PHILO-CELTS
Meet as usual in Jefferson Hall, Adams and
Willoughby Streets, every Sunday evening at 7.30.
THE SISTERS OF MERCY,
Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, beg to acknowledge having
received the GAODHAL as a prize for the most de¬
serving pupil in their Gaelic Class. They have
given it to Mary J. Malone who passed a very
creditable examination in the 3rd year's course in
Irish.
Let other Gaels follow Mr. Tierney's example,
and send the GAEL to all the educational institut¬
ions in the old country.
We learn from the Irish Echo that two Gael¬
ic societies are being organized in Lawrence and
Malden, Mass.
We would call the reader's attention to the
"Whistling Song," in both languages, in this is¬
sue.
Let each reader constitute himself a committee
of one to canvass for and circulate the GAEL.
"Many are called but few are chosen," fits the
Irish of to-day to a tee.
When will Ireland be a nation? When her lan¬
guage is restored — Nationalists please stick a pin
in this.
"If a man be born in a stable," says Wellington,
"that does not make a horse of him." Hence the
reason that Clanricarde and others of his ilk have
full scope in Ireland,
We would direct attention to the Rev. Mr.
Cleaver's letter on another page. Gaels, show
that letter to as many as possible of your neigh¬
bors who call themselves Irish.
During the Fenian trials it transpired that a
large number of Irishmen were worn in as "sold¬
iers of the Irish Republic." Do these "soldiers"
violate their oaths and commit treason by giving
aid and succor to the enemy in buying his manu¬
factures? And is that the reason that the Clanri¬
cardes run riot there?
The Parnell party appeal to Irish-Americans for
financial aid. Should they not send to us for our
manufactures instead of buying them of their ene¬
mies? Consistency. They should not buy a sin¬
gle article of English manufacture.
The Daily City Item, New Orleans, is a very
sprightly and well-conducted little journal, and
vividly portrays daily life in the Crescent City. It
had a very flattering notice of the GAEL the other
day. Thanks.
We have received a very interesting Gaelic tale
from our friend Martin P. Ward, of San Francisco
which appeared in the Monitor. It will appear in
our next issue. Friend Ward is doing an Irish
man's part on the Pacific Slope.
"Sentiments" in next issue.
Subscribers please remember that the Seventh
Volume commences next month.
Over ten thousand persons enjoyed the excursion
given by Supervisor Thomas M. Nolan the other
day. It indicates the peoples estimate of their po¬
pular Supervisor.
FREE TRADE,
OR TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY,
Is the issue in the coming campaign, and we
shall consider it as such, without taking sides with
any political party.
Judge Thurman asserts that a man is taxed at
the present time for every article he wears from
the sole of his foot to the top of his head to the a¬
mount of the Tariff tax levied on these articles, and
that Free Trade would, therefore, benefit the mass¬
es. On the other hand, Congressman M'Kinley as¬
serts that the Tariff tax is paid by the importer and
that it comes out of his profits and out of the wag¬
es of his workers; that the protection afforded in
this country induces a large number to go into the
manufacturing business and that the home rival
thus created brings the price down to the lowest
living profits; and that if protection be not afford¬
ed, home rivalry would cease and American wages
descend to the European standard.
Now, any Irish-American house-wife can decide
whether Judge Thurman tells the truth by compa¬
ring the price she paid for the necessaries of life
in the old country, such as bread, tea, sugar, flour,
cotton goods, etc., with the price she pays for them
here. There is a tariff tax of 50 9-10 per cent le¬
vied on cotton goods at present, and if Judge Thur¬
man's assertion be true the house-wife should pay
just 15 9-10 cents here for the yard of musiin which
she could buy in Dublin for five pence (10 cents).
But if she can buy that yard of musiin here for
10 cents the Old Roman does not speak truly, and
Congressman M'Kinley is correct — the consumer
does not pay the Tariff tax.
The Irish-American workman can tell the differ¬
ence between the wages here and at home, so that
he and his wife can decide whether Free Trade
or Protection would be the more beneficial to them
There is another side to the controversy:
Should we prohibit import altogether, would our
home competition bring commodities down to the
lowest living-profits?
It has been asserted that the manufacturer reaps
all the benefits of Protection, and becomes rich. If
the workers get more wages than are paid in Free
Trade countries that statement does not hold water,
and it might be asked, "Do not English manufac¬
turers become rich?” Such arguments tend to
deceive the public and to generate prejudice.
Let the working man look to his bread and but¬
ter, for, after using him for his own purposes, the
politician would not care if he and his family were
in the poor-house.
So, then, in the coming election, let the working
man vote for himself — his own nearest and dearest
friend! Follow Bishop Ireland's advice.
If we are to credit the English newspapers the
Irish element rule America. They say that the
Irish element influenced the Republican Senate
to reject the Fishery Treaty, and that, to regain
the lost ground, the Democratic President issued
his Retaliatory Message. If this state of affairs
be true the division of the Irish vote between the
two great parties is a good thing for Ireland, and
should be a lesson to England. Let Irishmen be
true to American interests.
We have not received no. 29 of the
Gaelic Journal though it is out.
