The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-27
GRAND TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.
Plan and Extent Of the New Orgauization-1u
Practical BeneAts-How 1t is To Be d.
rected-The Constitution Adopted
The National Officers.


The National Catholic Total Abstinence C0nven-
ton, which convened in this city on the ed inst
adjourned yesterday at noOn after an all night
session. The interest felt in this Convention, the
first OF ITS character ever neld, was very great
many OF the delegates Journeyng twelve and mr.
teen hundred miles to take part in the important
proceedings.
The Catholic Church has always claimed to be q
grand temperance society OF itself, but the move
ment CT total abstinence among many priests and
preates hitherto received but little encouragement
The mroads OF intemperance, however, made q
vigorous warfare necessary and within the past
year those IN authority have determined to bring
the movement within the Church, and spread its
teachings in connection with The parochial insttu
tions after the same plan as the st. Vincent de
Paul societies.
Next, the state unions began 10 gather the socie.
ties in diocesan organizations, and the bishops
made addresses at their conventions. Seventy
thousand copies Of Bishop Bayey's address were
spread East and West, and Win the prO-rel1glOus
current OF Thought on the subject the result oil this
anu other pastoras, we find the Darochla socieues
national union. Eleven organizations, with their
prelates' appreciation, sent on delegates and the
parocha associations OF fifteen States joined In the
same council
A nIgn mass was celebrated at the opening OF The
Convention by the ecclesiastical authorizes Of the
archdiocese OF Baltimore, and II was communicated
that Archbishop opaldlng, before death, had ex-
pressed wish to be able IN person 10 address the
delegates. twenty-five priests from seven states
were the platform and took an active part IN all
the deliberations. Among these were the Rev. q:
q. Prendergast or Savannah, who represented
Bishop Perslco and Bishop Gibbons, of Norln Caro-
lima, communicated his views In stirring letter.
is the most notable feature OF the plan Of consitu.
tiOn agreed upon. OnlCers are deDarred from pOti-
cal enterprises while holding union pOsiliOns, and
all such topics are not to be permitted in debate
Local option and special legislation, prOhlbitOry or
otnerwlse, Is to the Catholic organizations matter
n n q IN nn0 non
they take any part pro Or con- The question was
brought . 70 the direct notice Of delegates
vention at Columbus. and the reply
ordered to be sent is considered settler from the
Dewitt in ae name Of Sne and run
Notwithstanding the courtesy OF your saluta-
ventlon entertain little hope party political move
ments aiming TO effect the supply. Catholics rely
upon the power a OF religion to destroy the demand
"rHE CATHOLIC TOTAL ABSTINENCE UNION OF
the title decided on after lengthy debate the
question being whether Canada should be embraced,
and as there are many societies there eager for
nexaton In this respect the argument was that the
Catholics I'm taking them in" would probably point
the way for the United states to swallow up the
provinces In political sense kilograms from Mon.
trea and Toronto expressed gratlcation at this de-
cislon.
THE PRACTICAL BENEFIT
to the societies is the interchange OF transfer cards
q member OIL one will De shielded by his union
transfer from various temptations when he moves
to another part oi the country. lie IS received as
full benefit member IN any Catholic total abstinence
society located in the town to winch he moves. II
sickness or death should befall him he is attend cd
the same as II an Old resident At any point with
in his own State the diocesan union will effect the
same. The national constitution SIMPLY bridges
over the gap between the several States.
THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT
of organizations reported at the Convention, is
astonishing. The New Jersey State Union, Tor in
stance, reported having started last August with
SIX societies or 500 members, and now has twenty
nine societies, OF $500 members, being an increase
OF twenty three societies and 1000 members In half
a year. AT one meeting over thousand members
were pledged.
THE NATIONAL OFFICERS
The prelate OF the eccleslasCical province in
which the President may reside Is TO be consulted
by officers spiritual dictator In the manage.
ment Of the Unlon The Rev. James McDevltt
National Presioent, is young priest, OF great
energy and capacity for this. work, and his selec-
lion OccaslOned scene OF the widest enthusiasm.
The first vote stood, for Presldent-Rev.
J. J. Keane, "A; James W. O'Brien, New
Jersey %; Rev. James McDevtt, Washington, 10;
F. McMahany, Washington, s. All declined, but
the delegates insisted on Mr.. McDevilt's accept.
Ing For First Vice President james W. O'BrIen
was elected by acclamatlOn but declined. The other
officials are those given in the HERALD Geographic
columns OF yesterday.
The next National Convention was decided to be
held october TO- 1872, at Cleveland.
The delegates before leaving the CITY, assembled
at banquet given by the Baltimore clergy, where
all expressed themselves as highly pleased with the
OCCASION