The Irish standard., 1905-11-25

upon the Irish people. We have never
endeavored to foment strife, because
of differences in race or religion. We
are as heartily in favor of true Amer
icanism as the Free Press o. any othe.
newspaper. Americanism, however, is
susceptible of different meanings. Am
orleans in the time of Washington
meant very different thing from what
1t appears to mean in the estimation
of many at the present time. At that
time practically all Americans believed
in the sentiments expressed in Wash
ington's Farewell Address. We were
not seeking in those days to form al
liances with other countries for the
purpose of suppressing weaker ma
tons. On the other hand, we main
tanned that our proper position in the
world was to refrain from entanglln5
alliances with any nation. Only few
days ago when an English fleet was
anchored in the waters Of the harbor
of New York a meeting was held l.:
Cooper's Union, of the United Irish
Societies in that city, to protest against
the purposes Of the visit Of the Eng
lish squadron to America. The
speeches delivered on that occasion by
Justice Bowling of the supreme court
and of Senator Towne reiterated TIE
sentiments that Americans enterta!.:el
during the Revolutionary days. We sub
nit that the action of the United Irish
Societies in New York were more AM
erican than the toadying in certain
quarters toward representatives of that
power which has always been most op-
posed to true Americanism. If the
Free Press should define Americanism
to mean such policies as are alvo-
Gated by the New York Times ana
other papers of its kind we have rs
hesitancy in saying that we are o.
posed to such Americanism.
We are also opposed to that Kind Of
Americanism which was exemptiliei
in a later period in the nations hist
DRY by the cry of America for Ameri-
cans" which was so popular in some
quarters during the years Immediate
ly preceding the Civil War. If tnat
kind of Americanism had prevailed N
our country neither the editor OF the
had any voice in the affairs of this
country. We are opposed to that kind
of Americanism and it might be vel!
to state that it was that movement
which prompted the starting of the
first Irish paper in this country. We
are also opposed to that kind of Am
ericanism which was advocated by a
very recent organization known as thu.
American Protective Association the
object of which was to defeat any and
all Catholics who might aspire to Of
flee.
We are also opposed to thar kind nf
Americanism which but a few years
ago prevented our nation from express.
ing sympathy with the efforts of a
brave and patriotic people in South
Africa in their efforts to preserve for
govern themselves. 1t will be remem-
bered in speaking of Americanism that
every effort that was ever made in
this country to curtail human rights
was carried on in the name of Ameri-
canism. In our conception Of Ameri-
canism it is not necessary in order to
be true American to suppress all
sympathy for the oppressed Of other
lands nor is it necessary to abandon
the natural sentiments which every
man entertains for race and father
land. The United States has become
great nation because of the people
that have come to our shores from
other lands and in spite of the narrow
prejudices that have always existed
against foreigners. We are seeking,
dear Free Press, to do our mite to pre-
serve this land as tarem for the OPP
pressed of every country. We would
have it remain as it was from the be-
ginning, an example to encourage 9TH
err people to strive for liberty. If
now and then we Cypress a hope that
members of our race in Ireland may
succeed in throwing off the yoke of
foreign rule, does that make us less
American? If we do. in proper cases,
insist that the constitutional provision
guaranteeing liberty of conscience
should be observed in practice as well
as in theory, are we to be accused Of
perpetuating prejudices. No people
ever suffered more because of preju-
dice than the Irish, and none would
be benefited more today If race preju-
dice could be entirely destroyed. +.
DOUGLAS HYDE.
DR.. Douglas Hyde, president of the
Gaelic League, who is row in this
country in the interest of the move