The New York herald., 1873-09-10
THE CATHOLIC TOTAL ABSTINENCE UNION
aI OF AMERICA

Annual Meeting OF the National Board.
Yesterday at Plympton Hall, the Catholic Total
Abstinence Union OF America held the annual ses-
sion OF It's Board OF Government, body composed
Of the national officers and presidents of State
unions. This body is recognized as the governing
body OF the Catholic temperance movement in this
country In the intervals between the general con-
ventions The meeting yesterday was mainly in.
tended Tor arranging the measures to be brought
before the grand convention OF delegates from all
the States and Canada which meets In this city on
October 5. The measures agreed on were important.
The meeting was opened with PRAYER by the Rev.
James McDevitt,. OF Washington, President OF the
Union. In the absence OF the secretary, MIR. ]. w.
O'Brien, of New York, was elected Secretary pro
tenn. The following despatch was then sent to His
9TH "The '1S Catholic Total Abstinence Union Of
America represented by It's Board of Government,
in session in this city to-day, offer sincere and al
fectionate sautations to your Grace as head OF
the Church In this metropolitan diocese. AS sons
OF the Catholic Church. engaged in the promotion
our religion under the direction OF the reverend
clergy, we earnestly beg your episcopal benedlc-
tion on our proceedings" Despasches were aiso
the Diocese; to Very Rev. Dean Byrne, OF Trenton,
N. j. and to Rev. Father Hennessy, spiritual d.
rector of the New Jersey Union Encourage g re-
plies were received. The pledge OF abstinence to
be taken by members in all the parishes was then
Convsntion and appreyed by the Right Rev. BISHOP
Corrigan was recommended.
The modified obligation Is framed TO bring the
Catholic teetOtallers under the indulgences granted
by the Pope, who prescribes as motive OF abstl-
neuce "ih honor OF the sacred trust and agony Of
our Saviour" 1t also names the SIN OF intem-
perance as suggested by Archbishop Bayley, and
finally it strikes at the "drinking habits OF So
ciety." This change will be OF interest to all the
members as dinerlng materially ron the old
Father Mathew pledge heretofore In use
UNIFORM BADGE.
The national enolem adopted by the late con-
vention Is ordered to be displayed 10y every men,
ber and each member Is to salute another IN any
part OF the country, when this badge Is seen, and
the Catholic population Is therefore, hencef0rth to
have tins sign touching the badge) thus giving to
Catholics method OF intercourse as good as that
orered BY the secret societies, from winch Catholics
are excluded by their Church.
The committee appointed to arrange for a union
through their Chairman, Mr. OBrlen. The COM
mittee have opened communications with the
hirerarchy OF Ireland, and have reason to know
that the clergy and laity are actively avOring the
uniting OF Ireland and America. Cards OF transfer
Will tnen be issued by Irish societies. introducing
cmgrants To temperance societies on landing, ana
thus save them from the sharks Of our seap0rts.
the committee on Convention reported that tne
hall selected was Irving Hail. the delegates to
assemble at twelve O'Clock on Monday, october .,
and Following days. Letters were received from
various cities Ofiering heavy delegations to any
demonstration which might take place In tnis city
on the occasion. All delegates are 20 ASSIST at
mass In the Cathedral in body. Fatner McDevite
offered his resignation to the BOARD on account OF
Ill health. On motion he was requested 10 serve
until the Convention.
Alter PRAYER the Convention adjourned.
Mr.. Mccormick, Of Rhode Island Dr. Nchmond
and Mr.. Wilson, OF New YORK Mr. keiiy oi Penn-
sylvapia, and Others made addresses