New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-07
A TALK WITH PATRICK FORD
VIEWS OF AN IRISH LEADER.
URGING Mr.. BLAINE's NOMINATION.
THE IRISH VOTE OUGHT NOT TO BE SOLID IN
AMERICA. BUT DIVIDED BETWEEN THE
GREAT PARTIES-MR BLAINE HoNoRED
BY IRISIIMEN FOR HIS AMERICAN
ISM. AND NOT SUPPORTED FROM
nLrA A

CRAZY HOPE OF A WAR
WITH ENGLAND.
representative Of THE TRIBUNE called on Patrick
Ford, Editor and proprietor of tho Irish World BY
far the most influential organ Of IrshAmeican opinion
in this country, to get his views the political situ-
alton and the possible outcome OF the Republican Con-
ventIon at Chicago. Mr. Ford received the reporter
courteously, but previous occasions, was dis
inclined to give interview. Every week. he said,
newspaper men called to get his views on the sams
subject but he had invariably refused them. doubt
ing the wisdom and the good taste OF his offering any
thing that might look lIkc advice suggestion on such
a matter outside Of HIS own paper. The reporter
urged Mr. Ford to deliver himself, in his own way,
and then put the following questions, to which wero
given the following answers:
"Your preference for the Presidential nominations
is, I assume, James G. BlaiDcl'
"Ycss
@wlI you please state why you specially favor
Mr. Blane9"
"I favor Mr. Blaine because in my opinion, the
health Of tho Nation the life OF the party Of Proec
tion, and the complete emancipation fiom the slavery
Of machine politics OF Irish-AmercaD voters depend
on his election
"You feel confident that Mr.. Blaine, II nominated
would be cectedl'
at feel entirely confident that II nominated, Mr.
Blaine will be the next President of the United States"
"would not another good man standing on Blaine's
platform commend himself TO the judgment OF voters -
Enthusiasm plays as large part In campaigns as
judgment. Marry the two, and the offspring Is
blessing. Many man might stand on Blanes plat
FORM but where is the with Blalne's magnetism
II the Convention shows Judgment the people VIII
show enthusiasm, and they Will show It the more be-
couse the. Convention shows Judgment"
A CANDIDATE TO EMBODY THE PLATFORM.
"But, Mr.. Ford you know the motto Principles, mo-
men'n
any motto includes both principles and men. Nero
theorists indulge In distractions but the popular mind
always personifes idea and tho instinct that mpes
II to do IS sound and true good platform Is
good thing: but tho nomination OF good candidate,
who is recognized the embodiment of that platform.
IS matter Of pre-emncnt importance, for then wo
know that what Is said Is meant.'
There are those who say there now great
issues dividing the two parties you don't feel that
way?n
II that is so, thcn It makes no difference which Of
the two parties IS victorious, which is defeated
But there is issue and very distinct issuehat Is
the Tariff In 1854 Mr. Blaine tried TO force that issuc
but the Democrats lodged 1t, and the Mugwumps
equally dishonest. AS General Butler wittly
marked, the Tariff plank In tho Democratic platform
was constructed the principle Of the gun that. whom
went of, would hit the object II calf and miss It II
a bear. But Cleveland in his stolld egotsm has
revived the issue. Thank God for I'll Cleveland has
put the Democratic party double irons and committed
Mr. Blaine, by his criticism Cleveland's Message,
has emphasized the issue raised and II the Repub
lican party in its turn, should dodge the issue, 1t will
assuredly be beaten and what is more, 1t will deserve
to be beaten"
THE TARIFF CAN BE REVISED BY ITS FRIENDS.
Don't you think Mr.. Ford, there articles
the tariff list the duties on which might safely be
duccd7'
If there are articles on the list, the duties
which might with safety be reduced, the friends Of
the protective policy, not its enemies, safely be
trusted TO make the reduction'
But is 1t to be supposed that the friends Of Pro-
lection could or would in any case make such re-
ductlons7o
Facts answer In the Affirmative. The principle
of the protective policy, understand 1t, is this:
Home industries ought to be fostered and encouraged
In order that nati7e Industries may thrive and Amer
lean workngmen be able to live in comfort and de-
cency duties should be levied the products of sim
ilar industries In foreign lands, sufficient to the
difference between the ipaid foreign labor and the
better paid American labor-that is, sufficient to
maintain the American standard of living But
things which cannot be produced I'm this country and
which cannot, of course, come in competition with
American labor, there ought TO be duties at all
Tea and coffee, for instance cannot be raised here
tea and Coffee therefore, ought to be, they are
the free list and the Protcctionsts put them on the
free list in opposition to the Free Traders, who
wanted to keep the duties those articles which
essential to the poor mans table, In so-called FREQ
Trade England tariff duties still levied and
coffee. The protective policy is the American
tona policy, and Blaine Is It's grandest cmbodimentn
NO CHOICE AFTER MR. BLAINE.
"If Mr. Blaine should fail OF nomination, who Is
your second choicc?o
81 have no second choice; falling that whatever
happens Will be to me matter of Indifference
Would not General Sheridan prove drawing card y
Phil Sheridan is an IrIshman by blood Catholic,
and perhaps the most dashing soldier of tho for
tbe Union. Naturally, 1 am proud Of him. Notwith-
standing he Is Republican, members Of his and
creed who are Democrats would vote for him. would
many OF the soldier element regardless of politics. 1t
very gratifying, and It speaks well for the spirit OF
Amercanlsm that pervades the Republican party, to
note the goodwill with which Sheridans has been
generally received in view Of the Chicago Conven-
ton But let us not deceive ourselves. The timo
has not come for either party to put forward for Prsi
dent man who is a Catholic The cry would Immedl-
atcly be raised of bringing religion into politics. That
is what the NewYork Democratic press charged when
William r. Grace, q Democrat, ran for Mayor Of this
city. This prejudice, however, growing beautifully
less with tme constitutes grievance for Catholics
Under the Constitution, to the Catholic Church Is
guaranteed equal Liberty with other religious bodies,
and that Is all we claim. don't want to see anything
rise up that is calculated to turn the campaign to
false issue. In Ireland the Catholics elected the
Protestant Parneu to lead them Why Because he
Is true Irlshman and statesman. Now, what Wa
want In this country likewise is true American and
great statesman. Sheridan Of course, is true Amer.
lean; but there is but sde to his character that
is tho military
THE IRISH VOTE SHOULD BE BROKEN UP
If Blaine is nominated Will the Irish vote 60 solid
to"
Let me interrupt you there. am opposed TO solid
votes, whether In the South in the North whether
Irish German, whether Catholic or Protestant
These solid votes arc danger TO the Republic and
tho end injury to the very sections or elements
that WELD them.'
Butt Mr.. Ford, II you shall deem It your duty 10
support the Republican party in the coming Presi.
Dental election you will, naturally, try over
to that side as many Of the Irish as you can-lndeed
the whole Irish vote II possible. Is not thar sop
Certainly ! should deem 1t my duty TO win over
as many as possible to the side that believed was
right. But would not have Irlshmen go out Of any
party or go Into any party as Irishmen. l moi
In q ApthIf Ifea apfxa xafi