Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-08-30
HOW WILL THE IRISH VoTE7
4 Clear and Sueeinct Analysis of Irish
American Politics.


Mr. Patrick Ford in the South ATeri-
cen Regielo says:
The Irish vote as is generally known,
has been until recently a solid phalanx
and a cabaled annex to the Democratic
party. the exceptional Irish republican
to be found here and there only the more
sharply denoting the rule. This may
not be cause for congratulation, but
we are now in the region of practical
politics and have to do with facts. That
the elements constituting the Irish vote
should on occasions feel called upon to
express themselves distinctively respect
ing political measures and movements,
calculated to affect interests common to
them as men of the same race or religious
faith, is not unnatural In this respect
the irish are not unlike other people.
But why the Irish vote should ever have
been q solid vote and why il should
have been so long held as a permanent
asset Of the Democratic party, is a ques-
ton the answer to which, if not alto.
gether satisfactory, would form a most
interesting chapter in work devoted to
the curiosities of American politics.
ANY political force in this country
which is organized. or held intact on a
racial or religious basis is American;
and any solid vote which wears even
the semblaHce of foreign complexion is
lntolerable This country is not n con-
federation Of colonies nor n conglomera-
ton of alien clans. 1t Is nation, with
the organic life and spirit of q nation;
and it is most desirable that all the ele-
ments Of our population should, as
speedily as circumstances will allow, as
simulate themselves to the distinctive
American type. This natoaal unity
does not, Of course, imply agreement in
all political views. Differences there
will be and must be. Bat American
citizens ought TO think ana act in Amerl-
can affairs as Americans. and not as
Irshmen or Germans and Englishmcn, if
they put themselves forward as such,
must be regarded as foreigners, and
foreigners must have nothing 70 do With
American affairs.
do not want to pauder 10 vulgar pre-
iudjce | have no respect for that loud
and offensive Americauism which,
whilst ID assumes to he the exclusive
guardian of all national interests, is it.
self too often the offspring OF race and
religious birotry. The spurious pa
triotism which forever Giants about the
foreigner is itself foreign TO the true
spirit Of true Americanism. lie who
would deny the claims of blood IS uu-
natural, and loyalty to the genius OF
American nationality enjQins nothing
that is repuguant 10 nature or manhood.
Nv contention is that Americans of
Irish birth ought to be just to themselves,
rs they are loyal to their adopted coun-
try, and justice 20 themselves requires
that they should, like other Americans,
agree to disagree in politics. This is the
right thing to do, and the right thing
viii be found the wise thing also.
Now, lrish-Americaus were not just TO
themselves SO long as they were a solid
vote. The most intensely American
element Of the population. they suffered
themselves to appear in a semi-alicu
character; loving liberty, they were
made to assume an attitude of seeming
hostility TO the friends of human free
dou: the victims Of British tyranny and
avarice, lrishmen in America became
the strong, blind, steadfast supporters OF
British Free Trade, which laid the in
dustrcs of Ireland in ruin, and forced
her children TO seek bread aud q home
beyond the sea- 1ulO LntsG luCONsto ttuNtes
they were lead by a superstitious ale
glance TO party management.
In the tifties the spirit Of nativism
swept over Massachusetts,, and Gardiner.
an avowed knownothing was elected
governor of the state. The Montgomery
Guards az Irish American military
body, was disbanded, and other affronts
were put upon men Of the Irish race
and the Catholic faith. The republican
party was then in its incipiency, and as
il was organized Massachusetts took hel
place in the column Of Republican
States. This fact, read in the light Of
preceding events, prejudiced the re-
publican party in tho minds Of adopted
citizens. and for years after demagogues
on the Democratic stump, and to hold
the Irish vote in the Democratic party
sought to iden ify republicanism with
Knownothingis u tried to make the
masses believe that the republican party
was but a new cover for the old pro
scriptive organization. The truth Il
that. while the democratic and tie re-
publican parties. as such, were then a.