The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-03

In tho prolonged and arduous struggle for
the suppression of in,cmpcrancc and Of tho
liquor traffic whether it be moral or legal
suasion, we have hoped 10 have the power.
full aid of the Catholic clergy, but have
been disappointed. Not that we expected
or desired them to come into any organiza-
ton outside Of their ecclesiastical system,
or to identify themselves with any party -
but il has seemed not too much that their
influence should be openly and steadily OK.
erted,in favor Ola Cause which is not only
that Of public order and security, but OF
good morals and religion. We have looked
to see them uttering some decided and for
chile condemnation Of that trade in ardent
liquors, whose horrible consequences no
palt OF the clergy can have better opportu.
mites of approaching than Themselves
We bad hoped that they might be led to
use the authority they have, especially among
the Irish, for an end so bcneiicient and So ne.
cessary. Particularly now that so much
um exists against that class OF our f..
ula,ion on account Of their political SUBJ
yiency and Incorporate habits it would So
that the catholiopriesthood ought 10 spard
effort that could tend to put their nocks,oi
least numerous division OF them
another aspect before the community
largo.
This hope does not seem likely to DO gr.,
ifed. We hear Of no movement anon
the Catholic bierachy for the suppression o
this deadly and crimeipducing traffic.
And yet these seems to b. great occasion
for an effort of the sort. Wo Published the
other day statatical paper showing that u
great majority Of til, hurders committed in
this State are by Irishmen, and those Irish
when there is an Archbishop and priesthood
with such powers Of moral aud spiritual
control among their aocks Why IS there
not rclorml Why is there not o total al.
stincncc asso:iation in place Of every rum.
hole kept by an Irish Catholic
These are not scctarian or uotimcly qucs.
lions. They touch the vital root Of society
II is fact that We have q great amOintoI
crime among us. II is lact, that the high.
est crime, murder increases: Ii is n fact,
that murders are duo ninoty per cent. to
drunkenness. 1t is tact, that OF the drunk
ken murdcrers, large proportion arc lrisa.
mon. II is a fact, that the,o drunken mnr-
dcring Irishmcn are nearly all Catholics.
But leaving tho drunken murdcrers ont Of
the question, majority Of tho rum sellers
who make that class drunk arc Of tho samo
origin. Go through the Democratic
streets If you doubt it; look at the signs
above the rum holes when not in " Dutch,'
they are sure to be Enthusiastically 20.
Go TO Inc bars of the rnni holes, look Mt tho
animals behind them dealing out their liquid
poison. and look at the animals swilling IL,
and they arc all Irish-lrish drunken and
militant.
These arc all Iacts. But certainly tho
Catholic priesthood chose, there could bc u
reform. That tho evil remains and incrcas.
IS is one Of the causes Of the movement OF
hostility to Catholicism now 81 active and
potent In the community, dtis nst msrcly
10 certain religious opinions, but
TO drunkenness. and TO crime thence pro-
with which, os VIC hayc explained
before, those opinions have become widely
by PARTON of Che public.-N. y.
Tribune.