The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-30
AN IRISH REPUBLICAN.
Ex-COngressman Finerty Gives
Twelve Reasons for His Faith.

Donahoe's Magazine for November.
IL Will answer Gategorically, as it were,
the question, why are you a Republican ?j
flnal consolidation. in 1856, when John c.
fremont was its presidential candidate. has
been the consistent friend of American lib
erty, progress and dignity.
2 Because the Republican party appro-
priated to itself all that was best i'm the
national policy of Jefferson, Monroe and
3. Because the Republican party never
Tor a moment, countenanced the doctrine of
the right OF secession, as taught by John
Davis, OF mississippi Clement l.. Vallan-
digham, of Ohio and their followers, South
and North.
A. Because it boldly grappled with the
formidable problem of crushing the rebel
lion fomented by a section of the Demo-
cratic party, and sympauzed with by
8nother section of the same, almost equally
dangerous
5. Because. by just policy of taxing
foreign Imports. 1t made the direct burdens
of the people lighter established our credit
abroad, equipped, armed and paid a gigan-
tic army and formidable navy for the
restoration Of the Union; paid the interest
of our enormous national debt, forced upon
us by a section of the Democratic party in
rebellion against the national government,
and finally reduced that debt itself to pro-
portions that no longer embarrass our pros
perity.
6. Because it has been the consistent
friend of naval construction and coast forti-
uCdllOD COMMENSURATE WITH our commercial
interests and dignity as power of the first
class, peaceful If we can and warlike If we
must.
Z. Because 1t holds American interests
dearer than party expediency. and refuses
to sacrifice the prosperity of the Union for
the special benefit Of any particular section
thereof; and, further, because it believes in
the policy of justly protecting our native
industries against cheap foreign competi-
tion taught by Washington, Jefferson,
Clay, Lincoln and Blaine.
haG fha
al flag against domestic enemies and. for
eign rivals, and has not been in undignified
haste to haul down the stars and stripes
for fear of offending alien Intermediates.
g.. Because Ii is liberal in it's dealings
with the old soldiers of the Union and dis
dams to practice a beggarly experiment of
economy against men who saved the Ma
ton, when their critics were in arms
against it, or else applauding those who
were.
10. Because the progress of the great Re-
public, under the administration of the Re
publican party, has been without parallel
In ancient or modern history, and because
that party has proved itself equal to the
task of rectifying errors OF policy without
loss Of consistency or prestige.
IL. Because /. believe that "Irishmen and
Catholics" like all other American citi-
Zens, should take sides, according TO their
lights, as Americans. on all American po-
litical issues.
IL. Because / believe that nothing more
fatal to the interests Of the Irish people in
America could occur than to be the slaves
of any single political party, simply be-
cause they are bound to Ii by q tradition
which may well be defined as a political
superstition.