The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-11-10
Thecathole Total Abstinence Union Of America.

Ihecathohe Total Abstinence Union Of America.
At the Convention held in Cleveland
Ohio, on the 10th ult., the report of tn.
Auditing Committee showed 1913 Societies
as belonging to the Union distributed Al
follows:
Vermont !, Georgia !, Louisiana 1, Ten
nessee l. Alabama /, Michigan l, Kansa.
New Brunswick 4, Minnesota 3, Iowa 3
Dlst: OF Columbia 3, Maryland 5. Wiscon.
$40 o, Illinois o, Connecticut 6, Rhode Is
land II, New York ID, Ohio Ia, New Jer
sey l6, Pennsylvania q.
Tie following is the address to the
Catholics Of America, adopted by the Con.
vention:
10 the Catholics Of america:
In pursuance of the time honored custom
of large deliberative bodies issuing an an :
nual address. the Catholic Total Abstinence
Union of America, in convention assem-
bled undertake tho task, with more than
ordinary feelings of pride and qualification
pride in pointing to the noble array of
societies united in one magnificent whole,
and qualification in being able to assert
that within the space of eight short months
the expectations Of its founders have been
more than realized. It was not the inten-
ton, neither.was it our wish that the incip-
lent stages of our progress should be
be marked with anything bearing on the
feverish or exciting, but rather In conform
ity with the long-established usages of
bodies under the Jurisdiction of Holy
Church, more cautiously and calmly, salts
fed that by pursuing such course we
would best command the interests and sup
port of all thoughtful advocates of total
abstinence, as we'll as the admiration and
respect of the entire Catholic community.
So marked has been our success under this
judiciOns system that not one voice among
the Catholic Hierarchy of America can be
found to say aught but praise of this noble
movement. Hence we are prepared to.
day to invite into our ranks, with every
degree of confidence, all Catholic total ab-
stinence societies in America which I'D to
the present time have failed to unite with
us. Cordially and earnestly do we now
extend this invitation, fully assured that
in majesty Of association, kindred sympa-
thy, active and earnest cooperation, we
can more successfully prosecute our glori-
Gus mission than by isolated and independ-
emit efforts.
There is no word in the English language
o-day, the significance of which is better
than that of "Union," and the
question naturally presents itself, is there
anything in the temperance question which
renders it an exception to the rule that in
luion there is strength 2 We think not,
and thus thinking, are in duty bound to
avail ourselves of every facility to become
Is effective as possible Association is the
distinguishing feature of the age. 1t is
,eally the great fnlcrnm of all powerful
movements. All MISREPRESENTATION
moral, or mercenary-adopt this potent
principle, and without it none expect ex-
ended or permanent success.
"a hap rrrr ~
hould arise to the necessity of the hour,
md see that the course so dear to our
Catholic hearts should not suffer through
upineness or neglect to take advantage Of
hat principle of which the Church herselfis !
he most shining example,, Harmonious
organization and concert of action will |
peedily raise US to great degree of eff
nee of our calling. With minds as great
md purposes as honorable as any, we need !
tut to be understood to be appreciated
We come before you, then, fellow Catholics, !
n spirit of brotherly love, prepared to
invite you into our ranks as auxiliaries, to
levate your aims, to give wholesome
'readth to your ambition, to excite emula-
ion aud friendly competition and by en-
arging the field of your operations Guilt
ate the spirit of enterprise.
Counting our operations on the broad
nd enduring basis of Catholic charity, the
lights of the hum blest are in no danger of
eing invaded. 1t is not our purpose to
Interfere in any manner with the workings
f local societies, leaving them to carry GU,
heir operations in whatever manner to
hem seems best-the only condition re-
uired is that they must be thoroughly and
Catholic. The officers of the
Inion are mostly gentleman in private
fe, jealous and scrupuious in the discharge
their duties, with no aspirations beyond
u earnest and sincere desire to advance
he interests of our societies, and through
rom the interests of our Holy Church in
lis country.
Aside from the highest and most beauti-
Il effects to be produced by this system
tic association, is the encouragement of
abits of industry, thrift, cleanliness aud
spectability. While the primary object
each society is to battle against the de-
on intemperance, nevertheless it has be-
me the established practice to unite the
lditional feature of benefit in the event
sickness and death. Previous to the
of the general union this
ature was necessarily limited to the .juris-
ction of each society, but by broad and
'mprehensive plan, harmonizing with the I!
tivity of the age, under the auspices of
II union it is only circumscribed by juris-
ction. A judtcious and well regulated
stem of transfers enables o member, on +
anging his residence to any part of the
untry where there is society connected =
it'll the union, to join such society with