, 1842-05-28
"CORk, Apr. llth, 1872.

"CoRk, Apr. llth, 1912.
MY DEAR FRIEND-L.ong absenc
from Cork, and almost incessant ad
ministration of the total abstinenc
pledge, since my return, has proven
ted me from reading your esteene
letter until this morning. | than
you for the information you have q.
en- respecting the sensation excite.
amongst our friends in England b
Sir Robert Peel's statement. Tn
premier only intended TO convey tina
the eyenu from whiskey was lar
ger last year than in the year '39 an,
40. This fact should not cast
gloom over our prospects, for tetotal
ism is pursuing its onward course. an,
will, with the Divine assistance, final
ly triumph. SIR r. Peel is a frienc
to morality, and consequently 10 tenn.
perance; and when he added, 'ol
from other causes he spoke from the
impulse of his Christian feelings, and
not as a great political leader. The
almost total abandonment of malt
liquor has increased the consumption
of whisky amongst certain classes
The great expectation 10 England for
the rectifiers, and the vast quantity
manufactured into what are falsely
named temperance cordials, have
contributed to swell the amount of
the whiskey event During the
year SO and 40, there was an uni
versal panic amongst the spirit deal
ers, who were consequently anxious
to exhaust their stock; but during the
last year, finding a steady though
slow demand, they have taken in
fresh and large supply. D:stilIers,
also, of small capital, are forcing
sales on any terms, to keep their es-
Establishments at work. Besides, tc-
totalism is ascending very slowly in
to the higher classes, and many OF
them drink more than ever 10 antago-
nlze our principles. There are other
powerful influential causes, to which
dare not more than allude; but
which. blessed be the mercy of God,
have lateterly almost ceased to exist.
Be not alarmed, my dear Mr.. Allen,
temperance is not retrograding. AT
this moment, | am honored by more
than seventy pressing invitations from
the Roman Catholic prelates and cler.
gy, to administer the total abstinence
pledge in different parts of Ireland.
Give me but time, and with the aid
of the Great Jehovah, we will waive
u pure and spotless banner over
the length and breadth Of the land.
There are difficulties which cause
more pain than the assertion of Sir
Robert Peel-the insidious efforts to
give to our society i political color
ing, and 10 evoke agIoomy fanatic
cry against US. The great body of
teetotalers, 1t is true, is composed OF
Roman Catholics; but that is from the
great bulk of the people being Roman
Catholic, but not from any thing ex-
elusive in our society. A hostile dis
position has been excited on this ac-
count in certain localities; and | must
also complain, with the deepest sor-
row, that many who, from rank and
station, possess great influence, have
not, to use the mildest term, exercis-
ed it In favor Of our society. | utter
Iy disclaim any political object; my
ardent desire is TO promote the glory
of God, by drying up the fruitful
source of crime, and the happiness Of
His creatures, by persuading them to
the observance of temperance. Our
musical bands, too, and our process
sIons, are rocks Of offence to many.
If it was allowed TO any TO object to
them, surely il should to the members
OF your society, who reject music
and parade in every case, yet you
have all co-operated with me, despis-
ing this paltry pretext. 1 respect the !
religious feelings which disapprove
of music and professions on the
Lords day; | would not on any ac-
COuul OllcI NlUItilCe W tcllQeT on
sciences; but we, Roman Catholics,
after in general devoting the after
moor OF Saturday. and the forenoon
of Sunday, to religious ~observances,
do no: deem it 4 dissertation of the
Sabbath for such as have been earn
ing their bread by the sweat of their
brows during the week, to recreate
themselves innocently during the re-
mainder Of the day. We should be
allowed to enjoy our Gospel liberty;
we regulate our conduct by what we
interpret to be the spirit of the Cos
pei, and not by the letter of the Le-
law. o! that the sweet and
spirit of the Gospel, that
thinketh no evil, was difiused from
pole to pole, uniting all mankind as
.ne family, and making a world hap
mn Pho earth would tbep ipJaoJ