The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-01-20

The railroad lands are worth six or seven dol
lars an acre, but by the use of railroad bonds in
! their purchase the cost to the settlers will not
be over Sl,75 an acre. Bishop Ireland and
Fathers McDermott and McGolrick return
ed last evening from De Graft station, located
about ten miles southeast Of Benson, the
county seat OF Swift county, which will be the
centre OF the colony, where they personally in
spected the land and its surroundings, and they
express themselves more than delighted at the
favorable prospects OF this commendable enter
prise.
As soon as the weather permits, Roman
Catholic church and school house will be built
at DeGratf, and Father McDermott will he trans
TERED to that point, to superintend the work OF
construction, and to receive and dispose of the
colonis;s as last as they arrive. 1t is proposed
to sell these lands only to the better class of
Irish people, whe will require at least $500 in
cash to purchase their la! DIS and get favor
able start i'll life at their new homes. It will be
stipulated that no liquor selling will be allowed
III the settlem- mt, and every effort will be made
to limit the sale OF lands to those who will i'm :
prove them at once, and who have DISPOSE
ton to become what they can be in very few
years, rich and Independent farmers.
This grand colonization scheme is already
so far advanced that there is no doubt of the
ultimate and complete accomplishment of all
that It's projectors nave Ill view. Those who
know the lndonltable spirit Of Bishop Ireland
are sure that he will not sleep in peace until
his irish county Is thoroughly settled with
thrifty agriculturists. The work of collecting
the families VIII commence at once and as soon
as sp.ing opens the stream of settlers will turn
towards Swift county, the railroad company
having agreed to make special arrangements III
tier behalf, including ha!f-are rates OF trans
poftaton thlthrr.
This is true religion to furnish homes
for the homeless to help the struggling
to help themselves. When churches APP
ply themselves To such work they com
mand the respect even Of scotfers.
Ibis Is the beginning of a great future
The Catholic church can help the work
o. colonization more than any other in
stitution; for no other institution com
mands so much OF the respect and obedl-
ence OF its followers. Bishop Ireland
has opened the path which the whole
church must 10 low To thin out
the superbundant population of the ole
world is to help those who migrate anc
those who remain. 1t gives to those
who migrate homes, opportunity and
| p entv; ii increases the chances OF those
who remain 10y diminishing competition
A dense population means an intense
| struggle tor the means OF life, great boy
ertY and great sin. To thin out pcpu.
lation by colonization is TO promote vir
tue
What other church will follow Bisho,
lreland's example? What other chuTct
will he Up its poor people to homes? lie
the cry 90 forth Lands tor the landless
homes tor the homeless; bread for thu
| breadless. That is unaduterated chris
tianity such as Christ preached, when h,
fed the swarming multitudes with tn,
five loaves and two fishes.