af-
fairs of A meriea. Mr.. Sheehy would
have us believe that all hope and
friendship lies in the Democratic
party. l do not see it in that light.
Much if not all, depends On our ability
to utilize all the fnfees that are friend
ly, but by being slavishly dependent
to one party we receive what we merit
the kicks of one and the contempt
of the other. Our friends don't all be-
long to the Democratic party. During
Ireland's recent struggle Republican
introduced and a Republican legisla-
ture of Minnesota passed strong reso-
lutions of sympathy, and Republic
can governor cabled those words of
cheer to Parnell in the house of COM
mons. Similar resolutions were
tabled in Democratic New York, and
were passed in more Republican. than
Democratic States Of the Union: But
we are told the founders and leaders
of the Republican party were and are
unfriendly to the Irish. Yes, we have
been taught from the Democratic
stump that an abolltionist or Repub- |
lican had horns. But the light of |
modern events have opened our eyes.
Of the few prominent abolitionists yet |
living, who have given more time in |
private and public assisting The Irish
cause than Mendell Phillips, James
Redpath, and fNasby) Locke? I'm
der what obligations were they or any
Republicans to the Irish? None
whatever; but they loved liberty for
liberty sake, and if Abraham Lincoln
Horace Greeley and Charles Sumner
were living to-day they would be our
friends, How many prominent DEM
ocrats, without interest, has espoused
the cause of our suffering mother
land? Mr.. Bierman, in his accep-
lance letter, pledges his support to
Samuel J. Tilden. The Democratic
campaign biography of Tilden tells US
he keeps bust of Oliver Cromwell
on his study table as his beau-ideal
of statesman. Bierman, [ am in
formed by an Intelligent Norwegian
friend of his from his own city, be-
longs to the kings party, which is now
being impeached by the people for
trespassing on their constitutional |
rights, Tilden and Herman. Nice
models to hold up for the admiration
of the Irish in America! "A
But we are told the Democratic4
party is the only friend of civil and
religious liberty. A few years ago
legislature passed our
liberty of consciene bi i WHICH gnaran-
tees to inmates of our public institu-