The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-07-08

It is impossible for one central com
mittee to keep in touch with the whole
country, and 80 local committees have
been organized, from whose efforts we
hope much; but the teaching and organ
izing work which has to be done, in or
der to secure success, requires money,
and it is for this purpose that We are 60
anxione to obtain a large number Of
yearly members, who will pay an annual
subscription 4 5s., and who will thus
provide us with the means for carrying on
this all essential part Of our work. 1t
will also be to this object that we shall
devote whatever proceeds we may make
from the Irish Village which we have
put up at the great Worlds Fair, Chi
cago. We hope to make it very attrac-
tive feature of the exhibition, with it's
varied thatched cottages grouped ronnd
the old castle Of Blarney. In each Of
these cottages We shall have Irish work
ers plying their different trades, such as
weaving, knitting, spinning, wood carv-
ing, embroidering, lace making, crochet
making, and the like. We shall also
have a dairy in full working order, and a
village shop, and a museum and refresh
ment room, and between all these at
fractions, presided over by young men
and maidens fr. M Ireland, dressed in
costume, We expect to reap golden har-
vest for the carrying on of our projects
in ireland.
A great deal Of the interest in Amer
lea, as at home, centres round the lace
workers, and truly the history of the ORR
gin of Irish lace making, as well asits re-
suits, is we'll worthy of the attention Of
those interested in the revival OF home
induetri, s. Most of the lace making
centres were started during the terrible
fa mine times of 1848, by charitable Ia
dies, intent on finding some opening for
work for the starving poor. Such was
the origin of what became the wide
spr cad crochet industry in the south Of
ireland, and round about Clones in the
north, arising from the initiative of the
good Ursulne Sisters at Blackrock in the
one case. and in the either to that Of
Mrs. Hanel, the rector's wife at Clones,
the beginnings of all industries likely to
become permanent, aid to train the
workers so that they may he able to
meet the demands of the trade so soon
as regular trade connections can be-
made for them.
We believe that. although machinery
has wrought mighty changes, yet there
are still fields where it cannot compete
with tho work of the human hand, and
that this fact is now being recognized.
But, at the same time, home workers
have to recognize that the times are
changed, and that it does not do for
them to lag behind the fashion of the
day any more than for the machine
works. The newest shapes and colors
and designs must all be studied and car
ried out, il hold on the market is to be
secured. How can the peasant in the
wild west of Ireland know what will be
wanted during the coming season in
London and Paris and New York? And
yet this is what is required if the hand
work is to be saleable; and this applies
not only to the fine laces and embroider-
les, but also to the more homely wool :
lens, and knitting and underclothing.
Here again comes in the necessity for
outside help in the early days OF an in
dustry, and here it is where the Irish In
dustries Association hopes to help by
providing teachers and designs, and also
information, which will enable the work
ers to compete successfully with others.
who have more advantages. Wherever
the nucleus of small industry exists,
our object is to develop and help it;
wherever there is hopeful field Tor q
new industry we desire to start il, and
assist those in charge to proceed on.
sound and business-like methods. > ! ]
It ia far spreading and somewhat dif-
ficult work to have thus set ourselves,
forthe circumstances and needs Of differ
ing districts and different industries
vary greatly. In one place you have q
number of scattered workers, without
any definite leader among them to organ.