National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-24
ADDRESS OF THE CATHOLIC UNION OF
AMERICA

ADDRESS OF THE CATHOLIC UNION OF
AMERICA.
The address of the convention recently assem-
bled at Chicago, Illinois, has just been distri-
buted to the members Of the union through the
churches in this city.
To the Catholics Of AiHeTied:
The delegates here assembled send you q
kindly greeting We have come together from
all parts OF this continent for the purpose Of
sulting as to the best means Of promoting the
noble and Catholic cause Of total abstinence
among our cO-religiOnists in America. 1t is not
necessary for US to remind you Of the many evils
of intemperance. You are all aware Of the fear
full results Of this terrible vice. They visible
in every town and hamlet Of the land Drunken
ness is one of the greatest evils that aflIcts hu-
mGnity at the present day, and, as one of the
deadly or capital sins, is the fruitful source Of
numBeTless other evils. 1t leads to poverty, suf-
fering, Wretchedness and crime. The mass of in-
mates in our penal institutions can attribute their
degradation TO the inOrdinate use OF intoxicating
drink 1t effects all classes, the rich and the
poor, the young and the old. There is scarcely a
family in the land that has not felt, directly or
indirectly, its desOlating influence. How many
noble young men of all ranks Of society has it not
cut down in the prime Of their usefulness? How
many wives and mothers has it rendered broken
hearted? How many helpless children has it
made orphans, and exposed to the fearful danger
of losing their faith? No tongue can tell the
numberless evils II has entailed on the human
race.
The Catholic Church has always preached the
virtue Of temperance; II is one Of the cardinal
are not temperate, and hence the necessity for
total abstinence societies. If all men were tenn
perate there would be no need of addressing you
upon this subject. Human nature is weak, and
the temptation to drink intoxicating liquors is
strong. Many hnd it difficult, nay, almost i'm
possible, to keep within the bounds of mOdera-
tiOn. For such, total abstinence, with the as
sistance Of Gods grace, is the only certain rem
eGy. As an Inducement, then, to such as are not
already members, we here present o few Of the
many advantages to be derived from connection
with our grand organization.
Our union is founded upon the Catholic basis,
and has the cordial appreciation of the Venerated
hierarchy OF the United States and Canada. We
have q transfer system in successful operation by
which persons changing their places Of residence,
or travelling on business or pleasure, are fra
ternally received wherever q society aggregated
TO this union exists. This feature Of our union we
would especially commend to your earnest con-
sideratiOn. The Catholic Total Abstinence Union
Of America is now spread all over the continent,
and wherever its members may travel they will
meet with friendly greetings.
There is, however, another reason beyond that
Of temporal advantage which should be of greater
weight with Catholics, namely: the spiritual ad-
VantaRes TO be derived from connection with our
organization. The members are required to ap-
prOach the sacraments at stated periOds-an ad-
VANTAGE which cannot be too highly priced, since
we rely for success upon the grace OF God, com
municated to us through the sscraments Of the
Church. In conclusion, fellow Catholics of
America, we earnestly appeal to you to unite
with us in alternating the vast amount Of misery
and suffering inflicted upon our fellow beings by
the destructive vice of intemperance.
Respectfully submitted: Rev. ]. '. COnlan,
Ohio, chairman: John F. Murtagh, Brooklyn;
Rev. W. Murphy, Illinois; Rev. S. Doyle, Ten
nessee; VIM. McMennmin, Wilmington, DEL;
Very Rev. W. J. Dunn, Louisville, KY; Thos.
T. DWyer, New York; Patrick Byrnes, New
jersey; F. J. Murphy, Indiana; J. q. DOnnelly,
ST. Paul, Mimi; Joel Zane, Philadelphia; NJ.
O'CarroT, Tennessee; Rev. Andrew Cullen, (by
pTOX.,) San Francisco, Cal.