AN GAODHAL.
591
to one on this challenge. Hence when persons of
mediocre intelligence can accomplish ordinary pro¬
jects it is no thanks to the Gaels to compass larger
undertakings.
As intimated in our last issue, the Knights of La¬
bor must join the Homestead Legion. Employment
must be, provided for idle labor, or anarchy, con¬
fusion and bloodshed will be the immediate re¬
sult.
Some may interpose the objection that the land
sellers would be making money and that the farm¬
ers would be only struggling. Suppose John Smith
is working in Tom Jones's mill for the last fifteen
years at $15 a week steady (and that is fair wages)
and that to-day he has not a dollar to spare after
supporting his family and that the miller, Jones, is
after trebbling his fortune. Now Smith does not
pay a thought to this condition, but if Jones gave
him a 100 acre farm instead of employment in
his mill on condition that after working on it for
ten years he should become its absolute owner,
How much better would Smith's condition be even
though Jones doubled his money on it? Would
it not be a mutual benefit transaction ?
Under the Gladstone purchase bill in Ireland a
good acre of land there will cost $100 — 20 years
purchase. As good an acre can be had here for $8,
and that acre after the location becomes thickly
peopled will be worth $50.
We urge on the readers of the Gael to lose no
time in commencing organization, and to notify us
of their progress. Ireland in the possession of self
government and the victims of alien rule made in¬
dependent and happy, Gaels may rest on their
oars and consider themselves amply remunerated
in the consciousness that they have used the in¬
telligence conferred on them by Providence in
the social elevation of their less fortunate kin¬
dred.
Several gentlemen having written to us for in¬
struction as to the mode of organizing, we shall re¬
peat that contained in the last Gael. Large cities
and towns may have several branches —
To organize — Now gentlemen, to commence or¬
ganization, speak to a few of your friends; discuss
the matter between you, and when each of you
has succeeded in enlisting the co-operation of half
a dozen or more, call a meeting of such; elect your
offices, and choose them — not on account of per¬
sonal friendship — but on account of their competency
to discharge the duties creditably. Let each take
at least one share (the shares are at $5). Individ¬
uals may take as many shares as they please, and
to place the Legion on a substantial, firm basis, the
treasurer must give Real Estate security for at least
double the amount of the paid-in stock of his
branch.
The branch treasurer will be the custodian of the
branch's stock until the money is required to pay
for the land, and to make the necessary prepara¬
tion for the reception of the colonist. No colonist
will be sent on the land until his house is built &c.,
so that all he has to do is, to light his fire and go
to work: And the first batch of colonists will con¬
sist of not less than one hundred (thirty families
are already prepared to start from Brooklyn), so
that the nucleus of a nice village is formed at once.
Afterwards individual colonists will be sent to the
colony. The various branches will require to be
well organized to meet these general purposes.
So, commence at once, because it will take some
time to make a thorough preparation.
We shall defer further remarks until next issue
placing before the reader the Rev. Father Mahony's
letter in relation to this subject, and he being a
colonist himself or at least amongst colonists, his
opinions are worth something —
"St. Martin's Church
Huron, Dak. April 19 1886,
Dear Sir
I found your letter before me on my return
from an out mission. I did not receive the papers
you were kind enough to send me, possibly because
of the storm east of us, I regret it as I would like
to see your view on colonization. If any word of
mine could encourage you to persevere in your ef¬
forts to settle our fellow Catholics on the soil of the
West, they would be cheerfully given. Russians
and Danes and Swedes and Norwegians and sens¬
ible Americans are securing homes on Uncle Sam's
rich domain, and our poor Irish Catholics are
struggling for bare subsistence in factories and
mines and railroads, when they too could be striv¬
ing and provide with a little labor and sacrifice a
nice comfortable home for themselves and their
children; reminding one forcibly of the words of
Holy Writ, "The children of darkness are wiser in
their generation than the children of light."
This is a cold climate in winter, and yet it is a
magnificent land, teeming with hidden wealth, and
unsurpassed for bodily health.
If you are forming colonies, I would call your at¬
tention to the Sioux Reservation which will be
ready for settlement in the near future. I send
you map and pamphlet which may interest you.
Anyone who induces another to secure a fertile
homestead, whether West or South, is his lasting
benefactor. Wishing you every success in your la¬
bors for this end.
I am very respectfully
Yours in Christ
Wm. Mahoney.
T O'B. Boston. — The Stockholders of the Celtic
Homestead Legion will get good interest on their
money, and no more. Many a man would glad¬
ly pay ten per cent on a few thousand dollars, if
he got the opportunity, to set himself up in busi¬
ness. Would it not be of equal moment to the co¬
lonist? When the affairs of the Homestead Legion
are further advanced names will appear in its Di¬
ection which will command confidence and res¬
pect. No location has been yet chosen but there
is an option of land in Arkansas, Dakota and Tex¬
as.
