Speech #470056846

I stand hero to say if anything would endanger the glory of the Stars and Stripes or risk the honor of this country. even if it resulted in the liberation of my own beloved native land. I would pause and vote against it if I thought it would inflict one blot on the American flag. If you tell me that it is necessary for these American citizens of Irish birth to remain in jail twelve months longer. if you want me to say. althongh I am not authorized to say it. but I believe I can do so. in behalf of these IrishAmerican citizens. if it is necesnsary for the honor of the United States that they shall remain. and that one hundred thousand more of our naturalized citizens shall go over and lie in jail to save the American banner from disgrace and the American nane from dishonor. we are ready for the sacrifice. or if war shall be proclaimed. and hundreds of thousands of men are needed to sustain our flag. we are ready for that. too. I wish to say that I would be the first volunteer to go at the head of these men to lie in jail for the honor of the American name. I would be willing to resign my seat here and take my place with OMahoney and MeEnery and others that are there now and should remain. however unwholesome the prison may be. and die there if it is necessary to preserve the glory of the Stars and Stripes. [Applause.J I have said enough on that subject. but I now mean to protest most earnestly against the abominable doctrine advocated here today that we should lint that disgrace and degradation on our people. that they should sneak out of a country with which we are at peace with the brand on them that they shall never return.