New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-04
HOW WILL THE IRISH VOTEf
THE QUESTION CONSIDERED BY AN IRISH
LEADER.

LEADER.
Mr.. Patrick Ford in The North American Review.
The Irish vote, IS generally known, has been
until recently solid phalanx and cabled annex to
to be found here and there only the sharply de-
noting the rule This may not be cause for con,
graduation, but we arr now In the region Of practlc al
politics and have 10 do with facts. That the elements
constituting the Irish vote should on occasions feel
called upon to express themselves distinctlvely re-
spcctng political measures and movements calculated
affect interests common TO them men Of the
religious faith Is unnatural. In this
respect thc lil7h are not hhhke other people. bui
why the Irish vote should ever have been solid
vote, and why 1t should have been so long held a.
Inc permanent asset OF mo democratic parry, Is a
question the answer to which II not altogether salts
work devoted 10 the curiosities Of American politics.
Any political force I'm this country which Is organ
un-American; and any solid vote which wears even
The scmblance OF foreign complexion IS int0erabe.
congomeration OF allen clans II il nation, with
the organic life and spirit Of nation; and It IS
most desirable that all the elements Of our popula-
ton should, speedily circumstances will allow.
aSsmilao themselves 10 the distinctive American pc.
This National unity does not, Of course, imply agree
m"nt In all political views. Differences there viii be
and must be-. Bur American citizens ought 10 think
and act in American affairs Americans, and not
lrshmen, or Germans. or Englishmen Irishmen and
Germans, ard Enclshmcn. If they put themselves for
ward rs such. must be regarded as fOre gners, and
foreigners should have nothing TO do with American
Not, Insh-Amercans were not Just to themselves
20 long they were solid vote. The most intense
~ American element Of the population they suffered
themselves 10 appear I'm a semale character; loving
liberty, they were made 10 assume attitude Of
seeming hostility 10 the friends Of human freedom ,
The victims Of British tyranny and avarice Irshmen
In America became the strong. blind steadfast sup
porers OF British free trade which laid the industries
Of Ireland in ruin. and forced her children 10 seek
bread and home beyond the sea. Into these incOn-
sistencias they were led by superstltous allegiance
to party management.
With the progress OF education. and in the light Of
the knowledge Of the facts here presented, the Irish
vote solid. Is now I'm state Of solution. Irish
Americans Of to-day are practical and inquirng They
are not 10 be amused by fairy tales they ask what
The living issue of the day, and the the party
that tries TO brighten them with the ghost OF Know
Nothin-sm insults their intelligence and will IN
turn receive their contempt. The issue of to-day IS
tho tariff. 1t IS the American system versus the
British Colonial system The irish insnctlvely are
PrOtect0nists Nineteen twenteths of them are work
ingmcn. and. looking ar the matter a question of
wages they very naturally object TO free trade. Know
Ing this, the Democratic politicians, from Grover
cleveland down, are az pains 10 make the working
people believe that free trade IS beside the issue bur
Mr. Henry George and every honest Free Trader In
The land say II is step in that direction: and the
English press, which concerned about National
contest Only far the result may affect English
Interests, hall ,evclands policy with cheers and hope
and pray for his The fact that the Lion and
Unicorn have taken tho stump for Cleveland and
Thurman IS not calculated TO hurt Harrison and Morton
In the estimation Of the IRISH who will, I promise.
give good account Of themselves In the pending
Presidential election.