The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-08-13
TOTAL ABSTINENCE ITEMS.

TOTAL ABsTINENCE ITEMS.
At the earnest request of q number of pat
riotic Irishmen and practical Total Abstainerg,
we copy the following letter which appeared
in recent number of the New York irish
World:
CAN WE DO THIS FOR IRELAND
ahs Irish National Temperance Union Recently
Formed a Test for Many icho Profess to be
8 re to Sacrifice Erer Life Itself for Ireland
The World Respect as sceU as Irelands Free
dom to be Gained.
CLERMoNT, Penn, July goth, 1876.
1t was with great pleasure read the an
nouncement in your journal of the formation
OF an Irish National Temperance Union, the
race as means towards freeing Ireland. New
York has started this movement. What are
the other cities doingf Have we no sterling
patriots outside of New York who have cour-
age enough to make opposition to the use of
intoxicating liquor, that deadly enemy of our
race, an article of the national faith If this
movem emit prove failure what will the world
sayf What can it say 1t can say nothing
less than what we ourselves must acknowl-
edge, an lrishman's love for his country is
nothing but a sham, for if it was real he would
not turn deaf ear to his poor countrys cries
begging him, If he cannot gain for her free
oom' to gain for her, at least, respect. Imam.
taln, and it has been maintained by some of
the most Intelligent men of our race, that an
hrnan addicted to intoxication cannot be
true patriot true patriot is ever ready at
bis country's call. Is the drunkard one of
thosef Can he be depended ont The Irish are
continually blowing and Dragging about their
love Tor their country there is nothing in the
World they would not do or dare for her sake.
Now, here is a chance for many of them to
prove their boosted love of country to be the
genuine article. The Irish National Temper
ance Union calls upon them, in the name of
their country, to shuQ all intoxicating drink
until she becomes free. Some may say: But
suppose she never gains her freedom, then all
our self-imposed abstinence will go for moth
ing. Bah the man who reasons like that is
not worthy of the name of man. Is the name
of temperate and united people worth moth
ingf If we cannot gain freedom for Ireland
principles, will we not gain her respect7 Will
we not gain respect for ourselvesf Anyway
we have Test placed before us now. We are
called upon to prove our love for Ireland; to
prove that though we have been enslaved by
two strong powers England and Whiskey). We
WIZ conquer one-whiskey-so that we can be
able to soundiy thrash the other, and if in the
end we should fail to gain the independence of
ireland we shall have the proud satisfaction of
feeling that we obeyed poor Irelands call and
that if we did not succeed in gaining her indie
pendence we did succeed in gaining for her
and ourselves respect viii answer this
calf Yours, TEMPERANCE.
Some OF these suggestions are good but what
necessity is there OF forming another Total Alb
stlnence Society when the one already in exist
ence is Infinitely superior, in that it secures to
its faithful members the necessary grace to re-
sist temptation. 1t is already in successful
operation throughout the Union and Canada,
and numbers 10000 Irishmen in its
ranks. Let all who would help old Ireland
all who mean what they say when they profess
to be willing to make any sacrifice for her well
fare, join the Catholic Total Abstinence Socie-
ties already organized, or, if none exists in their
immediate ueighborhood, organize one On the
basis which has received the cordial spproba-
tion of His Holiness, Pope Plus TX, and OF
most of the bishops and priests of Ireland and
America.
St. Peters Society will meet to-day, at 1880
O'Clock, in the school house, Mariguy street.
The Philadelphia Standard records this in
teresting incident:
noteworthy incident occurred in organic
ing the new Society at Doylestown on last Sun
day. grandfather, his two sons and nephew,
and three grandchildren, making seven in one
father, Mathew Biglan, is 95 years old, and as
hale and hearty as if he were 30 years young
er. He is the oldest man connected with our
movement in America, and he certainly sets
worthy example to his juniors. We suggest to
ST. Mary's Society, of Doylestown, to elect him
an honorary member, without having to nay
any initiation fee, dues or other charges. The
Society is honored in having such q patriarch
on its rolls
st. Theresa's Society meets this evening in
ST. Theresa's Hall.
The N. o. c. T. a. Association meets in the
Star Hall! a. 80 p NJ. to-day.
St. Johns Society will hold an adjourned
meeting at : 80 P. NJ, Tuesday next, 18Th.