Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-08-07

The Globe-Depaocrat saws:

Republican Estimate q Irish oteFsse
The Globe-Depiocrat says:
ave can think of but one natsve-born Irish
man sent to the United States senate fpf s.
flu / ternn-Mr. Conness. Of California; He
was elected by Republican Legislature in
lSt3"
What is here meant BY .1native-born
freshman" is matter only of con lecture
Whether native-born means born in
Ireland or in the United States of Inish-.
born parentage we can only guess,
Whatever supposition be adopted the,
above betrays a strange lack OF aces
quaintance with public life in this coun-
try. There are at this moment. serving
full terms in the United States Senate
Charles w. Jones. of Florida, born in
Ireland in 1884, and James G. Fair, OF
Nevada, born near Belfast, Ireland in
1881. General James Shields, lately
Senator from Missouri. served a full
term in the adjoining State OF Ilinois
from 1849 to 1855. If reference is made
to men who were born in this country
of 1rish-born parentage, the list of
those who served as Senators is almost
too long TO be quoted. The Jacksons,
the McDuffies, the McDougals. the Qiit4
mans, the Cassadys, the Kernans, and
the long list of brilliant names which
have adorned the annals of the country,
make the statement still more astenish
ing. 1t is hardly necessary to say that
every one of the men whose names are
quoted owed his elevation in political
life to the Democratic party Those
recognized by the Republican party
would, indeed, be found to be few and
far between.
But the Globe Democrat makes fur
Their frantic appeal to Irish voters, from
which we quote:
Yet still the Irish were Democrats. They
did not undertake to say why, but they voted
o ome In return. what have thew A received?
A few local honorS here and there. but
scarcely National recognition worthy oflthe
uame.
This sort of appeal can scarcely fail
OF beng offensive to self-respecting
Irishmen. Not since Mr.. Webster
Flanagan. of Texas, asked the Chi
cago National Conventions: What are
we here for?'' has the discussion of
public questions been put on lower
plane. The inference would seem to
vote was an Office for himself or his
friend. That he can act from motives
of duty to the public, and promptings
of intelligent and patriotic citizenship
appears to the Globe Democrat to be in
conceivable. Is it strange that a
party whose organs treat IRISH voters as
so many chattels to be bought with
offices and Government patronage finds
little favor among them and rare
" or never gets their votes?"
What have they received?'' is
asked. What that is valuable and
worthy their consideration do the body
of voters ever receive? Good govern
ment, and equitable and equal admins
tration of the laws. This is what they
have received wherever the Democratic
party has controlled legislation and ad-
ministration. What are the few offices
in comparison with the boon of civil and
religious freedom. and perfect protec-
ton of person and property? Nine
hundred and ninety-nine ont of every
thousand of the people, whether native
or foreign born, have no earthly con-
Germ in the offices except to see them
held by honest men and faithfully adj
ministered. 1t is an insult to the hon.
esty and an impu gnment of the common
sense OF any class of voters to appeal to
them for their votes with promise of
Offices and patronage. Many Irishmen
have served the country at the call of
the Democratic party, and very few at
the call of any other party; but they
have in no sense put themselves under
obligations involving the freedom of
their votes. The party has honored
itself in honoring the men, some of
whose names we have quoted at the be-
ginning of this article. Those men
achieved distinction as other Americans
of worth and ability have won recog-
milton. With them there has been
no buying with offices or selling out for
patronage. Considerations of the pub
lie good. modified by such regard for
self-interest as is universal in human
affairs. have been the basis of the mu-
tual trust of the Democratic party and
Irish voters. We hope such considers
tions will continue and be paramount.
1t will be an evil day for the country
when demagogues, selfish office-seekers.
and me- managers of either of the in
tiuential parties shall be able to trade
Offices and patronage for the votes of
any considerable portion of the people.
The Flanagan school of political NOR
alitv, which seems to command the en-
tire respect of the Gtobe-Denocrat. is
fortunately not recognized outside the
Republican party We trust there will
be found many in that party who will
refuse to receive its doctrine rs cor
| rect rule of ac.ion.--,A. Louis ReDU6-
Hcan. " F5t~ft