The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-07
THE BLAINE IRISH.


John brennan, OF Iowa, Thinks they Should
be In tho Republican Party.
Correspondence Of nc Nels I0rE Pres.
Now that James G. Blaine is out o.
the Presidential race absolutely, the
question arises: Where will the Blaine
Irish go? Surely not back into the
Democratic party. ! was Blaine man,
In 1884, at the call OF Patrick Ford, 1
went to New York city and assisted at
the memorable meeting OF Irish indie
pents, the supporters Of Blaine and Lo-
gan, at ChicEering Hall. l had fOndly
hoped to fight the good fight again un-
der the leadership OF the great COM
moner. ] had hoped that his candidacy
would lead to the triumph OF the prin-
Ciple Of protection, and forever break
the ties that bind my countrymen to
the free trade party in America. But
the lates would have it otherwise, and
$50 mote it be-" 1t now becomes n
cause of anxiety to me to learn where
the ehivalrous and courageous thou
sands OF my compatriots who followed
Blaine and Logan in 1884 will be found
fighting in 1883. l repeat it: Surely
not back in the Democratic party.
Blaine and Logan were ideal chieftains;
but II we are men worthy the respect OF
the American people we will abandon
the chieitain business and fight for prin-
ciple in the great struggle OF the Presi-
dental election.
Our blind belief in clean and chief
Has dwAried the nations mind:
While Others swept iuturity,
We sadly gREcd behind,
We closed our cars TO the deRiGnlng cheers,
OF the nations marching on,
And CROPPED among the tombs until
The sunSot light were gone.
II we have no higher motive in rela-
ton to public affairs OF our adopted
country than the election Of some parti-
cular man to Office we are doomed and
hopeless race. Glass and clan have been
our course at home, and the spirit OF
faction has followed us into exile. But
the clouds that darkened the mind OF
our race are breaking under the bright
light OF intelligence. Religious preju-
dice and county lines have disappeared,
and our race, like a strong man waking
from troubled dream, is stretching its
giant limbs and opening its eyes TO a
realization Of the difference between fac
ton and principle. Our place is with
the Republican party, side by side and
shoulder to shoulder in the grand march
of this grandest Of nations for the full
realization OF perfect nationality, for
equal rights, for native industry and in
dustrial independence.
Those OF US who are hungering for the
Aesh.pots of petty offices, and those OF
us whose souls are under the control OF
the ward heeiers, will cling to the Dem. |
ocratic party. But the Irish Independ.
ents-the Blaine men OF 'S4-of right |
should be found in the ranks OF the Re-
publican party. 1t isnot for US to make
race, or class, or creed our rallying cry,
not to invoke a new Ireland in America,
but for ourselves to becomein spirit and
IN practice, truly, intensely, fiercely
Americans than the
Americans. Weare race ofwage work
,rs, whose highestinterests are insepara.
bic from the industrial prosperity OF
America. We are part OF this American
lation, flesh ofits flesh, bone offs bone,
very fiber OF our bodies, every pulse OF
ur hearts. Our place is with the in
Iustry, the conscience, the intelligence )