A Renter's telegram, in Monday's Times, gives an account of
a dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, held at Delmonico's, New York. Mr. Choate, an American, in the course of his speech, after reminding his hearers how much Irishmen had done for America, asked them how long they were going to allow Ireland to be made the football of England. "You have learned how to govern. By making the soil of all other countries your own, have you not learned how to govern at home, how to make Ireland the land of Home-rule?" This sally was not very well received; but Mr. Choate went still further with his suggested remedy for the ills of Ireland. "I propose that all of you, with your wives, your children, and your children's children, with the spoil you have taken from America in your hands, set your faces homeward, that you land there, and strike the blow." At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Choate was applauded, but the cheering, we are told, "was not so cordial as that with which he was received on commencing his address." There was also some sup- pressed hissing. The incident is more than merely amusing. It shows the real feeling in regard to the Irish Question enter- tained in America. Notwithstanding the patent absurdity of such a notion, thousands of Americans believe that if Home-rule were granted, the men who " boss " the American cities, and get " boodle " out of every paving contract, would betake themselves to their native land. That is a delusion. Home-rule is far more likely to double Irish emigration.
