The Irish standard., 1900-03-03
THEIR MOTIVES misunderstood.


sympathy with the Bocrs in their gal
liant struggle against England they are
told by British that it is ow-
ing to prejudice on their part; that they
are swayed by hatred against the "mo-
ther country; and that whether Eng
land is right or wrong she is sure to
be opposed by hereditary enemies. That
is the style of argument employed by
British sylnpatllizcrs when discussing
the Anglo-Bocr war with Irisl,-Ameri-
cans. When asked if England is right
in waging war against the two little
republics OF South Africa they cmphat-
ically answer in the affirmative, and re-
peat the oit-reiutcd outrages on the
utlandcrs. When informed that some
OF the leading Englishmen have op-
posed the war, these Anglo-Amcricans
will answer that they are Liberals who
have been talking for political effect.
AS regards the Irisl-Americans, it
would be folly to deny that they hate
the British government for its treat
ment OF their native land, and that
nothing would give them greater plea
sure than the complete destruction Of
that tyrannical oligarchy which has
made the Emerald Isle the Nlobe OF
Nations" No man with real Irish blood
in his veins who is familiar with the
history OF Ireland can be expected to
wish success to England in any war;
but in the South African war in which
the freedom OF a brave but weak people
is at stake, every true man of the Irish
race hopes that the royal brigand Of the
nations will never succeed in robbing
the Beers of their possessions.
When Irish-Americans voice their
sentiments in behalf OF the Bocrs they
are simply doing what every American
citizen should do If he prefers repub-
lican form OF government to a mon
arcfy. Had Russia or Germany made a
war OF aggression on any republic on
earth, as England is making i'll South
Africa, the citizens OF Irish descent in
the land OF Washington would sympa-
thizc with the republic every time and
dcnouncc the land-grabbcr who would
force an imperial government on any
people against their consent. The citi-
zcns OF Irs, extraction in this country
are opposed to the Mckinley admins
tration for the same reason. They be-
licve in the Declaration OF lndepcn-
dcncc, and they will do their utmost to
protect it inviolatc against the macllna-
tions OF degenerate Americans of Brit
ish ancestry who would, il they could,
make this republic dependency OF
Great Britain.
To say the least, American citizens OF
Irish lineage have the same right to
dislike England and her wars Of con-
quest as American citizens of English
origin have to admire and love her. The
citizens of Irish descent have no han
kcring after royalty and aristocracy and
can be depended on if ever war breaks
out between the United States and
Great Britain. The Americans of Brit
ish stock would waver if such war
took place, and as in Revolutionary
days and during the Civil War many OF
them instead OF fighting for a united
republic would scamper into Canada.
And as regards Canada, few words
are in order. The people of that Brit
ish dependency have shown their loyalty
to England by sending troops against
the republics OF South Africa. When
ever the day comes, and come it inevi-
itably will, that clash occurs between