The Irish standard., 1889-06-08
and meet the mighty force at the ballot
box. We should be content only when
tho avQtam ia daStrnvod >;

the system is destroyed.''
Pursuant to action taken in the morn.
ing the convention re-assembied at La.
bor Temple at 2 y. m, when the body
settled down to work. State Secretary
E.. A. O'Brien, of Saltwater. read let
ters from Governor Merriam and other
prominent citizens regretting their in
ability to he present.
The report OF the committe on Gre
dentials was then read which went over
to Thursday morning for correction and
adoption.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
First Vice President J. F. Mcclure
was here called to the chair and Pres,-
dent O'Brien read his annual report be.
fore the assembled delegates, as follows:
Rev. Fathers, Officers and Members
of the C. T.. A. u:
With the opening OF th1sconvention,
our Union enters upon the nineteenth
year of it's organized existence. For
eighteen years our Catholic total abstln-
ence societies have been sowing the
seeds of Temperance in every part of our
beautiful North Star state. Annually
the statistics or the harvest have been
land before you in delegate conventions;
year by year you have beheld the fruits
of your labors and accepted them as
the just recompense Of reward. You
have seen happy homes spring up from
the depth of poverty; you have seen the
fires OF family affections rekindled
around the once desolate hearthstOnes:
you have seen the form of weak
humanity rise out Of its own shadow
and adorn itself with the habiliments
Of ennobIed manhood; you have seen
the dark veil of sorrow and sadness
lifted from the faces of mothers, wives
and children; and you have seen. and
do sec to-day, all over the state Of Min
nesota, the members Of this Catholic
total abstinence union living in the full
enjoyment OF material, mental and
moral prosperity. assert here to-day
without fear of successful contradiction.
there is not q poor man in the ranks of
the active membership OF the societies
Of this union. True, in The light of the
worlds estimate of wealth, we are all
poor; but it is a poverty that carries
with it Independence of mind and
character. Sobriety begets industry,
and these two combined become the
foundation upon which fortune and IN
never fail to build. Yet
with all the evidences before us, the re-
suits of this total abstinence work are
beyond our powers Of calculation, and
we have no means by which to estimate
them. We see only that which is appar
ent The impressions which the influ-
ences Of good example have hidden in
other hearts, the extent of temperance
sentiment created in the public mind.
the aid that has been given to the pro-
gress of religion, virtue and true moral
itv-these we may not know ut with
an abiding faith in the righteousness
of our cause, we may press on, fighting
the good fight with such weapons as we
possess, not waiting fol the rewards.
but expecting them, and that when
they come, they will be permanent and
everlasting. 70 all organizations hav-
ing for their object the advancement
Of the cause of total abstinence or the
sp1ead Of temperance principals, ,wheth'
or working by the same methods as this
union, or, with equal sincerity. by
other methods, we may with propriety
extend the hand Of peternal greeting,
and bic them Godspeed. In friendly
rivalry we will struggle to outdo them,
trusting that through the efforts Of all
in Gods own good time,
this deepest stain, intemperance, may
be banished from our land.
THE WORK OF THE PAST YEAR
has been most encouraging, and the
statistical reports that will be laid be-
;cre you, Will show gratifying increase
n the membership of the Union. But
t is not to the increase in numbers that
We point as the best part of our sue
cess. In all the societies there is mani
'est desire for more thorough organi-
,ation, greater unity Of action, and the
perfection of a system of temperance
,ffort that shall be completely harmon
Gus in all its parts. The societies that
ve have on our rolls are living realities,
Ictive, full Of enthusiasm, and appar-
'ntly determined to build up the Union
N permanent and enduring founda-
ions. The recruits from the Cadet So
ietles are advancing to the ranks of
he veterans, and the Union is begin
ling to march forward on the impetus
;iven it by an intelligent and vigorous
'oung manhood. New material and
lew life is daily being added to our
ocal organizations, and the outlook for
he future is very hopeful indeed,
THE LADIES SOCIETIES.
Something over a year ago, by tn ad.
ice and consent Of our most Rev.
archbishop, issued an appeal to our
;atholic women to organize themselves
ntO societies and take part in the |