[Wallace T.]

You have fallen prey to revisionist history promoted by liberals, including those in the liberal wing of the Catholic Church. You forget that both North and South had Irish born or second generation Irish American generals such as Phil Sheridan and Patrick Cleburne. For that matter, both sides had generals who were at least nominal Catholics: the Union general William Sherman (mother was Irish Catholic) and Confederate general Pierre Beauregard (Louisiana French Creole). Jefferson Davis received his elementary education at a Catholic boarding school in Kentucky. Robert E. Lee had a nephew who was a Catholic priest.

No one denies that there was poor treatment of Irish Catholic immigrants at times. However, let us not forget that other groups, including Mormons, German Americans, Italian Americans, blacks, and the Scotch-Irish (many of whom were indentured servants in colonial times) received treatment that was far harsher than what the Irish Catholics received. In fact, in the case of Italian Americans and blacks, Irish Catholic Americans were as guilty of discrimination and prejudice as were their British Protestant neighbors. Neither Italian Americans, German Americans, nor Mormons whine as much as do some Irish Americans.

The liberals have pushed a line of "the Irish as victims" for the express purpose of enlisting Irish Americans in support of such leftist causes as unrestricted immigration and affirmative action. Unfortunately, this line of propaganda has been successful.

[Ditto]

In fact, in the case of Italian Americans and blacks, Irish Catholic Americans were as guilty of discrimination and prejudice as were their British Protestant neighbors.

That has been my observation as well. When growing up in the 50s, the more recent the immigrant, the more prejudice they showed toward blacks.

[sully777]

I'm Irish on my father's side. I'm conservative. I'm not Catholic. I have a general idea of my family's history as far back as the 4th Century, further if you consider the Irish Annals as history.

Most notable is my awareness of my recent family history. Therefore, I think you're barking up the wrong tree. My point stands firm.

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