The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-05-12
Total Abstinence Union.

renresenting fifteen societies, present, the
rrmber of the societies belonging thereto
and It's jurisdiction having been materially
lessened by the recent organization OF the
Arch Diocese Union, embracing a goodly
portion OF Northern Illinois. This division
of the work of the cause Of total abstinence
In the Catholic church, We are assured, by
no means weakens it, but gives to Chicago
and the surrounding districts the special
means TO carry forward its principles there
that the occasion seems 10 require. The so.
cleties represented at the Ottawa meeting
were: Father Matthew Societies OF Chebanse,
Springfield, Ottawa, Strcator, Amboy, Peoria
Aurora, Joliet aud Champaign; St. patricKs
Societies of Decatur and Shefiield; 81.
Joseph's o! Braid wood, aud ST. Mary's, oil
Joliet
Tuesday morning high mass was ceie-
brated at st. Columbia church, Rev Father
Powers, Of Peru, celebTant, assisted by Reys.
O,Neil and Donovan, of Ottawa. These ser
vices were attended 10y the delegates and the
local societies Of Ottawa and Slrestor, the
procession to the church being Leaded by
Bach's band. The sermon OF the occasion
was delivered by Father Ryan, OF this city,
who portrayed the virtues OF total ahsti
nence.
Following this service the convention met
in the hall and organized, Patrick Burke, Of
Joliet, chairman, and James a. Kennedy, OF
Springfield, secretary.
The routine business of the convention
was disposed OF during the two sessions neld
Cd that day, including the addresses by the
president and secretary, which gave the
standing and condition OF the work tran
sacted since the October meeting held in De-
catur.
In the evening public meeting was held
at the Opera House, an address of welcome
being delivered by Mayor Allen on behalf OF
the city, and Father Donovan on the part OF
the society here. The address of the evening
was delivered by Rev. Father Hagan, OF Chi
cago, president of the Arch Diocese, who
spoke forcibly of the evils of intemperance
and the abuses that followed the use OF ar
dent spirits, but as the dividing line between
a temperate and Incorporate use was so diff
ilcult to see the only absolutely safe course
was to follow total abstinence. The speaker
also favored high license rs being one OF
the means of restraining the evil. Upon the
platform were the several protestant clergy
men of the city, the meeting being through
out harmonious and appreciative. Bartels's
Glee Club discOursed good music at inter
walls. Several short addresses were made by
the local clergy, and also oae by NJ. I. Molo-
new, who was rather forced from his retire
mcnt upon the rear of the stage. The last
speaker heartily commended the cause in
which the Union was working, although he
might differ with them somewhat in the
special needs as regards the Irish race more
than that of any other.
On Wednesday morning the session OF the
convention was resumed, with President
Burke in the chair. The committee to whom
was referred the address of the president and
secretary reported the same back with their
approval; also setting forth the necessity of
q more systematic work on the part OF the
officers of the State Union and its local
branches towards securing new societies,
and with more concerted action in the inter-
est of the cause.
The treasurer's report showing thirty five
societies on the roll with an aggregate mem
bership of 1859, also the receipts and expen-
dltures, was presented and referred to the
proper committee.
Father Donovan reported a series of reso-
lutions Affirming those at Decatur, in
which 1t is alleged that the cardinal object
contemplated consists in the principle and
ana observance of total abstinence, and that
one of the features should consist of sick
benefits for the members and mortu&ry bene-
fits for the families Of deceased members; Al.
so resolutions of thanks TO Father Hagan, of
Chicago, for his address of the previous even
ing, to Mayor Allen and the clergy for their
addresses op the same occasion, and to the
Glee Club; also to the Rev. Fathers for their
religious services at the church, and the
choir for its music; also to Hon. William
Reddick for the liberal spirit he had mani
tested to the local (Ostawa) branch of the
Union during period of several years, and
to the press, local and general, for It's inter
cSt uuu inc IlUcEdi advertising PRIOR " hHu-
during the sitting OF the convention. Reso-
lutions in mcmoriam upon the death of
Peter Cahll, late of the ST. James tChicago)
Society, and former treasurer Of the State
Union.
The following officers were then elected
and duly installed for the ensuing year:
Spiritual director, Rev. J. +. Donsvan, Otta-
wa; president, Patrick Burke, Joliet; vice
president, Father NJ. Agan, Streator; seerc-
tary and treasurer James A. Kennedy,
Springfield; board Of directors, VIM. Walsh,
Peoria, John F. O'Brien, Chicago, Michael
Doyle, Springfield, Patrick Murphy, Che
banse, James Ford, Ottawa; delegate to
Convention, to be held in Brooklyn, |
y. Y, in August next, John Lennon, with
II. F. Rowland, Streator, as an alternate.
Streator was selected as the place for mold
ing the next convention, the time being
August Is, 1884.
A communication was read by Father Hold. |
nett, late spiritual director, regretting his in.
ability to be present, owing to a sudden call
to Wisconsin to attend sick friend.
Prior to adjournment Father Donavan ex-
TO- oa1f nd Eatb