The Irish standard., 1888-02-25

Imoting games, and participate in ex-
ercises OF mental and moral improve.
mant, there would be sufficient ground
[established for generous public re-
cognition Of such an institution zap.
lplause) Balls. concerts, and other
1such entertainments are feature of
the club, and should inyite the atten.
tion of young people who were partial
to such amusements. Passing to gen.
|eral consi 1erations, Mr.. Bavitt said
But it may be objected that the bene.
fetal results from all this special atten-
tjon to the wants OF the industrial
lclasses is not at all commensurate with
the sympathy which public writers and
public men now bestow upon them
This is true, but the fault, in my opin-
ion, is attributable to the slowness or
apathy with which workingmen
themselves have moved in the matter
|.of their own social advancement (hear,
Ehear). They do not manifest an active
or very keen interest in questions which
closely affect them in their position as
responsible citizens (hear. 11ear). 1t is
not only necessary to interest them.
selves in such questions as the better
housing Of their own class. the proper
sanitation of their dwellings, the law
affecting the adulteration of food, and
50 on; workingmen ought to see to it
that such advantages shall be placed
within their reach and that of their fam
lies (applanse). 1t does not follow tAat
because Parliament is becoming dem
ocratic CT a municipal council is largely
National that everything proposed in
either place FOR the benefit of the in
dustrlal classes will be faithfully or in
telligently or economically carried out
{hear, hear). 1t will depend entirely
upon the intelligent activity OF work.
ingmen themselves whether or not they
and their children are to reap the
benefit or eRjoy;the rights which legis-
lative or municipal bodies are: com.
PEELED by public opinion to place within
their reach. I think that these are
matters which could be discussed in
| this club and some kind of action taken
thereon. without an infringement Of the
rule which preciudes political partisan
ship. You are citizens as wellas work
ingmen, and as such you ought to per-
|. form whatever duties will be required
FOR the eobtainHent or the advantages
which an active interest therein would
insure. Depend upon it that if any
class in the community neglects to look
after its own especial interests, the re.
preventative of other classes will nottake
very much trouble in their behalf. This
is especially true of the working clas-
ses: Numbers will advocate your cause,
it depends upon your own activity but
whetheror or not you are to reap. any ben
eft out of such advocacy. I think this
club. embracing as it does some OF best
educated workingman: in. this city,
might be made an active agent in the
promotion Of such reforms within the
city as would add materially to your ad-
vantage, comfort and convenience Zap
plausel. There is another work which
this club could perform of non .politi-
Cal character, which stands urgently in
need of serious public attention. That
is the encouragement, of home indus
tries (applause). am not one of those
who believe that we should buy only
such things as our own country can
produce. That would be very narrow
kind of Nationalism {hear, .hear). Man
kind is bigger than any country, and
countries are rapidly becoming more
and m 1re like family members Of one
vast civilized community. Lands and
people far apart are becoming interde:
pendent upon each other for many in
Indispensable obje of our existence;
and thinkir is only m alter Of few
years uutil We shall see som 3thing like
universal fre trade and free excnan 20
ofinternational comm odities j.. But I do
believe that when a country like ours
produces IN aterial as We'll aad as cheap
as any other country thai Va are under
anational obligation to support tue in
dusty. which produces them (applause)
Such a:pa,rona2e would benefit no class
of the comm atty more than the work
ingmea themselves, aud it ought there.
fore be a matter Of active interest for:
the workers Of D Dlblin aud the rest of
Ireland to prom )te as far as possible
our Irish manufactures (appl&use)
These industries are str juggling for q
new existence. External opinion is re-
cognizing the fact, and along with it
excellence of .som3.of our. productions.
But Icannol say that,the people OF Ire.
land are them ;elve showing any very
deep practical interest in the life or