The Irish standard., 1899-09-23
..,..., .,...,.,. 1iaa..
His Grandfather Was Opposed to
The '98 Patriots.
WAS A MAN OF DESPICABLE MEMORY
The Chief Claims Descent From
A Different Breed.

The following sketch OF Dick Croker
and his ancestors in Ireland appeared
in the August number Of New York
monthly called "Knickerbocker and his
Island" 1t is reproduced in these col
uInns because it makes interesting read
ing. 1t is evidently from the pen OF a
republican partisan OF the Platt school
OF politics and must be taken with big
grain OF salt. No man in this age
should be blamed for what his grand
father did. Dick Croker is a willy politi-
clan, but that does not necessarily make
him bad man. The Mazet smelling
committee has not yet produced any
evidence to convict him OF any wrong
doing. The following article is in
tended to prejudice the Irish against
him:
"Breathes there aman with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said
This is my own, my native land?'
There is one thing above all others
that patriotic Irishman prides himself
upon, and that is his love for his native
land. Distance may lend enchantment
to other scenes and time may bow the
head and palsy the limb, but the Irish
mans first and last love, first and last
thought is-Ireland. Poor indeed is
the Irishman who does not carry in his
heart loyal feeling of affection for the
old sod, and beggar is the son of Erin
who does not ever cherish in memory
sweet recollection OF that fairest of all
isles, made famous by her ever-famous
sons; by the sweet songs of Ossian, the
eloquence of Burke, the poetry Of
Moore, the martyrdom of Emmet and
the gallant struggle of the heroic and
faithful Parnel. OF all nationalities on
the face of the earth, there are none more
patriotic, none possessed with greater
love of country, than the Irish. 1t is
the delight OF his childhood, the Joy OF
his old age, to feel that Ireland was the
place OF his birth. He may become a
citizen of another country, but he is
always true to the old love, for Ireland
he calls home. Next to his devotion to
the land of his birth, the land of his
fathers, is his undying hatred towards
those who betrayed their country, as
Judas betrayed Christ; those who were
traitors to the cause for which every
patriotic Irishman fought, many OF
whom shed their blood and gave up
their lives just one hundred years ago,
that Ireland might be free. The life OF
that noble figure in Irish history, that
patriot and martyr whose name is held
in sacred reverence by every loyal Irish
man-Robcrt Emmet-was sacrificed
by those who sold out Ireland to the
British government-just one hundred
years ago. 1t is of this conspiracy, this
crime, would tell you, of the man who
is now engaged here in "private busi-
ness" whose grandfather and grand
uncle were opposed to the independence
of Ireland, opposed to Robert Emmett,
opposed to all that the Irish hold
most dear, opposed to Ireland, false to
every principle Of Irish manhood and
of Irish patriotism-just one hundred
years ago. These facts have come into
my possession through the courtesy Of
an Irish gentleman who has kindly per-
mitted ME to make use of the docu-
ments, now yellow with age, which
prove beyond shadow of doubt the
truth of the statement 1 here make, and
challenge the renegade Croker of rem
egade Croker fame to disprove what 1
am about to say. IT'S in the blood; he
comes naturally by the instincts and
traits that are unnatural to every loyal
1rishman and to every honest man. Is
it any wonder that this fellow at one
time occupied cell in murderers' row
at the Tombs? Is it any wonder that he
has always proved false to those who
hefriended him? Is it any wonder that
he has betrayed the democratic party?
Is it any wonder that he has pillaged
and looted everything here that he
could lay his hands upon? Is it any
wonder that Dick Croker 'likes Eng
land and English CUSTOMS" is "more
English than the English" and spends
his money lavishly in England" don't
-you-know?
All Americans, as we'll as all Irish
men, know what Hessian means and the