The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-15

Nt,r York PrCS.
1t is n mistake to assume that Mr..
Blaine's personality, strictly speaking,
was the special cause that attracted Irish
American, to him in 1884. Not one of
them in thousand had ever seen him
or listened to him before the beginning
OF his Presidential campaign. Their
enthusiasm for Blaine was attributed to
the clearness, force and earnestness with
which he summarized the creed OF Amer
lean nationality: PROTECTION to Amer
lean citizens abroad, protection to
American industries at home, the exten.
sion OF American commerce, and the
determination OF the republics on the
American continent" Thisis the polit-
ical creed OF every enlightened and
courageous Irish-American.
General Harrison has spoken OH many
occasions as brave and manly words for
Ireland as Blaine has ever uttered, and
Levi P. Morton ought to find, If he does
not, warm corner in the affections OF
the Irish race. When their kindred
were starving in 1880 he contributed
from his private means one.fourth OF
cargo that freighted Il vessel OF $4,000
barrels capacity with provisions ior the
suffering Irish. II the prOverbial gen
erosity Of the race is not delusion they
will remember him in their prayers and
at the ballot box.
There is something in personality, but
there lis much more in the tactics and
policies OF the Democratic party, which
in recent years has driven vast numbers
OF enlightened men out Of the Democrat
ic camp into the Republican fold. Chief
among those causes may be enumerated:
The Observation-Disclosures and growing
power OF the race; the genius OF peO'
pie realizing sense OF the humiliation
to which blind obedience to the Demo-
cratic party had broug hit them; natural
affinity, which plainly intimated that
they were in the wrong crowd instinct
and self-respect, (which repudiated the
doctrine that because they were Irish
men they were bound blindly to follow
wherever the Democratic party led; dis
gust at the associations into which they
were compelled at ward caucuses; visi-
BILE manifestations OF the venerable dis
order OF Know Nothingism in Democracy
when men like Francis Herman and Viii
liam r. Grace were candidates for exalted
offices: and strongest and most repul-
sive, the alliance of the British
Golden Club and the Democratic party
for the avowed purpose OF ailllcting this
country with the ruinous policy OF free
trade, which had wrought inCaIculable
injury to the Emerald Island; the base
and cowarlly foreign policy OF Mr.,
CIeveland's administration: the treach-
cry and duplicity OF Abram S. Hewitt in
relation to 0'DOnnell, demonstrating u
secret understanding between the DEM
ocratic leaders and the British Govern
ment. rs against Irish interests and aspi-
rations: the shameless establishment Of
Minister Phelps, whose post.prandiaI
speeches we're specially framedto Justify
the brutal tory power in its prosecutions
OF the Irish people; the aitectionatc let
tiers of President Cleveland to Queen
Victoria, in which he gave his great
good friend" assurance thataii was peace
and LOYALTY in her dominions, unmind-
| full OF the fact that during her reign the
fairest island that the sun OF God looks
down upon had been by hergovernment
converted into prison, n poorhousc
and sepulchre.
The love-making OF Chamberlain and
Bayard over the fisheries treaty; the
Democratic extradition treaty, which
proposed to make the United States Il
policeman OF England for the capture
and return OF Irish patriot eXiles; and,
stronger than all, the consciousness that
the political struggle OF our day is 4
square stand up fight between England
and America for the control OF the
American market, and that the duty
and interest of Irish.Americans ought &c
place them on the American side in this
inomentous controversy have also WELD
ed mighty influence.
The wonder is not that these exasper'
ating causes have aroused these people
from the lethargy of generation, but
that they had not been sooner aroused
that they did not, before the campaign
OF 1884, when frequently trodden on like
worms, turn upon the power that sought
to degrade and insult them while insist
ing that it held chattle mortgage on
their suGrages and n paddock on then
consciences. The revolt OF Irish. Ameri
cans is not matter OF personality MOI
of prejudice. 1t is the uprising OF a race
who have been grievously imposed upon
md who are resolved TO overthrow tht
imposition. .--
There is an Irish legend, that some
where in the glens OF Donegal an army
OF their race stands sleeping with thei
hands upon their weapons, and rider
mounted and motionless upon thei
steeds. That in the glen there is
sword which only awaits the time ant
the soldier to draw it, when the sleep
ing army will spring to active life ant
work the regeneration OF their country
For three generations Irish American
have rested like the slumbering arm.
upon the weapons at their hands, bu
the time has come and the sword i
drawn, and it is for them now to tigh
for and establish the industrial indie
pendenee OF their adopted country.
The Pres is receiving assurance iron
every Northern State and very man,
industrial centres in the South that tn
ties which have hitherto united Irish
Americans with the Democratic part,
are loosening, and that 1t is the settle.
purpose and determination OF the sci
sacrificing and thoughtful men anon
them to break and eepudiate the Demo
cratic claim to what it is pleased to tern
a solid Irish vote-a determination t
act in American public affairs like loya
Americans, with just appreciation G
duty, dignity and patriotism with re!
olution that shall no longer be the traG
ing stock Of an ungrateful political party
buta race OF liberty loving men, seekin
knowledge for the purpose OF bein
right and voting according to the die
tates OF their judgment and their col
, sciences.