The Dickinson press., 1884-08-23
Catholic Total Abstinence Union Of
America.

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 congratu1ating the union on its
prosperous condition, Father Cleary recon-
lected for the purpose of spreading temperance
literature and keeping interest alive by send
ing lecturers through the country. The secre-
tary's report howed there are twenty-four
subordinate and twenty-six detached unions,
With 81 ets ss societies in all, and a total 1ne ae
Minnesota has So Societies with {, 700members.
A letter was read from Cardinal McCloskey
congratulating the order on it's progress.
Bishop Feehan and Archbishop Elder
made brief addresses, in the cause.
Bishop ireland was introduced and was re-
ceived with tumultuous applause by a vast
audience. He laid Town tho 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
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. He
lel ul1eu WIFI courage dlu JOY 10 KNOW Uuht
they were all doing so much. The nation de-
pended upon the individuals of the country.
avs would not be enforced unless tho public
sentiment Of the people stood behind the law,
and backed up those who enforce the law.
.o The sec SECOND day the treasurer pre-,
and the insA' dis isuesp1s 81 o ,seo.a Be, 'i leaving as
a balance in the treasury of $3l3.44.
After som discussion, 1t was resolved that the
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 Ell masse
and received them standing. When the amend
ments to the constitution were disposed OF, the
and 0S spalding 'n"' might H''n0p address if'lt the
convention which they, did very
elegantly. A resolution. in which prohibitory
Legislation was Endorsed, was offered by Father
Mccoy. A prolonged debate followed, and
when voted upon, the resolution was lost
TIL sentiment of the convention is that moral
suasion is the only way in which to advance
the cause of temperance, The election of
officers was then proceeded with. Father
president, Rev. James F.. Meatie of brooklyn,
N. Y, vice president; Rev. J. b. Bowles, Of
Ohio, treasurer; Philip A. Nolan was re elected
secretary.
The report of tho committee on the resolu.
tons characterizos those who causc crime and
misery by selling intoxicating liquors as crimi-
nails; holds that moral suasion alone cannot
! prevail against intemperauce; 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 o~fliquor
dealers. 1t continues, ''While we recognize
moral suasion as the basis of temperance work,
we nevertheless declare our confidence in legal
restriction of the liquor traffic as a means of
the advancement Of that work. Such %restric-
ton may go to whatever extent seems bost to
us in our capacity of Catholic temperance citi-
IONS. We emphasize the fact, however, that
we cannot countenance or in any way encour.
| age the liquor interest. Much less vote for it. /"