The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-23
GENERAL CONTENTION OF THE CATHO.
Lie TOTAL ABSTINENCE UNION OF
AMERICA. 5aE

| LIZ 1O1dL doSl1NENCE CN1ON VI
This Convention, Numbering about two hun
dred and fifty delegates from all the States O
the Union and Canada, met IN philadelphia OF
{ the 46h and 5th mats. A great deal of import
| ant business was transacted, but as it is OILY
| of special interest to the members of the OF.
ganization, who will receive it through their
| official organ, the Union, we omit dstails here
The general public, however, are sufficiently
interested in this great Catholic work to read
with pleasure the folio wing documents which
were submitted to the Convention
THE VERY REV. PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Gentlemen and Brother Delegates According
| to constitutional requirement., proceed to lay
before you my third and last report on the
st'te of the Union, and respectfully ask your
patient attention during it's reading. In many
respects it will differ but little from those
which preceded it, for our course during the
year has been calm and urdisturbed, our laws
| cheerfully obeyed and the duties of your Presi-
dent rendered light and pleasant. As you will
perceive from the Secretary's report, there has
societies, and l think the condition of the
finances is healthy. Owing to tho present great
monetary depression of onr country, l did not
feel Justified in creating any new causes of out
lay, and have even withheld Fl ON making de-
mands which might be proper, but w hich were
not absolutely necessary. 10 the reception OF
bOCl6tl66, l. nave RQnSrGu STRICTLY to the rules
laid down in our Constitution, and have ad-
mitted none which did not conform fully to ali
our Requirements This mention, not merely
a fact connected with my official duty, bu5
az q guide to my successor. For from a wide
range of correspondence with the episcopacy
and the clergy, am convinced that u depart
ure from this course will be one of the speediest
nieaDs of destroying thiSjnvaluabie Union. /
need not say that the general condition of the
Union is good liz is, thanks to the good God,
better than ever hoped to see it, Tnrough ouJ
he k1aDk hnay haar a6 no
dence from venerable and wise prelstes aud |
far seeing prests, which snow 10 we'll rooted |
in the respect and love of tie hierarchy, aud |
how thoroughly known IN all it's workings our |
Union Is. From the laiJy, 8ithQns as we'll as |
within cur ranks, there have come 10 MS fire. |
quent tokens OF high appreciation, which prove |
good, if We only run il wieely aud according to |
approved principles. Those fears which |
haunted our movement are vanishing rapidly
those specious reasons which armed MANY
against us losing their force; and those
artful predictions made TO strsngls tnis Union
in its cradle, are beled by every hour of our
existence. But this nust not make us less pru-
dent or watchful: for many precious vessel,
after skilful plotting over the storuliest waves
was wrecked within the ofing 1t reo4ired
prudence, tact and courage to lnaugurate the
this movement, and win for it foothold in tho
confidence of all, aud it will need the same to
preserve aud extend it. Singleness of aim and
purpose, combined with dootle obedience to
Just authority, and vigorous action tempered
with prudence and discretion, will do the
whole, and if any of these be put aside, our
cause must wane, and the Union, which has
tion," come TO naught From the very begin
ming of this movement, had dread OF special
interests, and fear them still. They begin to
crop out more day by day, and less sum-
narily checked, must work the ruin of our
cause. OF them l would say, my parting
advice, I" Never allow them an entrance into
Abstinapce on Catholic principles is the sole
object we had in forming this Union, and the
propagation of Total Abstinence on Catholic
principles is the only object we should ever |
suffer TO be brought to our notice.
When any one unfolds to something else,
10 matter how good or plausible in itself, or
hows by his conduct that special motives be-
ideS the progress OF this Union Influence his
lotions, that man, no matter what his position,
alents or zeal may be, should never be promi- ,
TENT in our councils. This is not yet enough.
IN the choice of officers We should not let our
tksctions control us, or specious or plausible .
peeches. But without regard to North or
south, East or West, We should choose men
proved and wellknown. The contrary usage
las wrecked many grand associations; can
,urs, under the same circumstances fare bet
or 2 Besides these dangers of . general char
soter and the common Inheritance of all or
plantations, we have to guard against hasty
egislatioD, or lending ourselves to pretentious
7iews, nor however ably proponnded, but ,
which are neither founded on solid reasons nor
approved by the warranty of experience. A
Tear, in this rapid age, is a long Anne, and be-
ore q mistake can be remedied whole year {
must elapse. Yet much mischief may be done
between one Convention and another.
The three great props of our work and Union
ire Total AbstiReRoe, the Catholic Basis and the
Transfer System and on these all legislatian
hould be uniform, clear and practical. Now
IN each of these three there is much that 10 an
sgonistic, confused and dif4cult Of execution.
Eases on each point will doubtless be brought
% your notice during this Convention, and
reed not enter into details. However, the rules
regulating the pledge, both rs to matter and /
manner, and specific time should be uniform
hat the game maY .hefpand eYeryThera No,