River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-08-21
Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
AmArica.


The fourteenth annual convention Of the
Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America
began at Central Music hall Chicago, on the
9th, at which Rev Father James Cleary of
Wisconsin, president of the union, called the
delegates to order and led in prayer.
President Cleary presented his annual report
After concentrating the union on its
prosperous condition, Father Cleary recon-
mended that large campaign fand he col
leeted for tie purpose Of spreading temperance
literature aud Keeping interest alive b. send
ing lecturers through the country. The 7ecre
tary's report showed there are twenty .IohI
subordinate and twenty-six detached unions,
with 6l2 societies IN all, and total member
ship of 80 40 gain ~ :, AS during the year
Minnesota has 50 Societies with :, fUOmeHbers
letter was read from Cardinal McCloskey
congratulating the order On us progress
Bishop Feehan and Archpl5hop Elder
made brief addresses, IN the cause
Bishop Ireland was introduced and was re-
ceved with tumultuous applause by vast
audience He laid down the general principle
that legislation on the subject should go just as
far as the salvation of the people demanded
The liquor traffic was doing the cause of tenn
perance much good by its very reckiessness
and lawlessness. The Catholic people should
be freed from the denomination Of the saloon
element Teach them how to vote. Rev Arch
bishop Elder Of Cincinnati, was introduced lie
felt flied with courage and joy to know that
they were all doing so much The nation de-
pended upon the individuals of the country.
Laws would not be enforced unless the pubic
sentiment of the people stood behind the law,
and backed up those who enforce the law.
The second day the treasurer pre-
scented his financial report, which showed
the total receipts to been 3 ,5'3f9
and the disbursements sl,26033, leaving
q balance in the treasury OF s3l3. IL
After some discussion, 1t was resolved that the
convention should meet next year in New
Haven, Conn, on the first Wednesday IN
August Bishops Spalding and ireland en-
tered the hall As the reverend prelates passed
to the platform, the convention rose en- masse
and received them standing. When the amend-
ments TO the constitution were disposed OF, the
rules were suspended by unanimous consent
in order that Bishops Ireland
and SHADING might address the
convention which they did very
elegantly A resolution, in which prohibltory
legislation was Endorsed, was offered by Father
Mccoy. A prolonged debate followed, and
when voted upon, the resolution was lost
The sentiment of the convention rs that moral
suasion is the only way in which to advance
the cause of temperance The election OF
officers was then proceeded with Father
James T. Cieary OF Wisconsin, was elected
president Rev James T. Meatle OF brooklyn,
a. Y, vice president; Rev J. b. Bowles, of
Ohio, treasurer; Philip A. Nolan was reelected
secretary,
The report of tho committee on the resolu-
tons characterizes those who cause crime and
misery Dy SoflLiS HitpAtt]ihb h4uvA' az NAA'iA'
nails; holds that moral suaslon alone cannot
prevail against intemperance; that the law
must be invoked, and that it Is dire calamity
to trust the management of public affairs to
those who hold office at the good will of liquor
dealers II continues, while we recognize
moral suasion the basis of temperance work,
we nevertheless declare confidence in legal
restriction of the liquor traffic as means OF
the advancement of that work. Such restric
ton may go to whatever extent seems best to
us in our capacity of Catholic temperance clti-
zens. We emphasize the fact, however, that
we cannot countenance or III any way encour-
age the liquor interest Much less vote for 1t