The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-09-01
An Impudent ana Insulting Asser.
lion.

A party by tho name of Bsllentine, who
was secretary of tho Democratic State Com
mittee of Ohio last year, and was recently
appointed by Governor Hoadly State oil
inspector, said the other day at Cleveland,
Ohio:
Gratis. There 10 no detection among thom OF
any consequence. They stick together closely,
and II n few fellows run on 10 the Republicans
the great mass OF IrishmeD, regarding aud
speaking OF them as traitors, ostraclze thom
socially, and they soon run back.
Commenting on the above, tho Irish World
Gays:
This Democratic orlceholder's assertions are
fair samples OF those which have been heard
far too often from mon OF his stamp. Tho pro.
sumption which prompted them 10 only
equaled by tho ineffable stupidity which
would believe them. The declaration that
among the Irish" shows tho party who ut.
tered IL 10 be OF the came kidney with tho
somewhat too famous individual who, at the
Chicago Democratic Convention, exclaimed In
the exuberarce OF his arrogance, "D-n the
Irish; We con do without them" II seemed
to him then as It does TO the oil inspector
now-that the Irish could not DO driven from
tho support OF Cleveland, even by the most
wanton insults. Both will arrive at a very DIFF.
ferent conclusion within very short time.
Both WILL II spared even for a brief while,
live 10 regret their luency OF speech aud fal.
lacy OF conclusion. The oily ex secretary
stigmatizes those Irishmen who refuse to vote
for the pro'Englieh candidate as "a few fel.
lows who run on to the Republicans" This
would seem to show TO his satisfaction, at
least, that his political party regarded the
Irish as its chattels, and that those Who acting
according to their own judgment, dare TO vote
against the nominee OF the mach,ne.ridden
convention, are to be regarded, as were for
merly slaves by tho masters from whom they
ned.
According to him We were altogether mis-.
taken In surprising that Irish-American cltl-
zens had, like all others, perfect right TO
| vote for whom they pleased. We arc not, how.
| ever, quite sure that we were mistaken. on
the contrary, We are becoming moro aud more
| convinced that our view was the correct ono,
| convinced moreover, that tho people he speaks
OF not only have the right to vote as they them
| selves choose, but that they will exercise that
| right at the coming election In manner 30
| enective that even the EXTREMIST arrogance or
idiocy VII never again dare to call 4 In ques
| est inducement which could be offered 70 mon
to "run on" from party, would be the pre-.
shenGe IN II Of ,p puppies who, oWing an taey
certain element, and forgetful alike OF past
| obligations and future prospects, dare to as
and to dictate It's course. The very fidelity Of
| the great body OF Irish Americans to the party
controlled by such creatures as the one We are
attending TO ia made the ground for offering
wanton and cowardIy Insult to ali who have
su1ilcient manhood to desplse Its yoke, when
principle, patriotism and duty require IL.
The contemptlbly false assertion that the
great mass OF Irishmen regard and speak OF
those OF their countrymen who dare 10 vote AS
they please as traitors, is one that ought 10 in
sure for Its author q speedy RELOCATION to his
Tonted and natural obscurity. The great mass
OF Irishmen are broad and liberalminded
enough 10 freely concede TO others all the
rights which they claim for themselves. Here.
toIore they have voted for tho nominees OF the
Democratic conventions. In the present CON
test they Will vote against them. But Tor
whomsoever they vote they Will always regard
and treat as an Infamous insult the attempt OF
apetiy and paltry demagogue to stismatize as
Iailols any portion, no matter now sun1il, OF
their countrymen. Even when very few Irish
men voted for n Republican candidate II was
found men who had proved their fidelity TO
the Republic upon the battlefield and to their
motherland In The dock ana the dungeon, and
no true man OF their race would impute to
them unworthy motives In tho course they
adopted. There are no traitors among the
Irish. That has been well proven In the past
The present will prove as clearly and indis-
putably that they are no slaves.