St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-11
CATHOLIC ELoQUENCE

Set Free on the Occasion of Father
Mathews Centenary. e.
The large amphitheater of Cretin hall
was crowded last evening on the oceae
sion of the first centennial anniversary
of the birth of Father Mathew, the
pioneer of the temperance movement,
who was born Oct. 10. 1890. A large
number of the Catholic clergy of the
city were present, including Archbishop
Ireland and Rev. Dr. Heffr0n, of ST..
Paul's cathedral. President j. f. Nc
CURE, of the archdiocese union, intro
duced the orator of the evening, M. II:
Kelley, of Faribauit.-
La speaking of the life and great works
of Father Mathew, Mr.. Kelley dweIt
upon the great movement that had
swept over the whole world in the eouSe
Of temperance: Perieles at the tomb of
SameS had said: tThe universe is the
sepulcher of illustrious men, This ex-
preston could aptlv be applied to the
man whose birth they celebrated that
evening, and which hundreds of audi
eneeS celebrated all over the world.
He traced the career of Father Mathew,
who. though only a:humble,priest, had in
augurated a work which would outlive
the work of princes and conouerors.
He found the people in Ireland in ter
rible condition, not alone from persecu-
ton, but from the curse of drink. He
determined if possible to save them
from themselves, with the result that
in one year over 10000 persons signed
the pledge. east, west, north and
south the movement spread with
rapidity that rivaled the crusade
of Peter M the Hermit. Every
where monstrous meetings were
held, larger than those held by
Daniel O'Connell. The result in each
place was the same, hundreds of thou
sands were drawn to the cause, and
their lives and homes were made hap
pier and better. The movement spread
to lands Father Mathew could not visit,
and crime decreased rapidly. In lS49
Father Mathew visited America and
held meetings all over the country, be-
ing honored by the president and all
great men of the day. In 1856 he died
in ireland, but his work continued, and
bis name would live forever.
Archbishop ireland, who was received
with loud cheers, made a powerful
speech on benaif Of the temperance
movement. He said that it was a great
privilege to be allowed to celebrate the
centennial of that great man, Theobald
Mathew, His memory deserved all the
praise they could bestow upon it, The
work he had started did more good for
the people of Ireland than all the efforts
of orators and chieftains. The work
must be continued to-day, for the liquor
traffic was spread over the whole world
as network of Satan. The lesson of sac
rifice and total abstinence is needed, for
temptation is everywhere. The evils of
intoXication were everywhere. and they
must protect their children and fami-
lies. 1t did not take many persons to.
change a whole society, and he urged
upon his hearers TO become apostles in.
the cause of temperance. He was glad
to say that the Catholics of Minnesota
had fewer saloonkeepers and drnnkards
than the Catholics of any other state
Let them all rise above the temptation
of drink. and they would be happier
and better. -
Rev. DR.. Hebron, of st. Paul's eathe!.
dral, also made all address in the cause.
of temperance. .
A number of songs were rendered
during the evening by quartette, com
posed of j. III. Donabue, +. F. Donahue,
A, j. Nilsson and j. z. Geilan, and Miss
NJ. Eagan, with Miss A. Eagan, played
a number of Irish airs upon the piano,
which ELECTED loud applause.