Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-05
THE IRISH VOTE.
What an Irishman Has to Say About it.

What an Irishman Has to Say About it.
Editor Of the Morning Ne1os: Permit
me to ask space in your columns to refute
the Islander breathed against my country
men in the present Presidential campaign.
1t would be source of mirth, if it were
not so annoying, to all intelligent Irish
men when they read in the dailies the
absurd statement of ''trade for the Irish
vote" Surely these maligners are gross
" ignorant of Irish character or they
would scarcely look upon them as lambs
to be enticed or driven to slaughter. In
response to the charge that the Irish vote
is controlled by John Kelly, | say unhesi-
tatingly that while from personal cOnsid-
eratiOns or accidental circum-
stances he may influence a
few, that influence with Irishmen
is extremely limited. He is the acknowl-
edged leader of the political organization
known as Tammany, but TammanY is not
Irish in character, feeling or motive. All
nationalities are therein represented
blended together to control the political
workings and offices of the city of New
York. With equal truth il might be as
| serted that Pat GilmOre's celebrated band
is Irish because its leader, like John Kel-
ly, claims the Emerald Isle as the place of
his birth; or that Eugene Kelly's bank is an
Irish organization, its President being an
Irishman. Look to every branch OF art and
science, to the legislative, judicial,
commercial, and mechanical departments
of this great country. Who more nobly il
Illustrates each than an Irishman; and
then say if such men can be bought and
sold. 1t may be asked why Irishmen fa-
vor the Democratic party? The reply is
ready: for the same reason that true
. 10 IL
not forget the Young American party or
the Know Nothing party, and regard the
present Republican organization as
the offspring of these unnatu-
raj and infamous parents. Had Mr..
Blaine and his cO-patriOts procured the
power Irishmen would have been denied
the ballot, and but for the gallant Stephens,
the chivalrOus Wise, and other noble
Democrats who came to the rescue, met
the issue squarely and fought the good
fight successfully, we would now be dis
franchised, and / assure you, Mr.. Edi-
tor, Irishmen will never forget it.
l allude to the great body of Irishmen.
IT'S true some few at the North vote the
Republican ticket. They differ, as is per-
fectly natural, on local political questions,
but are honest N sentiment and inten-
ton. Again, find the ridiculous charge
that we are controlled by our Bishops and
DrleSLSs Never was lu6tG Il greater
error. While the Irish Catholic loves and
reverences his clergyman, his church, and
its Offices, he suffers no dictation in other
than spiritual matters, and if Bishop
or priest, should so forget the sacred
calling as to attempt any political inter-
ference, he would receive a like rebuke
with the Holy Father, the Pope. See his
letter on the political status in Ireland.
We claim to be as intensely identified
on all that promotes the interest and well
fare of America as America itself, and
Justly feel irritated under the gratuitiOus
insult, that our dearest rights and privi-
leges can be bartered away with i'm
puuity.
also note as an inducement for our
vote that Blaine has a sister who has
taken the vows and wears the veil OF
nun. We honor the lady, but cannot,
with his past record, yield him any sup
port. Another writer is clamOrOus for
our SURFACES for Gen. Butler, claiming
him as the true friend of the laboring
class; but, sir, Irishmen would be false
to all the nobler instincts that can stir
mans heart if they should cast
vote for one whose uncalled
for shameful order when the fortunes of
war placed him in command at New Or
leans stamp him a cOwaTdly traducer of
the weaker sex, and will hand him to pos
terity with an ineffaceable stigma on his
brow, We are Democrats as a whole,
and when the polls are opened IN NOvem-
Der we will be found as ever in the front
rank shouting Hurrah! Hurrahl for our
President, Grover Cleveland.
AN FRESHMAN.