The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-09-23

"IuA ooneS Oh Lne1r lips, blaZed a
pathway for their fellow-countrymen.
And Americans of all races owe Pat.
rick Collins debt of gratitude. He
has shown just, though suspicious
people. that the blood flowing in the
veins OF what the New Englander
hartured in splendid, though some
times narrowing traditions, called
rather contemptlously, "the Irish
Masses was the blood of race swift
10 learn and master the processes of
modern civilization. For this his
memory will be perpetuated and his
example cherished. In stating these
obvious facts The Republic is simply
Volc1ng the most widely diffused pub
lie opinion.
Patrick Collins is no more-but
his developed sense OF civic righteous.
ness, his vivid and brilliant PERSONAL
ity, haloed by triumph upon triumph
Will embalm his memory in the minds
ana anecuons of the well-wishers of
Boston and Of these United States.
The career Of Mr.. Collins empha,
sized and accentuated the great possi-
bll1ties open to young men of all
classes, races and creeds, tn this New
England metropolis Mr.. Collins won
his place at the top by industry. hon
esty, perseverance and on incessant
striving for the very highest ideals,
both In public and private life.
No backing of wealth, position or
influence, aided the deceased in his
early struggles for place in the COM
n-unity, into which he had been
brought when he was a child. Not
even the advantages of an early edu.
cation came to his assistance. He lett
school when he was only II years of
age, to help support the little home
which his mother had established in
the adjoining city of Chelsea. From
that time until he entered the Har-
ward Law school, he knew not the in
side OF a school room. When he was
only 10 years Of age, he was sent to
Ohio, and for a year he worked In the
coal pits delving night and day, some
times running stationary engine.
and at other times loading coal on the
cars. There was Mttle in his environ
ment at this time to give promise or
even prospect, Of the statesman who
In later years became a prominent
figure In the affairs of the world,
Returning to Boston, he entered an
upholstery shop, and proceeded reso-
lutely to learn the trade. He worked
diligently and earnestly for over two
years. and at the age of 20, found him.
sell foreman of the shop. At this time
the efforts Of organized labor to better
the condition Of the wage earners had
begun to attract public attention. The
workmen in the shop decided that in
view OF the failure of their employers
to grant their demands for better :
wages and shorter hours, they would
go out on strike. Although he had no
grievance of his own, he cast his lot
with his fellow worRmen and Joined
IN their protest against unfair treat
ment.
During the time of his service in the
upholstery trade, he devoted nearly
all his leisure time to study. He rec
ognized the lack of equipment which
resulted from the curtailment of his
school term, and he was resolved to
make up by individual effort and by
personal sacrifice. what the necessi.
ties of his early life had deprived him
Of. He hannted the Libraries, and
read the very best works on history.
political economy ansa 1 S0l N N sseience !
which he could find. Works 81 stand.!ss
ard fiction which dealt with historical
questions and with the delineation Of
character also attracted his attention. y
He became an omnivorous reader. In Il
a word, he recognized that a boy Of \
IL or IL years of age could not have
acquired an education calculated to
At him for the doing Of mans part
in the great struggle Of life. so he pro.
ceeded to supplement the brief train Il