The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-13
Not Irishmen, but Americans.

A correspondent Of the Tribune asserts that
the Irishmen here are at the front in all
fields Of activity. In his view. this prom
inence is due to their superior genius.
IrIshmen. he says. are 1.-The rulers OF the
magnificent city and State Of New York.
and OF most of the principal cities OF the
I'nion. while their place in national politics
is constantly broadening" The time was
when an Irish Catholic could not be elected
Mayor of your great city; now no other can
be-" Irish Catholics managed the last Pres
idential campaigns OF the two great parties"
1.-The German. French. and Italian peo-
pie constitute respectable portion OF
the Catholic Church OF our country"
but Irshmen "are at its head and control
its policy; and an Irishman will yet be
Pope" Fairly educated Americans who
are unequal to meet tho battle OF life
are many" but such inefficient persons
among "Irishmcn Of like attainments
arc few indeed" In all manly sports
Irishmen stand first us individuals" LAS
statesmen. lawyers, orators. poets. and
scholars, lriShmen excel" Where" asks
this writer. "aro the Germans. English.
French. and other foreign-born citizens, in
American affairs z"
The rapid progress Of people Of Irish birth
in our society is proof OF their inherent
ability. When they began to come hither
in great numbers. they were not held in
high esteem. Nearly all OF them were poor.
and many OF them were uneducated. Now
they command respect everywhere because
OF their abilities. They have risen steadily;
and SO far as they have gained political
power their success has been due in
part to their genius for political
management, but chiefly to their Jealous
performances Of the duties OF citiZcnshiD
As soon as the law allowed. they became
citizens. Other immigrants have been more
negligent in improving that opportunity.
The Irish have been ambitious to go ahead.
They are II race which is both physically
and intellectually strong.
II is not as Irshmen. however, that thew
have advanced. Iii as Americans, as Amer
lean citizens. They would not be foreigners.
but made all possible haste To get into
the mass Of American citizenship. At one
time they We're distinguished in the politi-
cal classification as lrshmcn. Formerly
there was much talk about tho Irish
vote. Now there is no such vote as a
distinct quantity. The Irish have become
Americans who vote as they please. and
their race inheritance furnishes no sure
indication of their politics. Most OF them,
it Ia true. arc Democrats, but most OF them
1.-Two in cities whore the tendency of all races
is toward Democracy. Moreover, many of
the most prominent Republicans are Irish
lnen. No race lines exist in politics.
II Is not true that only an Irish Catholic
can be elected Mayor" OF New York. 1t is
only true that nobody except a Democrat
can be elected Mayor OF this city of over
wheming Democratic sentiment. Whether
he be q Roman Catholic or Protestant
makes no difference. Only his political
faith, not his religious faith. Is consid-
cred by the voters. whether they DO of
Irish blood or of any other blood Tho
Irish voted in as great numbers for Mr..
CLEVELAND, n Presbyterian. as for Mr..
GILRoY. Roman Catholic. They were as
loyal to Governor FLOWER. an Episcopa-
liam. as IL he had been OF their own faith.
Irishmen would vote as Loyalty
for Democratic candidate for Mayor who
was Protestant as they did for Mayor
GILEoY. They do not carry religious dis
into their politics.
The attempt to raise this question OF race
and religious faith is mischiev-
Gus. The glory of tho Irish race in this re-
pahli"is not that they are Irishmcn, but that
they are American citizens. Every eIninence