The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-05
29ofnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
NV ORLFANs. SUNDAY. oCToBER S. 1878.
mrEwpxRANc1 vs. TOTAL ABSTINENCE.

8. Ebr;.tas est insania-Drunkenness is mad |
mess. "a more appropriate OK better definition OF
xhis diabolfcal vice could not be given than the |
one Just quoted. To it must DO attributed the |
large majority of crimes that are daily perpe-
trated the cause of the great amount OF mis-
cry existing among our fellow beinge: and |
also the cause for the incarceration of so many |
of the inmates of our prisons and laboratory |
institutions. To expatiate upon the effects |
of this vice or the blessings of Its opposite |
virtue after furnishing the selections which, \
will follow, would be imposing upon myself an |
unnecessary labor.
For nearly quarter of q century the writer |
has abstained from all intoxicating drinks
including cider, cordials weiss. beer and ginger
ale. During this period he has painfully wit |
messed the effects of the vice of intemperauce
in every form, among all classes and-with
little exaggeration-in every condition of life
Charity for his fellow.m man has moved him to
pen this article.
To the Temperate man, he who scorns the
idea Of belonging to o Total Abstinence Society
. word of advice and perhaps warning Is now
given. Do not look with contempt upon these
societies simply because there are among their
membership reformed drunkards. Recollect
most illustrious men Of the age both clerical
and lay; among the former arc Archbishop
Manning who has been Total Abstainer for
several years, and Archbishop Bayley, who is
foremost in the holy work. And among the
latter are men of talent, wealth and influence,
many Of whom have abstained from irtoxica-
ting drinks for twenty, thirty, forty and even
fifty years. Wait not for the time of tempta-
% En- fasf Of OF for
moro moderate than you have fallen these
occasions. The drunkards of to-day are but
the moderate drinkers of past years, ~" Look
not upon the wine when it Is yellow, when the
color thereof shineth in tho glass. 1t goeth
in pleasantly, but in the end it will bite like a
snake, and will spread abroad poison like q
basilisk."
care not who you are nor what your cir
cumstances in life may he say be manly, be
charitable give your example and influence
to a laudable, Christian and honorable work
in holy cause join Immediately Total Alb
stinence Society; and, perhaps on your dying
bed yourself and your family will not regret
it. Oh! if the heartrending supplications OF
an almost broken-hearted wife with helpless
children, an aged mother or affectionste sister
for assistance In their endeavors to reform q
drunken husband, son or brother could but
reach your ear, perhaps this advice would bs
moro readily accepted.
To the Total Abstinence man, he who ha
his eternal as well as temporal welfare in view
and also the welfare of his neighbor at heart
the writer says Love your religion, frequen
the sacraments-be diligent in prayer and in
cessantly ask the grace of final perseverance
in that virtue which you love 30 we'll. Rely
not upon your own strength, for without
me-" says Christ, you can do nothing"
But two years since the Catholic Total Alb
stinence Union Of America was formed will
9Th inst, this same Union will hold it's Third
Annual Convention in New York city and will
have representation of about $50 delegates
from 30sStates and 2 Territories ont of the 81
States and IL Territories in the Union, as well
as represent alton from New Brunswick, Can
ada, representing an aggregate membership Of
over $4,000 Such is the marvellous progress
of the Total Abstinence movement
In his work ON The Irish in America, John
Francis Mcguire, whom Father Burke calls
one of Ireland's best and noblest sons, says:
"were asked to say what believed to be
the most serious obstacle to the advancement
of the Irish in America, would unhesitatingly
anBwer-DriRk
"The prevailing custom or habit Of perpet
ual challenge to Indulgence. syringe more from
. spirit Of kindness. than q craving for sensua
qualification. Invitations to drinks ore uni
versal, as to rank and station, time and place
hour and circumstance; they literally raj,
upon you. The Americans are perhaps abou
the most thoroughly wide awake people in tn
world, yet they must have an eye-opener il
morning. To prepare for meals, you are re
questedto fortify your stomach and etimulat
your digestive powers with an appetizer T.
got along in the day, you are invited to accep
the assistance of q pony Ifyou are startle'
to refuse ct least nip. And who but tn
most morose-and the Irishman is all genialt!
can refuse the influence of o smileF Now
a'oooktail,' now 'coIbler' here a juleeP,
potency Of the bourbon, your surely arc no
afraid Of single glass of lager beer
"Were it possible to induce Irishmen, IL no
to abandon drink altogether, which is not a
all likely or probable, at least to be moderate
in its use, the result would be q blessed one
Il were impossible to imagine any result NOR
blessed, more glorious. It would lift up thu
Irish race in America as with o miraculous
power, simply because Irishmen would thor
have an opportunity of exhibiting, withou
flaw or blemish, those qualities which, when