The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-08-11
The Temperance Convention.

The following letter was received
last week. but too late for publica.
tiOn.-EDS.
Editors Free Press:
Thinking that a few facts concern.
ing the National Catholic Temper
ance convention which is in session
here would interest your readers, we
remit synopsis of. what we have
seen and heard.
Nearly every State in the Union
is present, and while the detail, may
not be of interest to your readers il
should begratifying to the Protestant
temperance workers of Blue Earth
county to know that their Catholic
brethren are doing SO much in this
direction.
Our information will relate directly
to last nights proceedings. The first
item on the programme was Il gigan-
tic street parade. There were four
bands in attendance. among them the
Great Western and Great Union.
The possession formed at the corner
of Seventh and Wabasha streets, OPP
pOsite Market Hall. 1t consisted of
Il body of delegates of different socie-
ties of Minnesota, and Il large number
of citizens of st. Paul and Minneapo-
lis, with torch lights. 1t was Il grand
sight; but the music capped the
climax. After marching for an hour
and half through the city, they re-
turned to Market Hall, which was
soon packed by hundreds of people.
to listen to IN entertainment consist
ing of music and speeches. The
exercises were opened with music by
one of the bands; which was followed
by song of welcome rendered by
male Octette. We shall not COM
mend on the singing. but it was i'm
mense. Rev. Father Shanely then
introduced Gov. Hubbard who well
coined the delegates and societies in
behalf of the State, and he was fol-
lowed by Mayor Rice, of st. Paul,
who rendered the freedom and hospi.
tality of the city to all. Rev. Father
Dannahue, of Brooklyn, N. Y, was
then introduced, and none was sorry
that he was. He is IA little plump,
pretty, portly, pussy, pleasant Irish
man of 10 average ability, and his
serene cOunlenance would cure any
one of fit of the "hypos.' He
dwelt earnestly Oh Mlnnesota's eX-
cellence and the great good art and
industry have done for her, hut as
sured the people that he advocated
something which would do more for
our State than either of these, i. C.,
total abstinence. He said it will give
us men; men of great moral and intel
lectual ability, two things which no
State can prosper without. Father
Wickman. of Indiana, next took the
stand and his mien, as he came for
ward, plainly said: ''LoOk out now,
I'm going to say what | please,
whether it suits you or not" and he
did. The gist Of his remarks were
with relation to the Germans of our
country. After highly commencing
them for their efforts in temperance
work he gave them some timely adj
vice. His remarks were equally blen'
ded with wit and wisdom. He was
followed by an Octette choir from
Winona, who sang an anthem in such
fine style that they were encored and
sang beautiful hymn. The singing
was grand but the sentiment was lost
because of our inability to under
stand. Father VIM. Kelly, of Bos.
ton, spoke few minutes, and we
never heard Il man who could send
thought and motion to the hearts of
his hearers with more force. His
gestures, infection and stress showed
eloctiOnary perfection. He is a loud,
distinct speaker, but with voice so
smooth and musical that it charms
the nearer. He made touching ap-
peal to his countrymen to boost the
temperance cause with all their
might and lift themselves above the
greatest demon in existence. We
we're then favored with another male
octette. which was followed by few
remarks from attorney Murray, of
st. Paul. A few of the young men
of the Minneapolis Crusaders sang a
song and chorus. The exercises were
concluded with a good night song by
the WinOna choir. Lemonade was
freely distributed to the audience
during the evening. Just as the
town clock was striking twelve the
crowd dispersed, while the Great
Western and other bands dispersed
charming music both in doors and
out. Respectfully,
TEETOTALER.