The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-12-02

cratic leaders, and he was selected as
one OF the leaders of the Cleveland
forces on the floor He contributed to
the success OF the movement which
placed Mr.. Cleveland in nomination for
the third time, and during the campaign
he was leading figure both in council
and i'll the more arduous work OH the
stump. MIR. Cleveland, soon after his
inauguration, sent him to London as
consul general for the United States.
This iocor was conferred in rccogni-
ton OF his distinguished services to the
party and because OF his conspicuous
ability as a public man.
But not alone in the activities OF
American politics and in the practice OF
his profession as a lawyer did Mr.. Col
Inns exert his marvellous intellectual
energies and his splendid cloqucnce.
Although he was only three years OF
age when his family brought him to
Boston, he has always been kcenly alive
to the wrctched condition OF his native
land under the blightng influence OF
British misrule. His mother fled from
Ireland during the terrible famine pc
Rod, and as he grew up he learned the
awful story OF suffering which those
who did not emigrate were compelled
TO endure. His youthful imagination
was fired by the recital OF the barbara
ties practiced by the landlords and the
sotiery during the prevalence OF the
famine, when over 100000 people died
from hunger and exposure When the
Irish people undertook in 1866, re-
volt against the perpetuation OF the
wicked system Of misgovcrnment M
Collins was 81 years OF age. He had
acquired lair education through read
ing and study, but not through attend
ancc at school, for he was obliged to
go to work when he was II years old
TO help support the struggling family,
He joined the Fcnian movement in Bos-
ton, and became one OF the organizers
and lecturers selected to spread it and
make it more effective. The movement
met with some bad reverses, but those
who were engaged in it kept the organ
ization going.
The next great effort for Irish liberty
was made ia 1879, when Michael Davit
began to preach land reform on plan
lar in advance OF the old tenants right
Hnovcmcut Another famine was feared,
and an appeal was made to America.
Mr. Davitt came to Boston to consult
Collins and O'Relly and other promi
ncnt Irish-Amcricans He delivered ali
address in Fancuil Hall aud outlined the
plans and purposes Of the leaders in
Ireland. An organization was effected
at subsequent meeting in New York.
But it was not until 1880 that the great
Land League was really started. This
took place at Buffalo, NJ Y, where the
first regular convention was held in Jan
uary. Mr.. Collins was elected president.
with Rev. Lawrence Walsh. oil Connec-
ticut, as treasurer and the late Thomas
Fatlcy, OF Boston, as secretary. For
fifteen months this new organization was
guided by MIR. Collins. 1t had branches
i'll every state in the Union. Through
its agency large fund was collected to
avert the threatened famine and to pave
The way for the magnificent agitation
Tor home rule Which was conducted ia
parliament and ont OF it under the
leadership OF Charles Stewart Parncll
He served with credit and distnc-
ton i'll both branches OF the STATE lcgis-
iaturc. He spent six years in Washe
lngton as d member OF congress. For
Jour years he was consul general at
London, and he made 4 record there
for executive ability and administrative
capacity that will not soon be cqualcd
Consequently his equipment for the
duties OF the mayoraty is OF the very
best.
Like O'Rcilly. Collins is American
and Irish, and intensely both. He has
always contendcd that the son or de-
sccndant OF Ireland in this country
should be intensely American. that he
should ask nothing and expect nothing
because OF his birth or lineage nor be
denied anything because oil either.
Mr.. Collins is essentially. and ia the
best sense OF that term, a seli-madc man.
rs has already been stated. he went to
work at the early age OF IL years, and
he has been wage Garner during the
iorty-four years that have since elapsed
He was an office boy in lawyers office
i'll Boston. farm hand, miner and cngi-
.nccr in Ohio. an upholstcrcr, lcgis
lator, a lawyer and a statesman. In al
OF these varied relations and positions
he proved himself to be true to his higl
ideals Of duty and obligation to the peo
pie whom he served. Although dcnie(
the advantages OF college education
he is to-day one OF the best-iniorlneG
and most erudite men in public life il
this section. His library in his Brigh
ton home on Corey road is one of the
most complete and one OF the best Sc
lected in the city. There he enjoys hi:
leisure hours among his books, which
he calls his friends.
As an orator Mr. Collins holds a higl
place. He is recognized as one OF thu