Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-10


owned by the Society, valuable additions
to which will probably be made in a few
weeks.
After the reading of the reports, the
Bishop addressed the members on the
subject of Temperance generally, and the
benefits naturally flowing therefrom-noi
only to the members themselves, but also
to their families, and even to the COM
munity at large. He also spoke Of the
| library and the band, as excellent auxili-
aries for with q well-selected library and
| good music, no man need be at loss fol
| good company.
Father Meagher followed in an address
| full of humOr. He said that the Bishop
had left him scarcely anything TO say-to
be temperate in all things was certainly
| very commendable, but to be ateetotaller
required moral courage, and he who prac-
| ticed it, at the present day, attained a moral
| dignity that was really surprising.
If man could run of to the woods, and
like the hermit, hide himself from the
world and temptation, there might not be
much difficulty in abstaining from the in
toxicating bowl, but in a city like this,
where temptation besets man on every
side and under every form, he could not
but look upon the teetotaller as a moral
hero.
Much more was said, which we have not
space to record, when Mr.. p. McGoy-
ern, the well known Market street leather
erchant. First Vice President of the So
ciety, addressed the Secretary substantially
as follows:
BROTHER SECRETARY.-Our brothers Of
Saint Josephs Total Abstinence Society
have deputed me to perform a part for
them to-day, which would be q naost pleas
ing duty indeed, were it not that feel
sensibly embarrassed by the knowledge of
my inability to meet the expectations Of
nay brethren, or do justice to the matter in
hand Being fully impressed by these
facts, l shall adopt the prudent idea Of
making a seeming virtue of a prime
necessity, and be very brief.
To indulge in any extended remarks, to
you, of our organization, its aims and its
objects, you who know all, and, q might
be pardoned if added, who have done all,
would be quito superhous; viii, however,
here observe, that the members Of
our society, having a deep interest
in its success and prosperity, have
closely observed and carefully remem-
bered every molten made, word spok-
en-, or act accomplished or attempted,
which had for their object its advancement
1t would, therefore, be most astonishing,
indeed, if they did not, with pleasure and
qualification, observe the one member, of
all others, who has done so much, labOred
so hard and successfully, to give form and
tone, life and stability, to their cherished
undertaking. To convey to you, sir, in q
tangible form, the knowledge that they
have noticed and appreciated what you
have done, are doing, and which they hope
you will continue to do for them, is the
dCty assigned me to perform to-day. /,
therefore, present you, In behalf of
Saint Joseph's Total Abstinence Society,
with this cane, hoping it will ever
be a pleasing remembrance of the
kindly feeling of its donors for you; and,
sir, may you i've long in the enjoyment of
health and happiness to flourish it in the
front ranks Of the advance guard of the
true advocates of temperance.
A word more and am DONE Intrinsic
ally, this gift you have Just accepted is a
mere trife, this ceremony of presentation
very unpretending, yet the Brothers are
fully convinced that to You it will be suf-
ficiently interesting to induce you to make
minute Of it m the notebook of your
memory but, those who come after you,
who will come after all of Us, very natural
ly will take some interest in the occurrences
that have taken place in the times that
PRECEDED them, and that they may know Of
little circumstance that took place on the
afternoon of Sunday, the Sth Of May, 1870,
in the basement Chapel of the Cathe-
dral, in the city Of Nashville, / present
you, again IN the name Of the St Joseph's
Total Abstinence Society, with this pen,
that you may make the record lis said
the pen Is a weapon more powerful than
the sword, but alasi for our day and gen
Grafton, not 50 potent as the metals gold
and silver of which it is composed. May
its keen diamond point, in your ever ready
| fingers, be always prepared to defend the
friends and puncture the enemies of the
| cause of Temperance.
Though greatly surprised at being the
recipient of such valuable tokens of affec-
| ton from his associates, Mr.. Jones soon
/ recovered his self possession, and, rising
| from his chair, said:
Rev. President and Brethren--I am
| compelled to acknowledge that, for once,
| you have surprised me; yes, and at thesame
| time delighted me. | am not surprised at
| your generosity, for have known You too
| long; nor will follow the fashion of the
| day by declaring my unworthiness, and
| thus accuse you Of injustice, or want OF
| discrimination. have long known that
| YOU appreciated my services, and such ap-
| probation only stimulated me to renewed
exertions to faithfully perform the duties
| Won have assigned me. In short your ap-
| proving words, your ever warm and afec-
| Tomato greetings were abundant compensa-
i ton for my services, and it was difficult
| for me to deeide who was the debtor-I,
| on whom you have conferred honor and
| layished your affection, or you whom /
have served faithfully and long. But now,
| by this new evidence of your love, you
have turned the scales, and placed me
under lasting obligations to you i must
hereafter remain your debtor. l cannot
even command words to thank you II my
heart could speak, or if You could read its
| Joyous beatings, at the present moment,
| Won would know and feel more than Ian
guage can express.
Mr.. Jones then took his seat amidst
| loud demonstrations of approval from the
| Bishop, Priests and people.
The following officers were then elected
to serve the current year:
Rev. P. F. Coyle, Honorary President
P. McGovern, President.
Martin Kerrigan, First Vice President
Mortimer Shea, Second Vice President
E. E. Jones, Recording Secretary.
p. O'Keefe, Financial Secretary.
p. Cleary, Treasurer.
T. w. Sexton, Librarian.
Jerry Buckley, Master of Ceremonies.
ITEstees-P. McGovern, Martin KERR
nd 4
The cane is one Of the most beautiful
we have ever seen, and contains the fol-
lowing inscription: Presented by st.
Joseph T. A. Society to Bro. E. e. Jones,
MAY 8, 1870" This costly present was
accompanied with a valuable diamond
pointed gold pen
Hanging in conspicuous part of the
room we noticed, IN an elegant frame, the
act of the General Assembly incorporating
the Society-one Of the most beautiful
specimens of chirography we have ever
seen, the handiwork Of our fellow citizen
Dan. Adams.