The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-30
THE IRISH In AMERICA.

real friends of Ireland, and by so much must
have great influence in the solution of
problem that has vexed and continues to vex
the worlds politics. In size it was imposing,
and by remarkably good luck the various
discordant elements were harmonized into
something like unanimity of purpose. 1t is
as difficult matter to handle Irish Ameri-
can impracticables as to restrain over-zealous
Irish invincibles. But this was done in
measure at Philadelphia, and the result is
encouraging to those who hope for Irish au-
tonomy. Yet there were features of the
meeting that revealed inherent weakness.
The actors i'll it well-nigh forgot that, by
adoption at least, they were Americans. AS
Irish-Americans it is theirs to sympathze
and to tender words of encouragement.
But beyond that they cannot 60 An Irish
army" cannot have its right wing on Amer
lean soil, except at the price of declaration
of war against England by America. This
is not contemplated by Americans, and the
Instantaneous are not numerically strong
Irishmen in America of Father Conaty are
phantasm. The latest census shows but
little more than 1900, 900 Irish in America,
so that his estimate is more than 100000
out OF the way of the truth. 1t doesn't pay
to deceive ones self. The situation must be
viewed as it is. If the cause of Irish ma
tional independence is a forlorn hope it
should be recognized as such and accepted,
and efforts directed to what may be attainable.
1t is folly to regard the undertaking of
Irish nationality other than a des-
perate one. The almost irresistible logic
of heavy artillery is on the side of England,
and it is this that has made her wrongs against
Ireland possible For seven centuries no
Irishman at home has slept beyond the range
so to-day. Every highway and byway in
Ireland is patrolled by the constabulary.
Every harbor is shackled by British for
tresses and its waters float British men-of-
war. The guns all point landward as we'll as
seaward. To assume the burden of contend
ing against all these elements of strength
may be heroic or foolish, according to the man
ner in which it is done. While it is beyond
question that American sympathy is strong
ly enlisted in behalf of the wronged people
of Ireland and while the heaviest condemna-
ton is felt and expressed for the cruelties
and mi Justice practiced by the English gov
eminent, it is impossible that America
should actively interfere in the way of war
We cannot be the self-invited arbiter of nations
without assuming the attendant responibili-
ties
But it is to be rejoiced that the elements
harmonized so we'll at Philadelphia, and that
the issue was so conservative. The dynamite
branch. the self-constituted judges whose
edicts are manifested in assassination and
outrage, were given to understand
that there was no active SYM
pathy for them or their methods. This is a
step i'll the right direction. 1t relieves the
organization of the onus so long placed upon
it. But Irish-Americans should not forget
that by choice they have assumed allegiance
to the United States. In no sense are Irish
Americans 'exiles' except by choice. They
came to America because America offered
greater advantages than did any other
stars and stripes than under the
paw of the British lion. They find well
come here, and enter upon our citizenship
on perfect equality with American born
citizens, except that they cannot become
President of the Republic. All other offices,
all other rights and privileges are fully and
unreseryedly theirs. For Irish citizens of
America to talk of being "exies" is to talk
worse shan foolishrcss. They dishonor the
country that honors them, and only drive off
valuable and sympathetic friendship. Core
spending to these benefits there are duties
that cannot be ignored. 1t is just as much
the duty of the man from Galway or Skib-
bereen to maintain the dignity and peace of
America as it is of the man from the Rhine,
from Christansand, or from Warsaw. As
Americans we have as much right to inter-
fere in behalf of Poland as of Ire
land, and it would be as reason
able for Polish-Americans to en-
deavor to align the American republic |
against Russia as for Irish Americans to ar
ray it against Great Britain. Still those en-
listed in the movement looking to a reform of |
the abuses practiced upon Ireland have reason
to be encouraged. The comparative modera-
ton evinced at Philadelphia is an earnest of |
growing feeling in favor of honorable |
methods in preference to the practices which |
have so long been perpetrated to the meal |