The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-07-16

They are thankful for it, and desire to
continue their independence Of that ma
ton. When the original colonies shook
of English rule they did so because they
could no longer endure the hand of the
oppressor. The course which England
followed at that time in depressing it's
colonies has been followed year after
year. and it is a peculiar circumstance
that the country which felt itself COM
PEELED to fight for its own liberty, in
stead of extending sympathy to those
who have no means of freeing them:
selves from British oppression, should
ask for closer relations with its former
enemy.
There is no page of American history
that is not blurred with the details OF
English treachery. After the American
government had been established, and
the ability of the people to govern them
selves had been demonstrated, English
hatred followed it constantly, and mude
use of every opportunity which present.
ed itself to harass our government, and
to injure its standing among the ma
lions of the world. England was
Americas early foe. We do NOT need i'm
alliance. Notwithstanding British upno-
sltlon this country has grown, and has
assumed and maintained for many years
the highest standing among the nations
OF the world. Why should it be nsuya-
sary now TO enter into an alliance which
would open for lis the possibilities OF all
Kinds OF interferencs, war, and trouble
with other nations which have ALWAYS
maintained towards us the l!.u,t friendly
relations. The American people are
perfectly satisfied With ,;l!e position
which their government %. upi.s
But we arc told that there Z, Il Row
era in the history ol this country. Ii is
pointed out to us that Dewg3' has Won
a victory; that the Philippine Islands
are practically oHls; that other islands
Will come into our possession, and dat
to protect them we mast have an aii-
ance with some foreign power.
We are ready to tell our government
that If these new possessions so weak
en- the American nation that it can no
longer stand upon its cwn feet, and .hat
If the sturdy oak. which has faced so
many storms and has always withstooij
them, is to be so weakened that it has
10 be upheld in order thai it may not
TAIL, We do not want these possession
was heretofore. There is no necessity for
additional territory. There is no nccas-
siIy for war of conquest. We will
tight our battles for humanity, and hay
ing accomplished the task we will NOT
ask for the spoils.
But again they tell lis that DIR COM
mercial interests are so closely inter-
woven with England that an alliance
with that country is most desirable for
our people. DO these gentlemen mean to
tell us that We would get one dollar of
British gold that does not come to HIS
because they cannot buy the needed
products anywhere else? Do they mea,
TO tell us that the hatred of less than
one hundred, nay. of less that fifty
years ago has turned to such fraterno]
Keeling and brothcrly love that tl,,v
are anxious to enter into commerciai
dealings with us which arc not forcr.,
upon them by necessity? Those WIN
would tell us that and Would have rs
believe it must first wipe from the mnm
Dry OF the American people all tl,,ir
connection with England heretoforc
They must be able to burn every book
mat contains American history, and thcy
must show us the British character in
an entirely different light from what wc
nave known 1t heretofore. .
Again they point to one of the British.
colonies located at the very doors of oar
country. They point to Canada. and
ask us II it would not he desirable to en-
ter into an alliance with Great Britain
lof the sake OF entering into closer rcla
lions with that one of her colonies
res favor closer relation with that
BRUSH colony. 1t has been my good
fortune TO become thoroughly acuualnt-
ed with it. | have admired its awc-in-
spring mountains, its beautiful valleys
It's majestic rivers. have learned I'm
appreciate what the country might he.
ZONE II above it floatcd the flag OF ill.,
bfty. l have learned to apprccio,c
above all other things it's people, who
are close to us because they think os
we 90, they feel as we do. and they ar.
with us in every sentiment. desire
union with Canada, and one of lhe
reasons why we should oppose the alII
hnce with the English government is
because it would remove into tho dis
tant future any closer relation with orr
canadian ncighbors than that which tha
hlllance would give us, ard for ono M
Ell with American patriotism would
taVor union with Canada which would
place the stars and stripes upon every
ohe OF It's forts, so that it might taste
american liberty. and under it devotion
It's many resources. As truly as hone.
that at some time or another our Irish
friends may be able to celebrate thc lih
erty of those they have left at home g,
sincerely do hope that a. time may coma
when we as American citizens may cv-
tend to the CANADIAN +bn ,,,,I -, 49,,