New-York tribune., 1891-12-24
THAT IRISH TOTE.

complications between the United States and
Chill have been remarkable in one respect
There has been general agreement on the
part of the London journals that American diplo-
macy has been directed and influenced by po-
litical regard for the Irish vote. 1t is curious
fact, TO say the least that whenever the State
Department takes a firm and resolute stand for
American rights, whether in the Behrng Sea
controversy, the Itata or the Valparaiso out
RACES, the English press at once dismisses tho
matter as political demonstration for securing
the Irish vote. The natural inference would
seem to be that the best method of influencing
ish-Americarf opinion is Tor the Administration
Of the day to be uncompromisingly patriotic in
defending American rights at home and abroad
This inference, if it be valid involves a high
tribute to Irish character. The Irish vote must
be one of excellent quality if it can only be
secured by displays of Americap patriotism and
regard for National honor.
This is not, however, the logic OF the Eng
lish press. 1t has accused President Harrison
and Secretary Blaine of adapting their diplo-
matte dealings with Chill TO the political neces-
sity of attracting Irish support by an anti-Eng-
lish policy. 1t chooses to assume that Chill is
any measures directed against one are blows
aimed at the other. Minister Egan, moreover,
has been in his day one OF the leaders of the
Land League and consequently an enemy of
England, so that any countenance and moral
support given 10 him from Washington involve
direct bid for Irish votes in American elections.
This is the blunt way in which the London press
has analyzed the motives of the Administration
in recent naval and diplomatic manoeuvres
against Chill. 1t declines to believe that there
can be any other explanation Of the course of
the State Department than political design to
capture the Irish vote in the approaching Presi-
Dental contest by brave show Of "twisting
the lions tall"
There is one consideration which the English
press has apparently overlooked in its analysis
of the secret motives of American diplomacy.
Thai is the fact that the great mass of Irish
voters in America are not influenced by hostility
TO England. An Irishman in Ireland only needs
to be told what England wants him to do, and
brandishing his blackthorn he will stlaightway
refuse to do it. An Irishman in America when
he learns how England desires to have him vote
meekly complies. 1t is an anomaly, but it is
true that the mon who are fighting the industrial
battle of English Free Trade are Irishmen in
America Without the almost unbroken Irish
vote in cities like New-York, Brooklyn, Boston,
Chicago, jersey City, Albany and Buffalo the
Democatic party would have no chance what
ever of winning next year on the Fee-Tiade
issue. This conduct of the Irish voters is so
strange and illogical that the English press is
unable TO credit it. So far from being influenced
by hostility 30 English interests nineteen out OF
every twenty Irishmen in America are voting
steadily for English Free Trade.
When, therefore, these London censOrs attempt
TO explain American diplomatic policy as vul-
gar political game Of working up Irish support
by means of Anti-English demonstrations, they
reveal comprehensive ignorance OF the
anomalies of politics in the United States The
Irish are on the English side, voting solidly
with the Free-Trade party year after year, and
ninfuenced by their traditional policy OF hos
tility 10 everything British. The Irish voter is
not the enemy but the ally of the English Free
Trader. If these English critics all 60 to the
bottom of the question they will find that their
rulers have succeeded better than they supposed
in governing Ireland in their own selfish interests
They could do nothing with the Irish in Ireland,
so they have empded half of the population
into America, where it has become the main
stronghold and the rising hope of English Free
Trade.