St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-29
OFFENDED THE IRISH.
An Indiscreet Utterance That Gre
ated a Great COmmOtiOn

W. II. DonOhue was one of the few
prominent lrishmen who withdrew from
the parade OH account of the anti-hOme
rule interview with Dr.. AmeS published
in the evening papers. He was one of
the committee of reception, but refused
to join the parade, Or go to the ball park.
He likewise advised his Irish acQuaint-
ances to steer clear of the reception,
and expressed himself bitterly. THAT
interview" he said, (which | am as
sured by George K. Shaw is correct,
confirms what Michael Doran told me
about AmeS two years ago. He is anti
Irish at he art, and only awaits the Op-
p0rtunity when he thinks he is strong
as he has made to-day. This will
sOlidify Irishmen in Minneapolis
against him. There are 5000 Irish vot-
ers in Minneapolis who will resent the
statement that the Irish are not fit to
govern themselves. was so broken up
over it, after having worked three
nights and given my money to help
make the reception success, that
wished could meet him and insult him
in a way that he would remember,
the dirty pup" Mr.. DOnOhue
claimed that IrisEmen had subscribed
over 300 of the 1915 raised toward the
expenses of the reception, and he said
great many more lrishmen felt as
sore over the interview as he did. The
others did not withdraw from the
parade, however. although Mr. Donohue
said the Hibernian rifles had refused to
march. John Lally and Matt Walsh were
observed in the line of the old
volunteer fire company. j. K. Cor
rigan kept his place as marshal OF
division, Thomas Moore marched with
the Elks. and Matt Gallagher took his
place on the committee, nor did Aid.
McGowan withdraw. Mayor Babb.
Judge DOnOhue said. also cOntem-
plated pulling out, but remained
because he believed the interview
would turn out to be not reliable.
Roger Vail, who takes little or no part
in any kind of politics but the home
rule movement, of which he is an en-
thusiastic supporter, was very angry at
the statements attributed to DR..
first American who has returned from
Europe, and said the Irish were
not fit for self-gOvernment. 1t comes
especially hard when the priests, who
are so widely denounced, are suffering
Imprisonment for their efforts in behalf
of human liberty. The Irish will never
forgive Dr.. Ames, and he is dead
duck politically"
The interview which stirred up the
Irish to such heat was claimed tohaye
been had with DR.. Ames, on the train
between La Crosse and st. Paul, by
reporter of the Tribune-Star. The part
which alluded to Ireland was cOuched
in this language in the interview:
my views about Ireland? Well, they have
been changed. When l lett was prejudiced
in favor of home rule, but now | do not
think the people are capable of ruling them
selves. Some things regarding them have
not been fully reDTesented and others have
been exaggerated. Put American schools in
Ireland for a generation or two and then
they will be ready for home RUE. But now
they are not competent to undertske the task
OF self government.
Il had plenty OF opportunity OF studying
the Irish question. and am convinced OF
one thing, that Ireland is priest ridden.
Where you find the priest you find lgnor-
ance, and where you find ignorance you ma
misery. Nothing but education can pull Ire
land out of the slough of despond. They must
first of all throw off the priestly yoke and
then seek education. Take the Irish character
where educational facilities are equal and
you win find bright and brilliant people.
There is no nation on earth that can bloom
quicker, or where the people are more sa-
gaciOus and keen where they have education.
They are bowed down Dy superstition and ig-
noFance, and this is 10 be found wherever
the priests are. The priest power does not
want the people of Ireland to be educated"
1t was currently denied on the streets
that the offending interview with DR..
Ames was corr ct, and parties who were
with him on the trip from Chicago,
and who had been with him
during the day, were quoted as
authority. 1t was about 10o'clOck in the
evening when the doctor had escaped
from the clutches of several hundred
men into the West Hotel exchange, who
were trying to shake hands with him all
succeeded in getting an interview.
The quotation from the evening papers
was read to him, and then the reporter
asked docs that represent fairly what
you said?" The doctor replied sub
stantially yes, although it puts it some
what differently than i would
have it. Understand me, ] don't
mean to attack Ireland, the Irish
people or their religion. Some of my
best friends are IriShmen. and l should
be sorry to say anything to offend them.
The reporter asked me what l thought
about Ireland, and l answered
him just as l would about Ger
many or England. Still | won't say
even that he misquoted me. l believe
in home rule, and want Ireland to have
lls
nv observations | do not think the
Irish people, as a whole, mind you,
are fit for self-gOyernment, and
the fault wont call it fault
but rather a misfortune that quite
| large portion of them are ignorant.
| They are controlled by their priests alb
sOlutely, or almost so, and that is what
l mean by saying that the priests are in
a measure responSlble; understand
me, say in measure, L
| found certain condition to
exist among these people, and naturally
that condition is caused largely by the
influence which controls them" When
informed that his interview had
| and indignation among prominent
| Irishmen, DR.. AmeS said: II don't
see why cannot give my views on the
Irish queStien without being put into
the light of making an attack. If
should say what l tho ght about Rus
sia, that l consider it an abso-
lutte monarchy bad for its people,
| | don't believe | would be denounced
for it. My anceStars came from Maine,
and yet if l should say that consider
the Maineites narrow-minded set of
fanatics, no one would object to my
opinion. If / should speak of some
| dark corner OF our own country, say
some back county of Missouri, and say
the fault with the people was their
ignorance. and if l found they were
controlled and guided in their ignor-
ance by their priests or ministers and
should say so, l don't think l would
be accused of insulting the American
| people. Why is the Irishman such a
high and mighty creature that his con-
| dition can't be discussed or considered
the same as other nationalitles. The
| lrishman with me is just as good, but
no better than any other nationality.
If l am asked for my opinion
about him I'll give it; that's all
there is to it. / mean what say, and
the only thing object to is being put
in the attitude of attacking the Irish or
anybody else. / went to England think
ing the English were the oppressors
of Ireland, but find that the
best class of Englishmen desire
| lraland:S proSpprifv and O0t har ruip