Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-05-26
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
A ROusing Meeting In Minneapolis Last
Night-Bishop Ireland's Address.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

A mass temperance meeting, under tn
auspices OF the Crusaders society, was bel,
at Harmonic hall last evening. The audi
forum was filed to OVERLOOKING. The meet
ing was opened by the president of the society
Ambrose Cannon, who stated the objects o
the gathering. The programme led off with {
piano duet by Messrs. Wood and Wall, fol
lowed by vocal duet by Mrs. Perry ant
James Dryer. Father James McGolrick mex
stepped forward and made an earnest and fer
vent plea for total abstinence. He was con
WINGED that, in growing community like
this where strangers were CONSTANTLY coming
among us, it was especially necessary that 8
strenuous effort should be made to
prosecute the work of temperance.
He then introduced Rt. Rev. Bishop Ire.
land, who began by assuring his hearers that
it was with the deepest satisfaction he wit
messed the extensive gathering of ladies and
gentlemen. 1t proves the interest you take
in the temperance movement. 10 the fact that
you take such an interest in temperance, much
is vouchsaved for the religious Christian
future of the community. He continued:
We now propose to make the total abstinence
more general, and would urge more extensive
membership. Men do not reject sufficiently
upon the enormity of the evil, or upon the
happy results of total abstinence. AS matter
of fact, more than four-ffths of all crime
arises from intemperance. If we could only
make our people total abstinence people we
might well thank providence, We would be
second to none in that which goes to make q
grand, intelligent, prosperous and happy
people. Intemperance is great contending
evil-our curse. Taking the country at large
in the United States, three-fourths of the
crimes were caused by intemperance. Especi-
ally is this true of the Irish people. A few
years ago commissioners were appointed in
Suffolk county, Mass, for the purpose of test
ing the principal causes OF crime. During
1881 of all crimes COMMITTED in that
county, 70 per cent. of the convictions
were directly rum crimes. Four fifths of all
convictions of criminals in Boston were d.
rectly caused by intemperance. Examine day
after day convictions which are made in the
municipal court of Minneapolis, fully three
fourths are rum crimes. What is it which
prevents man from committing crime? 1t
is reason and Gods grace. Drink weakens
reasons and faith in God, and at the same
time it has the effect to stir up all the evil
passions of the man. Drink is demon.
throughout the land. The statistics show over
three-fourths of all inmates of poor houses
and asylums were sent there by drink direct y
or indirectly. If our church property were to
burn down total abstinence, in six months
would suffice to pay for the construction of
every edidce. He could snow the immense
proportion of poverty insanity, and NOR
tality which resulted directly from intemper-
ance. Ten thousand times better be slaves to
the veriest task masters than Of the demon in.
temperance, which grinds you into dishonor
and impoverishes your homes. He would not
say aught which would offend IN Irishman.
Their faults were well known and telling
them among themselves cannot offend the
sensible man.
He would weigh the Irish in the balance
with any people of Gods world as to their
virtues and glorious qualities, but they have
one great fault, one serious vice-intemper-
ance. This wOeful vice outweighs all their
virtues.
The speaker here Interpreted historical
sketch of Ireland to her struggles. Her peo-
pie were temperate, upright, Conscientious
Catholics, suntil Luciier who had tested her
people in every way he could devise, finally
invented the only means by which Irishmen
could be overcome and degraded. 1t was by
dethroning his reason. Lucifer then
gave them rum and the little
isle conquered more than all landlords against
whom our people have risen. Whisky has
impoverished our people during the last fifty
years. 1rishmen have largely comprised the
population of the United States, land do they oc-
cupy the positions their talents entitle them
to? No! And the reason is their inveterate
intemperance. That is the Irshman's curse.
Reports of the municipal courts throughout
the land showed that so per cent. of the con-
victs are Irishmen. Eighty per cent. of the
drink, and the Irish people would only fur
nish 10 per cent. of the criminals. Half glass
of whisky will do an Irishman more harm
o oaha peop ps 1rshmen aPs if ght hesred
That's the very reason. Let him take glass
of liquor instead of going home as usual as
would others. He walks down the public
square to show himself and does show him
self. The speaker hoped Father McGolrick
present. He would hereafter devote four
fifths of his time to the total abstinence
cause. He would be happy to come to Mime
apolis frequently. With God speed he closed
his address.
Piano solo, Miss Kate Norling; duet, Miss
Burke, Mr.. Lennon followed. Rev. Father
Culley, of Winona, next addressed the meet
ing.
He began by remarking there was nothing
left to say. He spoke particularly of the nation
al Catholic Total Abstinence union and &C
corded to the Minneapolis total abstinence
leaders the honor of the championship of the
great topic OF the times. 1t is the Irish peo-
pie who have dlshonor, disgrace and odium
brought upon them. The bitches of Ireland
are filed with bones of Irish people. Turn
ing from Ireland to America he traced the
path of Irish emigration by the bones in the
sea. The bones of thousands upon thousands
of Irishmen remained for power greater
than could be welded by England. A power
greater than landlordism. The incident woes
and trials brought Ireland to disgrace. It was
left to alcoholism to accomplish this
dire result. 1t brought want,
poverty, ruin and death. The speaker spoke
of the many superstitions with which Irish
were impelled to battle in order to become
total abstinence people. He closed by appeal
ing to his hearers to unite theEs elves with
temperance organizations.
Mons L. Baker next gave a vocal number in
excellent voice and good method.
Father Stanley closed the meeting by call
ing upon the people to come forward and
sign the pledge with the crusaders organiza a.
ton.
NORTHFIELD.