The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-08-21
TEMPERANCE.
The Catholic Society at the Court House.

Tn. Catholic Society at the Court House.
On Monday evening the members of the Faith
or Mathew Catholic Total Abstcnance Society of
this CITY, together with their friends, to the
number of nearly one thousand, assembled at
the court house to hear the address OF Hon. f.
Lynch, president Of the State Union, from Lin
coin.
The audience was called to order by John
Burke, Esq, president Of the Ottawa Socicty,who
announced the object Of the meeting and intro
duced the orator.
Mr.. Lynch proceeded in very clear and dis
tinct tone TO treat the subject OF temperance
from the stand point taken by the society OF
which he was member. He was here to do
good and TO work no illwill to any. His mode
of operations, and the method by which he ex-
pected to lure the drunkard from his vices back
to the walks of soberness and prosperity, was by
the "still small voice" OF love and confidence,
believing that the cause OF temperance Is best
promoted by the exercise of mans humanity
to man." He had no word Of censure for the
saloon keepers, but said that they were good
men an gentlemen, but unfortunately had EN-
barked in q business which was tending TO de.
grade rather than elevate their fellow men. He
worked in the cause because he believed II to be
Just, and could never expect to win drunkard
from his downward course by Matchmaking some
body else. He believed in appealing to the can
dor and intelligence of his fellow Irishnen rath-
or than heap upon them a volume Of calumy and
vituperation.
The Americans had coupled the names Of
Irishman and whisky drinker together for SO
long time as to make the terms synonymous.
The comparison or association OF terms was,
alas! too true.
The speaker then described in detail the hab
its both in the mother country and after landing
IN this of the Irish emigrHt's adoption; how he,
1.-THE emigrant), possessed Of heart full Of Irish
benevolence, sought the association OF his coun-
trymen in New York and other cities; how lie
found them reckless, drinking set; and how, on
account Of their convivial nature, they had en-
tered a career Of carousng rather than strive for
the proud position (both in finances and society
to which the physical endurance and true nobil,
ity of the Irish people justly entitled his coun.
trymen.
He dwelt feeliugly upon the theme Of Irish in.
dependence and Irish ambition, and pointed at
the subject OF irish and Polish slavery as a doom
brought upon the subjects by their own acts.
lie appealed TO the candor and patriotism Of the
sons OF Erin's green isle, to throw off their only
master (appetite) and raise themselves to the
manhood which was their brthright; to prac-
tice all the good principles of Irish character,
and take their place as the formost intellccts in
the land
He pointed to the fact that the Americans,
Germans and French were forming organizations
in all communities for their own protection, and
urged his countrymen to rally shoulder to Shout.
der under the folds Of Father Mathews green
flag and protect themselves against the greatest
foe to Ireland's independence, namely: Irish
whisky.
He appealed in eloquent language to the mod.
crate drnker, the fashionable "young Irish gen.
tleman who was just learning to take glass In
hopes to be as smart as his associates; spoke of
the pcrnicOus tendencies which surrounded tb.
first cup, and warned the young men, the hope
OF his nation, Of the results of intempcrance He
counselled the wives, mothers and sisters OF the
Irish people TO set holy example, and win by
their example and advice the hayward tippler
from the evil Of his way.
Our space prevents mere detailed account OF
the address, but we do not desire to close our re-
port without adding our endorsement to the en-
tire remarks Of Mr.. Lynch and Father Terry, and
only hope that their labors may result in the
elevation of Irish character to that high stand
ard which they so much desire