The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-09-23
No Backing of Wealth, Position or Influence
Helped Him in His Early Struggle
For Success.
He HasLeft Behind Reputation For Honesty.
Integrity and Ability in Public and
Private Life.

The passing of Mayor Collins-un-
der circumstances Of tragical sudden
ness-removes a figure who loomed
large in national history, says the
Boston Republic. In many respects
he was unique among the public men
Of his time-emphasizing the qualities
of brilliant leadership, of ripe scholar
ship, of a rectitude that knew no fal-
tering nor hesitation.
1t Is singular coincidence that ms
lamentable death should coincide with
the celebration of the two hundred
and seventy-fifth anniversary of the
founding of the city of Boston, with
whose progress he was SO conspicu-
ously identified.
A city, splendid with the ardor, the
hopes and the memories he did SO
much to fix and perpetuate, mourns at
its fallen leaders bier. His spirit
passed into the night with the tran
quill courage which marked his atti-
tude toward life. Secure in a fame
based upon a luminous Interpretation
of public duty, serene in the con-
sciousness of an untarnished career,
he passed into the beyond, his years
garnished with good deeds.
Amid all the poison and splendor of
exalted official station, Mr.. Collins has
lighted up in practice the theory that
public office means conservation to
the public service. He discharged the
tasks committed to him with insight,
grasp Of detail, and a poised and level
visioned justice.
He was a man with little formal
schooling, but well-directed industry
and devotion to books made him one
OF the most widely-read men in politi-
a conscience that was never dimmed
nor tarnished, a strong will and an
unflagging purpose, brought him rec.
ognition from the leaders of many
schools of thought and action. He
was color blind to the motives of
chicanery and personal gain. His
ideals we're pitched in high key and
never suffered abatement.
Mr.. Collins made his entry into the
scenes Of public life when it was
growing clearer that the Puritan in
depreciation Of character was false.
The foibles of the Puritan like his
defects, however, have so faded and
weakened in the present day that
are hardly visible. Yet his intoler.
ance is an instinct which has never
died, and is curious example of the
enormous strength Of heredity, espec-
tally In vigorous race. It is very
feeble now, and is rather ludicrous
than otherwise; but 1t Is still there.
It was an extremely real and danger.
GUS thing in earlier times, when it
meant something. At the present day
1t is no longer dangerous; and when
1t ceased to be formidable, it lost It's
only claim to consideration. The
mastodon would have been an ex-
tremely terrible animal to meet; but
we can afford to regard its bones with
curiosity, and to look upon It's foot
prints in the limestone with a smile.
Such in one direction has been the
fate Of that stern spirit which placed
Cromwell on the throne of England
and founded the Puritan common
wealths in America. We can pardon
in a man of Cromwell's day an intol-
erance which was characteristic of
the times, and which he was ever
ready to back up with the sword; but
when it shows itself in It's modern
form. there Is nothing in 1t to be ad-
mired. 1t is an heirloom which might
better be consigned to the dustheap
1t is fast finding its way there; yet
1t still lives on,-an interesting fea-
ture in the society OF the great city
which has arisen where the Puritan
town once stood.
Patrick Collins was among those
who showed the weaknesses in the
Puritan ideal.
Men like John Boyle O'Reilly, clear.
seeing, swift to smite and to heal,