Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-09-25
LEADING lRISHMAN
C0MMENDS BECKHAM
Says Senator's Position On Irish
Question Is ALI That Anyone
Should Desire Now
Especial To Daily Register)

| Louisville, KY, Sept. 25-Judge
Matt O'Doherty, a prominent at
torney and one of Louisville
leading citizens of Irish birth, to-
day commended strongly the
stand of Senator J. c. w. Beck
ham, in refusing to favor recog-
milton of, the Irish republic in its
present form. Born in Ireland
and thoroughly conversant with
the needs of that unfortunate
country, Judge O'Doherty ey-
presse dthe poinion that no Amer
lean citizen whether of Irish or
any other connection, can take Of
tense at the candor and courage
of Senator Beckham's position.
Everyone at all acquainted
with Senator Beckham," said
Judge O'Doherty, knows that
the distinguishing features of his
character are courage and candor.
He answers the question pro-
pounded to him becomingly and
no friend of the Irish cause should
take Offense. | know the gentle
men composing the committee
which asked the question and
have high regard for them. | can
not, however, believe that the
propriety of propounding such d
question to o'the candidates for the
Senate or House or Representa-
tives, wa sas fully considered as it
should have been The gentle
men would, l feel sure, be among
the last who would wish to give
the impression of so unjust to cit
1zens of Irish birth or descent
that their course in American pol
1tics is to be controlled in any
measure by conditions or ques-
tionS ther than those immediate
ly affecting American interests.
The people of Ireland or of Eng
land need no new assurance as to
the sentiment or feeling of the
United States, or their represen-
tatlves on the Irish question. The
public sentiment of this Cnutry.
without regard to party, is now
and has been from the beginning
overwhelmingly on the side OF
Ireland in her centuries struggle
for independence, just as the sen
timent and public opinion of Ire
land were overwhelmingly on the
side of the colonies during their
struggle.
But when a candidate for the
Senate of the United States was
asked whether in given contin-
gency, he would cast vote which
under the existing circumstances,
might, as Senator Beckham point
ed out. involve this country in
war with a foreign power, there
was but one possible answer to
the question. Senator Backham
gave that answer and SO far from
tortelting thereby the good opin-
ION. estee NOR confidence of the
American citizens or Irish birth
or descent, it has as | happen to
know, and as it should do. but
raised him in their estimation
Citizens of Irish birth or descent
have not given nor do not give a
divided allegiance to the Flag of
our country. They are Americans.
tlrst and before all else, while
never wavering in their affection
ate regard for the land of their
ancestors. Indeed, am one OF
those who believe that notwith-
standing all the. turmoil of the
present, notwithstanding the
many and grievous mistakes that
have been made on both side, a
working agreement between the
peoples of England and Ireland
will yet be found which without
IN any way menacing the power
or prestige of England, will give
to Ireland that measure of indie
pendence and control of her own
affairs without which as centuries
OF bitter strife has attested, there
can be no lasting peace between
them.
81 doubt if a corporaPs guard
OF representative Americans OF
any political party could be found
who would not be willing to do all
that could reasonably be demand
ed of them to hasten such a con-
summation and none. | am sure
more willingly or gladly than
Senator Beckham. The great
need of the present day is men
like Senator Beckham with the
courage of their convictions.