Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-10
This Irish-Americans Organizing For
Blaine and Logan.
Inter OceaI

An enthusiastic meeting of the Irish-
American citizens was held last even
ing at the Grand Pacific Hotel for the
purpose of forming Blaine and Logan
club. Alderman Dixon presided, and
in calling the meeting to order stated
that in addition to forming a club they
met to welcome back to Chicago the
Hon. A. l.. Morrison formerly President
of the Irish-American Club here, but
now a resident of New Mexico. Mr..
Morrison, on coming forward, was re-
ceived with loud applause. He said he
realized that the American people were
about to exercise a great privilege, the
selection of one of their number to pre-
side over the destiny of the country for
the next four years. It was a privilege
that some of the best blood of Europe
had been shed to obtain. The majority
of Irishmen on becoming citizens allied
themselves with the democratic party,
through the belief that they were favor
able to foreign-born citizens. Notwith-
standing this, he found that they were
openly above-board declaring that they
would vote for Baine and Logan. If
the Irish-Americans would look back
through the pages of American history
they would find reason for voting with
%
which was fought under a democratic
administration, a number of Irish
American soldiers were captured, and
when an exchange of prisoners occurred
the English Government declined to re-
turn any prisoner of Irish birth on the
ground that they were British subjects.
The democratic ADMINISTRATION sat with
tOiddd arms, and did not assert
the right due these soldiers. This was a
blotted page in American history, and
page that should be carefully read by
every Irishman.
Under a democratic administration
an Irishman could not have the rights
an privileges of an American citizen.
The Irish came here to become citizens
Of free country, because they had the
hatred of England Ill their hearts. The
treaty with England, which was effect
ed under republican administration,
made the land across the water under
stand that foreign born citizen Of the
United States would receive the same
protection as native born American.
When that treaty was perfected there
was giant at Washington-am man who
was the champion of this cause, and
this broad minded American citizen was
James g. Blaine. To-day he was on the
pathway 10 Tie ulOSU exalted position
on he face of the earth. 1t was James
@. Blame who inaugurated the move
ment to iberate Costello, who, on his
return to Ireland, was arrested and sem
fenced for uttering words in New York
hostile to the English government. The
Irish voters wanted no free trade, or
tariff for revenue only either. Since
it's inception the republican party had
been in favor of protecting American
industry. They were not afraid to turn
back to its history, every page of which
was punctuated and pointed with strug-
giles and contests for the good of the
American people. In conclusion he
went over the war record of John A.
Logan, which created no little enthusi-
asm. Brief addresses were then made
by James Leddy, W. S. Elliott, and
Miles Kehoe. On motion the chair ap-
pointed committee of eleven to perfect
plans for organization and report at the
Eext meeting. An adjournment was
then had subsequent to the call of the
chair,