The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-17
AN IRISHMAN'S REASON.
Why DR.. P. H. CrOnin Will Support Blaine
Against the DemOcracys Candidate.

A reporter met Dr. P. H. Cronin, of Chica-
go, at the Denison Hotel yesterday. The Doctor
is a man of education and a prominent Irish
American, who left the Democratic party upon
the nomination of Cleveland, and declared him
self for Blaine and Logan. He shows his faith
by his works, and since the opening Of the cam
paign has made number Of speeches for the
Republican national candidates, and is likely to
make several more.
Dr. Cronin said: IT have been lifelong
Democrat, and am proud of having a father who
in becoming a citizen of the United States, made
me- his infant son, sharer in the blessings of
freedom. Though but seven months old when
my people came to this country 1 have never
lost my love for the old land instilled into me by
rebel father and good Irish mother In
deed, when, in 1878. as commissioner to the
Paris Exposition, revisited Europe, my first
impulse was to see the land where, spite of hell
ish oppression, my race has held its own in their
island penitentary for seven centuries
Doctor, what led to your rejection Of the
Democratic candidates.
''Well, my choice for the head of the ticket
was Mr.. Thurman. l would have been satisfied
with Mcdonald or Randall, or in fact with any
man whose record as statesman might single
him out as fitted to preside over the destinies of
the Nation. But by the selection Of Grover
Cleveland the party emphasized the state
ment made by the Republicans that
Democracy, as such, was dead; for
not only had it abandoned all
the issues maintained since 1860 but It failed to
recognize the fitness of its ablest men to
carry the standard through new campaign.
Hence, as Carl Schurz says they selected "a
truly good man. not a statesman, and yielded
up every Jeffersonian principle to the mere die
tum of the so-called Independents. For that
reason felt that, as Democrat, would not
vote for the head of the ticket
But you have now become supporter of
Blaine and Logan
Yes; and / am proud of being able to adj
vance the interests of one who, to my mind, is
more truly Democratic and thoroughly Amer
lean than any statesman in the land He has
given ofense to England because he asserts
that it is the duty of the United States to con
troll the commerce of this continent and, as he
says, it pains him to have England occupy a
commercial field that rightfully belongs to US,
Then, too, he is in favor of protecting the Amer
lean citizen when he says that American citi-
zenship should ever be the panoply and guard
of him who wears it. and that government and
protection should follow the citizen both at
home and abroad
How do the Irish people feel throughout the
country in regard to Mr.. Blainep
say that his Irsh-American support will greatly
exceed our best expectations. Why. during the
past month visited Kansas Nebraska and Col
orado and in every place that | spoke the expe
rence was of the most gratifying kind. In Lead
vile addressed an organization of four hun
dred former Irish Democrats, and at tho men
ton of Mr.. Blaines name the widest enthusi-
asm was manifested In Colorado, especially in
Denver, nearly all our prominent men are out
and-out Republicans, and emissary of free
trade or British influence would be long tolerat
ed by them for they are brainy, enterprising
men, and well up in the study of political econo-
my. In Lincoln, Nebraska; / called upon Mr..
Patrick Egan, who freely expressed his views.
He told me that in common with
all the Irish leaders, on both sides of the Allan
tic, he was in favor of Blaine's election, not so
much because of his being special friend of
Ireland-though he has been all Of that--but
because his election would be guarantee to an
oppressed people that America had not gone
back on her record as the foe of tyranny
How is the Irish movement in ChicagoW
Il can truly say it is astonishing. Why, in
places where Republican was unknown person
ally and politically whole wards are out for
Blaine. In John f. Finerty we have splendid
leader, and with him are Alexander Sullivan
late president of the Land League, Mr. Barry,
Mr. McLogan, president of the amalgamated So
cieties of the United States, Buck Mccarthy,
President Powers, of the united societies, and
hosts of others in the various wards and pre-
cincts.
DO you remain long with usYn
No; as State medical director of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians of Illinois, l must be at
my post; but hold myself ready to give my
voice and influence to the cause For this reason
resigned my position on the staff of the Cook
county hospital, because, as | am working for
the success of Mr.. Blaine, could not in honor
hold Office under Democratic county govern
ment."