The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-05
IRISH CATHOLIC COLONIES.
MASS MEETING or UORKING PEOPLE
IN COOPER INSTITUTE.


WV
Speeches by Judge Brady, Archbishops Ire
land aud spauIding, and John Keny-six
Thousand Dollars Additional Subscribed.
mass meeting in the interest Of Irish
Catholic colonization was held last evening in
Cooper Institute. Men thronged the sidewalk
before the closed entrance to the great
hall Of the Institute at o'clock. As tho
doors were opened at ia o'clock there was
rush. Men lost their footing. and must have
been crushed to death had not the pressure OF
numbers on every side upheld them. The seats
in the hall were almost filed at once. Then
mon came with their wives and children, and
at o'clock there were no vacant seats. Tho
ushers wero members OF tho Young Mems
Catholic Lyceum. undor whose auspices the
meeting was called. directed by Father Ducey
their pastor. Upon the stage were Bishop
Spading Of Peoria and Bishop Ireland OF St
Paul. Fathers Donnelly. Riordon, Kelly. Dr.
McGlynn. and many other priests; Eugene
Kelly. John Kelly. p. V. Hickey. and other
distinguished Catholic laymen. Judge Brady
presided.
Bishop Ireland said that he and Bishop
| SpaldinR appeared rs the representa-
tivcs OF the Irish Catholic Colonization Asso-
citation. an organization formed lately in Chi
cago. On last st. Patrick's Day. ut the invita-
in that city in the interest OF Irish Catholic Colo
nization. The delegates. representing several
| large cities. felt that 1t was the most suitable
| time to agitate the question. A month later. at
| their request. a number Of Bishops and laymen
met in the same city TO devise q plan to make
Irish Catholic colonization an assured success.
| The result OF the thought and labor Of these
| Bishops and laymen was the organization ofthe
Irish Catholic Colonization Association. Its
object is to encourage colonization in
tho West; its method to invite Irish
men to quit the over-crowded cities.
| mill. or factory towns and mining dis
| trcts. and seek homes on the soil. In the
| West they see a great tide OF emigation
| from all parts OF the world bearing the land
| marks Of civilization flity miles westward every
| year. They SEQ how prosperous and happy
| these Immigrants are. and how few are Irish.
| come to the over populated East and tell the
Irish people of this prosperity and happiness.
| general IL not advocated by the association.
| They ask Irishmen 10 90 where they can have
society-to Michigan. Nebraska, Dakota Wis
| consin, or Minnesota, whore there are flourish
ing Irish settlements. lAppauscl Most OF
these settlers came from great cities. apparently
untitled for farming. but, with their natural in
genuity. they soon adapted themselves
TO their new circumstances; and to-day they
are more at home on the broad prairie
than in the crowded tenement tAppause.l
Perhaps the greatest work that the late Gen.
Shields did will live long after him. In 1857 he
established an Irish settlement in Minnesota.
To-day there are 500 farmers with their fami
lies rejoicing in comfort and peace in this
settlement. Great applausel The settlement
extends over four townships. named in way
| to send "A thrill to every loyal Irish heart
ShedsyIlle, Montgomery. Kilkenny. and
Erin. Within the last three years in
been Ta' put into 'yR the hands Of Irishmen. and
they are all on the road To- Independence. The
association desires 20 be able to meet any man
half way who has $3.50 or $500 at his disposal.
| As soon as tho capital stock Of the association.
fixed at 800 900. land. say 10000 acres is to be
| bought 1t Is TO be- ploughcd. and chapes and
cottages are TO be built here and there upon il.
| The colonists will be invited to purchase forty
acre tracts. in alternate sections. on long time.
receive the seed and while the colonlstls await
| ing his harvest he can maintain MS family with
a part IT his little store ot money. The assosa-
tiOn will provide implements FOR the saving OF
the harvest With three or iour harvests an in
owner Of his nome. The association will re-
serve the alternate sections, and sell them
to more prosperous settlers at prices
made large by the surrounding improve
ments, and so establish fund Tor
The association asks no gratuity. II asks only
investments of money whereon interest shall
he paid. 10 be expended for the benefit o. count
less Irish Catholics. On the evening after the
organization was formed $4,000 was sub
scrbed 10 the capital stock. and on Friday even
ing $4,000 was added in the rooms Of the
one penny Is payable until 100000 has been
Bishop spalding said that in his diocese
there are forty townships inhabited by Irish
farmers. distinguished boy almost traditional
virtues. But they settled there many years ago
Now land ranges in price from $3.50 10 $3.50 per
acre and not one OF the colOnists from the East
could find home in his diocese. on the other
hand. some OF the poorer persons there must
seek the new colonies. and his blessing will go
with them. tAuplauscl
John Kelly said that he heartily approves the
object and method Of the association. He has
no doubt that money may be safely invested in
its stock.
Archbishop Spalding read telegram author
izng him 10 subscribe for five shares in behalf
OF Archbishop Gibbons Of Baltimore and five
for Miss Emily Harper, granddaughter o
Charles Carroll Of Carroon. Then the ushers
circulated the cards. Soon they returned to the
stage with cards inscribed with pledges fol
SO 100 worth of the stock
Subscriptions will be received in the rooms
Of the Young Mems Catholic Lyceum, BishoI
given there 10 prospective colonists.