The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-12-21


NIGHr-AN ADDRESS BY BISHOP KEASE
AGAINST LIQUOR TRAFFIC ON THE LORDS
DAy-REsOLUTTONs ADOPTED AND A
PLEDGE sIGsED. &C.
Since The inauguration OF the movement
in this city, few months ago, having for It's
aim fhe suppression Of the traffic in liquor
on Sunday and the consequent improve
ment i'm ihe Observance OF ine Divine COM
maDd to keep the SlbDatb-day holy, nothing
more tangible. nor more likely 10 cUIiDnate
In substantial results, has been done than
the step just taken by that veDerated pre-
late OF the Catholic Church, Right Rev. J. +.
Keane, bishop Of the diocese OF Richmond,
who, IL will be remembered, took such an
active part In the original movement. Since
his advent in our midst he has ever been a
ze1lous worker in the cause OF temperance
generally. and when cIled upon by many
Of our most prominent citizens TO assist ia
the endeayor to have the Sabbath properly
observed, particularly by the suppression OF
the sale OF intoxicating drink on the Lords
day, he responded with aiacrity and earn
esiDess, lending the great powers OF his
mind and tongue in pubhcly advocating the
good work His powerful speech at Mozart
Hall last winter, and his letter to the CON-
mittee cf the Legislature on the same sub
iec', VIII not soon be forgotten. Not c)n-
tent with the only partial benefits then OBJ
tained, and being still anxious 10 promote
The work then begun, be has now taken the
lead in another movement in the same
dlrectiOn-a movement In which he has
already met with such hearty cD0peratiOn
on the part OF those most directly interested
that It's ultimate success seems to be an
assured fact.
THE MEETING SUNDAY NIGHT.
With the object above stated IN view, the
Right Rev. Bishop caused announcements
to be made on Sunday last from the pulp,ts
OF the three Catholic churches inviting all
Catholics engaged In the sale OF liquors tO
meet him the same evening at half-past
O'Clock at Cathedral Hall, and urging full
attendance. In response to the call quite
large number OF persons met at the time and
place named, Bishop Keane end Very Rev.
Father JanSsens being also present. With
out any delay the Bishop called the meeting
TO order, and opened the proceedings with
prayer. He then proceeded to state his OBJ
ject in calling them together.
BISHOP KEANE's REMARKS.
He first spoke OF the great responsibility
put upon him as bishop. Ii was position
he had never desired, knowing, as he did.
the OnerOus duties attached thereto, and
had his wishes been respected he would
have preferred to have remained an humble
priest 10 minister to the welfare OF his flock
IN that capacity. But Almighty God had
seen tit to place upon him this great burden,
and he felt bound to use his best endeavOrs
in fulfilling The duties devolyrg upon him.
He felt The same responsibility for all
classes OF his people, be they ever so high
or lOwly. To those engaged in the traffic
OF liquor he was now addres.n. himself.
The business was one III which there
was always danger OF giving scandal,
and be felt that he WIS bound. 10
lead all to understand their duty 10 God
and to their neighbOr. HIS personal feel
ings were as nothing in This matter. He
had no i'll feeling for any OF the people en-
gagged in this business, but felt the kindest
affection for all. 1t was Il business full OF
danger, and he felt that every effort should
be made TO modify the evils that attended it.
The honest cirDenter, the humble cObbler,
the hard listed and hard-working black
| smith, in fact the members OF all trades,
could offer up 10 God all their work and
every movement connected with il. thereby
rendering honor unto Him. But he would
ask inall candor and charity what man who
tratticked in liquor could, upon rising in
the morning, say: "My God, offer TO Thee
every glass OF whiskey 1 may sell to-day,
and | desire that it be for thy honor
and glory? In all trades the father
can encourage his boy TO emulate his exam
pie and learn TO earn his living by an hon.
orable avOcltiOn. But what father is there
who can see bis boy come behind his bar
and deaf on, liquor day after day! lie did
not believe that any father could stand this I;
nor that he could consent to start his boy
| in the liquor business for life. Did his
hearers think that the heart Of the mother
| Church wos clad TO look around and see so
many OF her children engaged in the liquor
traffic! No, 1t was no pride TO the Church
OF God; no consolation. Although il was
not such a business as God could love or
| that could be encouraged and looked upon
with favor by his ministers, yet he
WAS sure that many things could he
done TO lessen It's evils. He cXbOrted
them for the sake Of everything they held
dear in this world, and lOr the sake OF their
souls salvation, to do their best TO get out
of The business at any time when an opp0r.
tunity should offer II, however, they must
lc1ntipue i'm il, let it be cIrred on in the
best way 10 do the least harm. The Bishop
then siid he had led series OF reSo-
lutions embodying the action he desired 10
have taken, which he read, as follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
ResOiued, That we recognize the liquor
business ID be one which, considering the
drinking customs OF our times, ispeculiarly
beset with occasions Of sin and dangers OF
scandal.
Resoiued, That white regrettng the ne
cessty which cOmpels Us 10 remain IN thls
business as il way OF making our living, we
are determined to avoid in 1t whatever
would be contrary to the laws OF God ana
the Church. ~
Resoiued, That we will never sell liquor
| TO intoxicated persons.
| ReSOiped, That we will not sell liquor 10
those who are on the poOt OF intoxlcl'
tlon. and who would be made so by what
we would sell them.
Resolved, That we will not sell liquor on
Sunday.
| Resolred, That we will not allow other'
under our charge TO do any OF the things
above resolved against.
Resoiued, That we will not allow the ex
ample or influence OF breakers 10 de'ei
us from our good resolution.
After reading the resolutions ana explaIn
ing the requirements OF each one. th'
Bishop read them separately and invited
discussion thereon. A number OF the gen
temen present spoke in strong terms In al
yocacy Of the resolutions, while others mad'
known their objections. After full eX
preston OF views they were each voted OF
separately aud adopted unanimously. 4
resolution pledging those present not 10 SCI
lianor on ChrIstmas-day was adopted IN