The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-07-08
LADY ABERDEEN.
The Scotch Irish Countess Writes
\ on the Manufacturing Possi-
bilities Of Ireland.
INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION.
It's Object is to Give Employment
to the Young Men and Maid
m ems at Home.

to the Young Men and Maid
ems at Home.
Those who are familiar with Lady
Aberdeen 81 labors in promoting Irish in
dustries, an example Of which is seen in
the establishment of an Irish village at
the Worlds Fair, will be interested in
the following article from her pen
which appears in Upward and Onward:
Irish Industries! Irish industries! The
name has become familiar to us of late
years. We hear constantly of sales, of
depots and Of associations for this object
but I think many of us would be puz-
zled to give an answer if We asked what
il all meant. Probably We should muir
mur something about it's being char
liable work to help the poor peasants OF
distressed ladies in Ireland, and we
should further say that SOME Of the Irish
lace was very beautiful, but that it was
unfortunately, beyond the capabilities
OF most peoples purses. And there the
matter ends, and probably both inquirer
and answerer turn away, concluding that
the subject had no special claim on their
interest or attention. But we cannot
leave you off SO easily, and SO We now In
vite you to transport. yourselves for a
brief space to the distressful country,
and examine into the conditions of affairs
which make some Of US so eager to help
forward the manufacture and sale of
goods made in the homes of the people.
And, first, fetus go down to one Of the
great Atlantic liners, waiting off Queens
town for her consignment of living
freight for the new world, and see who
they are that make UP this company of
200, 400 or 400 em1grants leaving their
homes, their country they love SO we'll, to
seek their fortunes beyond the seas.
How does it come about that these
strong, bright-eyed lads and lasses are
not wanted at home in land which
yearly mourns her decreasing popula-
tion? Do you ask the reason why? Then
travel round Ireland for yourself, 60 into
the cottages, and talk to the gentle,
courteous inmates, who give the strang-
ers SO Kind a'weloome. Orit you cannot
do this 60 to the, books which tell us Of
Irish peasant life; look at such pictures
as Miss Jane Barlow gives US in her ex-
quisitelY pathetic Irish Idylls," and the
scenes revealed I'd us by Miss Lawless in
her stories of '.Hurrish' and "Grania,' y
and then you will know the why and
wherefore OF this steady stream of Ire
lands young men and maidens from the
land OF their birth. The ppoEness Of the
soil, The constant recurrence of bad sea-
sons, with their accompanying starvation,
and the lack. OF other industries save
that connected with agriculture, force
the children away to q country where al
ready SO many Of their kith and kin
have preceded them, and have shown
proofs Of their prosperity by the sums OF
money they send home for the succor Of
the iolks left behind in the country
which is never forgotten by lis sons and
daughters. We may rejoice over the
prospects of those who have gone to
these new lands so full OF hope and Of
opportunities, but what Of those who are
left, and what of the country which
loses the flower of it's cliildren?,
Need these things be?, Is there no
possibility of manufactures and indus
tries growing up in ireland, which will
employ willing and ready hands, and
which will build up myriads Of happy
and thriving honest Yes, there is every
possibility of such q future for ireland,
when her splendid resources of water
power will be utilized, when the riches Of
her fishing grounds will bessxplored and
developed, when the poor, outlying dis
tricts will be opened up and brought
into communication with the centres Of
commerce and trade. and when the
quickness and expertness OF her people
will be made use Of for their own benefit,
and that Of the world. Bnl are Ne to re-
main Idle in the meantime. when we have
already ample proof Of what may arise
out OF very small beginnings? So. ss 4. 81.
After speaking Of the success Of the
ahirt trade around Londonderry, Lady
Aberdeen ontinues 1: Ny hat can be done
with ono Industry can IS done With an
other, always providing that there is q
demand il the market for its product, so
! tliat II may bs placed on . business like
tsotins lith the public And the desire
and of the .Iriah ind ril
ldllyes lid M
si 4 u iIE s. 4 81 Z = q. I Il.