Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-16
o.run11o TOTAL AesrINENCE.


Formation of Diocesan Union.
Tho tbree societies of Cathedral Parish,
in this city. have completed the formation
If Diocesan Union for the Diocese OF
savannah. The Union Is at present COM
nosod or ST. John the Baptist T. A. b. So
cietv st. Marv's Ladies' L. A. Society
and st. John the Baptist Cadets. The FOL
lowing were the delegates from each So
ciety:
i. John the Baptist 60 members y
John d. CLARITY, NJ. A. OBrien, James
O'Brien. H. l. McEyOy, James ID. Rey-
uoIds and Z. J. Kennedy.
st. John the Baptist Cadets 10 menu
bers p. J. O'Brien, A. O'Keefe, f. j.
Thompson, W. j. Harry, NJ. Hennessy
and James Deignan.
st. Marv's Ladies' Society IS mem
beTs Very Rev. f. Catierty and \. r.
Thompson.
The usual committees were appointed
at the preliminary meeting held October
eth, and they made reports to the meeting
which perfected the organization on the
18th inst, it having been previously
agreed to date the organization OF the
Union October 10th. Father Matthew's
birthday. After adopting constitution
the following officers were elected Tor tue
ensuing wear: \ +. Thompson, President (;
Jas. ID. REYNOLDS, Vice President; A. n.
O'Keefe, Secretary, and JAS. OBrlen,
Treasurer.
The Committee on Resolutions reported
the following, which was adopted as
platform Of principles for the Union, AFTER
which the Union adjourned until july
next:
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.
oh in ON
vention assembled. through its regularly APP
pointed committee, declares and adopts the
following platform of principles Tor lhelI
guidance IN conducting more earnest ana
effective campaign against the cNll OF lhtem
peraucc in this diocese:
l. We are organized To promote temperance
and oppose drunkenness.
, We are impelled To this work from mo-
tiyes of religion, humanity and patriotism
8. Intemperance Is an enemy to religion, a
Zoe to humanity aud tends To the subVcrsloh
| Of every principle of good government.
T. 1t owes its prevalence to erroneous ideas
regarding the use aud sale Of Intoxicating
beverages, whereby private habits are formed
and public customs established faVOrlng ana
encouraging the evil.
| to the nature and tendency of all alcoholic
drinks, the practice of total abstinence from
motives of religion ana humanity anu y :
| TEN of righteous laws cooperating with
moral influences for the overthrow OF this
enemy to God and man.
q. We rely for success on the sacramcnts OF
| the church. the influence anu example oil
pledged abstainers, and vigorous use OF
| those educating agencies which mold ana
direct public sentiment-the press. the plat
form and the pulpit.
:, we appeal to the press to publish such
| facts and truths as Will direct public atten-
ton to the evil and its causes as necessary fOI
| the well being of society. We recommend
] the holding of public meetings TO discuss tenn
perance principles and the disseminating
| Of temperance literature rs essential auNilla
ries in educating public sentiment favorable
| to temperance. and we bescech the clergy. IN
| the name of our holy religion. and for the
| sake of immortal souls, to present the claims
| of this great cause whenever and wherever
occasion may offer.
| ). As this evil makes war upon all classes
in society, we favor the organizing OF all ele-
| ments against IL, male and female, OLD ano
young. Ladies and cadet societies VIII prove
everywhere effective agencies in advancing
the cause.
Q. The claims of the Catholic faith are sucl
| that all good Catholics should feel their rell-
| gion demanded they should lead in this tempe
| rance movement. The world expects IT. hu-
manty urges it, a burdencd country pleads
| for it. Friends, kindred, home and loved
ones. God and Heaven. all beckOn us onward
| TO the struggle!
10. If Christians who say they favor tenn
| perance would recognize the force OF thai
| assertion and act consistently with II, Christ
ianity would advance at one stride more thar
| 10 has i'm a thousand years! Christian who
| really fayors temperance Will do whatever
! the eNigencies OF religion, humanity Orsociety
requires. eCeH to the egteRt 0f gtCtng up ms %
| her social glass. Moreover, il is a self-eviden
| truth. that 81 long as Christians drink just Sc
| long will society be cursed with drunkards
| We believe the responsibility, therefore, OF !
continuation of this evil rests upon Christians
and in the name of jesus, who died that al
might live we plead with Catholics to enlist
in this work of glorious reform.