The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-08

The first convention Of the Father Mathew I
A. Society since the formation of the County
Union was held in this city on last Tuesday ar
| tcrnoon in the hall in Reddick's block. All the
societies except that Of Lostant were represent.
ed There was not much business to be done
the main object Of the convention being TO have
the Union make agood showingof their strength
in the procession on the Fourth. This object
was partially defeated by the rain which prevent
ed the country societies from appearing in mass
as was the original intention. The Society and
Cadets of La Sale and the Society OF Utica which
arrived AT 1927, headed by the La Sale Society
band however, made fine showing and while
parading were the observed of all observers"
The only business Of the convention Of impor-
lance to the public was the presentation of the
following address to the Catholic total absti-
nence men of La Sale county.
TO the Catholic Total abstinence Union Of La Safe
County:
BRETHREN: The Catholic Total Abstinence
Union of LA Sale county, in convention assem-
bed, beg leave to address you on subject near
and dear to every one OF us and necessary 10 QUE
future welfare and influence in the community
the subject Of total abstinence. We need not
point out to you the Importance, to us, OF the
spread of total abstinence among us II is spoken
in language that cannot be mistaken by the sad
contrast existing between the home OF the drunk
ard and that Of the total abstinence man. The
one, alas is the picture of VICE. want and misery.
The other is the picture Of comfort and happi-
ness. The question, then, for each of us to con-
slider is how can we more efiectually bring the
blessing of total abstinence into every Cotholic
household. We believe the most etiectual way
to do this is for each and every one of us to take
a personal interest in the spread of the cause,
and, in season and out OF season. use our person
al efforts with our neighbors and friends to in
duce them to become members Of our local So
ciety TO this end, then, we beseech you, fellow
temperance men, to labor until every one Of our
countrymen In the county are not only total ab-
stainers, but also members OF the local society.
Depend not on any one to assist you in this mat
ter, but consider yourselves temperance apostles,
and 20 to work with an earnestness worthy OF
the holy cause for which you labor, and God VIII
crown your efforts with complete success. We
need not point out to you the advantages OF or.
ganized effort. II you but consider for mo-
ment you will see that many great works sue
tceeded only through the organized efforts Of
those who labored for their success. Therefore,
it will be only through our local societies. Your
duty, then, is to strengthen the local societies,
and you will thereby remove the stain which has
too long attached to our race Of being the wills.
ky drinkers of the nation, and, instead, we will
establish for ourselves the contrary character
that Of being the soberest part Of the comnun-
ity the best citizens, the kindest neighbors, and
the mos; trustworthy employees.
THOMAS +. NOOK,
JOHN COFFEY,
JOIN OBRlEN,