A LEAGUE OF ENGLISH SPEECH.
(To THE EDITOR OP THE "SFECTATOR.1 SIR,—Your issue of January 28th reached me late. If the subject of Sir Bampfylde Fuller's letter is not shelved I
should like to add a word to emphasise your ,editorial note
thereto. The idea that the Irish grievance is an offence between the United States and Britain, and that the influence of the Irish in America keeps the two nations estranged—or, as you put it, prevents "a good understanding "—is a mistake of British public men. Such an idea has never been admitted or recognised here by thoughtful Americans. I have been in
this country eight years. I was possessed of the idea when I came, and in some "orations" (on public holidays) of the minor politicians of Boston and New York I found what I thought was confirmation. Better knowledge, a clearer discrimination between the local noisy politicians of the East Coast towns and the substantial statesmen of the country, and frequent discussion on this very subject have convinced me that the Irish element here has no perceptible voice in the policy of the United States, or its diplomacy, or its adminis- tration. Frederio Harrison wrote some years ago that the power of the United States came from the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio. (See an essay on his visit to U.S.A.) The men of that Middle West shape this country's history and guide its policy. A leading American lawyer—not a politician—used these words to me lately :— "You will find no Irishman on our Supreme Court Bench, nor has there over been one. None on the Bench of our Higher State Courts. No Irishman has ever been a Governor of a State. They are trying to put one in now in New York State. See the result."
The Irish element keeps together here and has ambitions, but its very cohesion is unworthily utilised by the minor politicians of the municipalities. Beyond that it has no influence.—I am, Sir, &c., SCOTORIIM.
New York, February 16th, 1911.
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