The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-11-01
WILL THE IRISH BOLT?

There are rumors that many of the
Irish people of the county intend to bolt
the county ticket on Tuesday next.
There is more of wild conjecture than
facts in the statement. There rarely is
convention held which does not leave
some bitter feeling In its wake. and while
anger is at its hight some indisereet ut
terances are made. But when cool judg-
ment reasserts itself the folly of boiling
becomes apparent.
But it is said by republicans that the
irish are dissatisfied because they have
not sufficient number OF that national
ity on the ticket. This is used as the
campaign argument and it Is hoped that
through it some of the republican nomi-
nees may be elected. A little reflection
should teach the Irish people not to act
so unwisely. The recollection of 1886
should quiet the dissatisfaction if indeed
there be any.
Then there were then five Irishmen on
Vic tIChct. tlc LII Sl oll tlc tlChSl
for the two offices deemed most impor-
tant-Senator and Sheriff-being Irish.
The lamented John Carey had in oppo-
sition man whom the most popular
might fear, and John Bolen had opposed
to him the strongest man whom the re-
publicans could nominate. There were
O. af Reconsideration, fhar
because of the number of Irish on the
ticket. But the leading Germans, prom
inent among them A. J. Schmitz and
William Rahr, took the field and worked
increasingly for the ticket and mainly for
those on the ticket of Irish nationality
whose election was in danger. G. r.
Zorn of Schleswig did likewise. Every
democratic German of prominence in
the party fought the outcroppings of
national prejudice and held the party
straight. Mr.. Schmitz openly pledged
himself that if ever it should happen that
the Irish would have a less representa-
ton on the ticket than they thought was
their due, they would be found faithful
to the party and begged that the Ger
mans stand by every man on the ticket.
He insisted everywhere that nationality
should cut no figure in an election; that
we are all American citizens and ques-
tons of birth place or extraction were
wholly out of the place in choosing pub
lie officers. There was not a man in the
party who could run against Fred
Schuette and not be in great doubt as to
the result. The election OF John Carey
was made all the more difficult because of
the number of Irish on the ticket but
Mr. Schnitz and Will Rahr and others
held the Germans to his support and
achieved the greatest victory ever won
in this county.
1.-THE Irish should bolt this year and ieop-
pardize the election of any man on the
ticket, they say to Mr.. Schmitz in effect:
I'VE do not intend to make good our
promise that the Irish will always prove
faithful to the ticket when worthy men
are nominated without regard to nation
atty" If two years from now an Irish
man should encounter determined oppo-
sition after the convention and Mr..
Schmitz should go on the stump in his
behalf what could he say if the Irish
prove untrue this fall? What could the
Germans say to him and Will Rahr
should these two men make it a personal
matter to see there was no boiling? Why,
they could refer to the election of 1888
and say "an eye for an eye and tooth
for TOOTH"
There is nothing more to be deprecated
than arousing national prejudice. If
bad nomination is made by either party
the person should be defeated. But it is
a most absurd thing to drag nationality
into campaign. 1t will inevitably re-
suit in discord and produce breach
which cannot be healed. In elections
there should be no distinctions of nation
atty. Party, of course governs and al
ways will while good nominations are
made. Party and personal fitness are
the only things meriting consideration.