New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-07
TpTSH. ANERICAN IDEAS.

Patrick Ford has the reputation Oh peihs al
intense Irishman No fair minded man VINO
will read the remarkable interview with him
published on another page will doubt that while
be is n characteristic Irishman in his loyal de-
votion to his own country he is essentially
American in his views of all questions relating
to his adopted country. Proofs OF this asser-
tion are too numerous in this interview to be
cited in detail. but attention may be directed TO
one or two striking points. Mr.. ford IL up
posed in this country to solid votes OF races, or
nationalities, or religious bodies. such votes,
be well saws. are a menace to the Republic ana
on injury to the elements that cast them. He
would not have Irishmen, as Irishmen, go out
If the Democratic party, where they have been
voting so long. nor into the Republican party,
where many of them found themselves for the
first time four years ago. He would nave tneh
act as Americans in American politics ana vote
for candidate or for principles, not as mat
ter of Irish politics or of religious intrigue put
solely because they honor representative
American or heartily approve Of courageous
and enlightened national policy. Professor
Goodwin Smith does not derive keener salts
faction from the prospect Of the breakinenp Oh
the solid support which Democracy until 1884
received from the Irish than Mr.. Ford himself
enioys in the hope that that vote Will be per-
manently divided between the leading parties.
Equally true to the American spirit is Mr..
Ford's explanation of Mr.. Blaine's popularity
among men Of Irish birth. He dlsmsses with
contempt the insinuation that 1rishmen would
expect him, if elected President, to plunge the
country into foreign war. AS Americans lov-
ing their adopted country equally with citizens
of other races, they do not want war with any
nation "Ireland is dear to u.s." he exclaims,
"but America is far dearer as our home and the
home OF our children for the ages to come "
They do not honor Mr.. Blaine because they con-
slider that he might aid Ireland by cloudlng the
relations of England and the United States, but
simply for the reason that genuine Americans
arc for him-because they love their adopted
country and regard him as its ablest and noblest
champion. 1t is because Mr.. Blaine appeals TO
the best instincts of Amcricamsm and repre-
sents better than any one else that system OF
industrial emancipation and development lying
at the base of existing prosperity and progress
in the United States that he has earned the good
will and affection of so many lrlshmen VINO un-
iii 1884 voted only for Democratic candidates.
The Mugwump sneer has been; Mr.. Blaines
support has come from bad Irishmen who are
spelling for a fight p Mr.. Fords dignihed re-
doinder is that Irishmen can be good Americans
and as such honor che of the best types OF Amer
lean manhood.
There is a touch of Celtic humor in the Irish
leaders explanation of the disproportion be-
tween the number of disaffected Republicans
who supported Mr.. Cleveland and the number
of Irish Democrats who voted for MIR. Blame.
"On general principles" he remarks 1t IS
very much easier to make an American out OF an
Irishman than it is to turn an American into
Mugwump.D He believes that the army OF
Irish Republicans will be rapidly recruited and
the force of Mugwump stragglers inevitably
diminished in the present campaign; put he con-
siders MIR. Blaine's leadership essential. On
this point he speaks without reserve and with
marked emphasis. He says plainly that the
nomination of Mr.. Blaine will draw of from the
Democratic column large fraction Of its ordi-
nary voting strength, and that no o'her candl-
date who may be named by the Republicans can
be equally successful in that respect. There is
much in this candid presentation of the political
prospect that may be soberly pondered by the
delegates soon to assemble In National Con-