AN ENEMY OF THE IRISH PEOPLE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 257, 5 April 1878, Page 3

AN ENEMY OF THE IRISH PEOPLE.

The N. V.Nation, edited by an Irishman, Mr. E. L. Godkin, seeks after opportunity to dispraise and revile the Irish people. We cannot say that the editor is the author or originator of these articles ; but as he must be aware of their malicious nature he is responsible for the attacks. In a recent review of A. M. Sullivan's " New Ireland," the Nation takes occasion to say :—: — " There is probably no country in the world to which the average Irish peasant was less fitted to come as regards moral and mental outfit than the United States. He never gets here more than, an imperfect comprehension of the laws and manners, and their effect on him is to destroy or greatly enfeeble some of his most valuable prejudices and traditions, without supplying any better to take their place as motives or guides. In fact, the Irish people would not have been fit for emigration to this country as things have gone and are going before the year 1925 ; and if it we're not for their children's sake one would -regret that it began any sooner." It is astonishing that an intelligent paper should allow into its columns a charge so vindictive and so easily disproved. There is not an intelligent reader of the Nation who has not stamped the assertion as unfounded, and wondered at its appearance. We, who have observed the peculiar subtle hatred of the Irish running through the columns of Tlie Nation, are not surprised, except at its coarseness. It is not necessary to bring evidence to show that the Irish element is the strongest and most beneficial in the population of the Republic. The stores and workshops of every town in the Union prove it. Every great national and private enterprise proves it. "The war f ot the Union proved it. The rolls of the professions prove it. The only men that venture to deny it are those lacqueys of a foreign government who, either from inherited dislike or for pay, continue to misrepresent and belittle the Irish race. As to their mental outfit, we appeal to their record in America, that bristles with distinguished names ; and as to their moral outfit, we proudly turn to the statistics of their native country, prepared by enemies, that prove them the most law-abiding people' in Europe. The Irish, of all emigrants, are the first to assimilate to the people of this country. The outfit which they bring to America is health, strength, and courage, and honest hearts that resist oppression and hate intolerance. Though they have been followed to this Republic by the enmity of the Government that ought to protect them, and by the slander and vituperation of its powerful press ; and though the poor inoffensive immigrants, who only come here to do hard, honest work, have been met on. these shores by constant disparagement and obloquy from that part of the American Press that lackeys after every ;thing English — in spite of all this, by the inherent stamina of the trace, which is now probably the hardiest, healthiest, and purest white race in existence, they are increasing more rapidly than any other people in numbers and influence throughout the English-speaking world. The spurious liberalism of such critics as Tlie Nation they despise. Pretenders to liberalism, like this critic, can never impose upon the Irish. They. are a shrewd people. They are accustomed, to injustice, and it does not worry them. They have had to contend against oppression so long that it makes no impression on them. Revilement of the Irish is thrown away. They grow because of the immense inner strength of the race ; and the spiteful opposition of vindictive enemies is an insect barrier to their progress. — Pilot.