The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-09-28

their homes in this fertile and promising district.
He studied Its needs and shortcomings and labored
assiduously to minimize them. He familiarized him.
self with all the details of agricultural life and gave
the oenent OF his studies to the struggling pioneer
settlers who had followed his counsel and were en-
gagged IN the task of subdung the soil human sub
sistence. He advised them regarding their crops
their cattle, their buildings, their farm Implements
poultry ana fertilization of the land. He put himself
as it were in their places so as more adequately to
comprehend their problems and the obstacles that
they must overcome to insure success. He visited
them in their churches and their homes and rem
dered assistance to them in every way that he pos
sloly could. He made provision for their spiritual
welfare and the proper education of their children
by the establishment of numerous churches, schools
ana Summaries He was truly father to them in
his manifold ministratons to their spiritual as we'll
material needs.
1t is not strange, therefore, that the kindly and far
seeing prelate should be universally beloved by
his flock, and that in his passing they sense the loss
OF a powerful and generous benefactor and teacher
for such in truth he to the thousands of families
VINO bullded pioneer homes in the virgin territory
OF the Northwest' These labors he doubtless re-
garded as the most enduring monuments of his noble
career.
AS churchman statesman and orator, Archbishop
Ireland was a world figure. His culture and counsel
were potent in shaping public affairs in Europe as
we'll as in America One of the phrases which has
often been quoted characteristic of his particular
endeavor in life is The watchwords of the age are
reason education, liberty and amelioration of the
Masses
HIS oratory was direct, simple and magnetic His
language was such that it could not fail of being un-
derstood by people of ordinary education and intel.
Hgence. His style not ornate or rhetorical and
the effect of his sermons and dscourses was almost
exclusively made to depend the matter rather than
the manner OF its presentation But there was al
ways the ring of truth and sincerity i'm his speech
that wonderfully impressed his auditors.
He did not hesitate to take stand on great public
questions whether political, social or economic,
especially it he deemed it his duty to do so in the
interests of his church country Some of these
announcements led to estrangements and enmities
for him in the course of the long period of his &C.
tVltles. He was the uncompromising foe of the
Socialistc tenets which he regarded as destructive
to American institutions In many addresses and
articles he took occasion to anayze the obsessions
of the MARKHAM cult and expose their fallacies and
phantasies. He was untiring advocate of the
temperance cause, and his influence in bringing
about the suppression of the liquor traffic has been
exceedingly powerful. In the McKinley-Bryan cam
paign OF 1896 he openly declared in favor of the
Republican candidate and there is but little doubt
that his attitude helped materially to achieve the
Republican victory of that year.
That a man of such strong convictions and de.
termination of temperament should remain without
enmties and enemies would of course be almost
miraculous. 1t is even said that the many battles
fought by the lionhearted preate may have been the
cause of his failure of elevation to the cardnalate
But he was himself of forgiving nature No re.
sentiment was harbored after the fight whether he
won or lost. And when his soul has left it's
earthly dwelling to receive the eternal award for
fathfulness in the trust committed to it by Divine
Providence, all the enmites of the past are cast
into oblivion and all take pleasure in honoring his
memory and perpetuating the precious heritage of
his virtues.