The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-06
TOTAL ABSTINENCE UNION.
Annual Convention Of American Catholics
In Washington.
THE FOLLOWERS OF FATHER MATHEW.
first Days Proeeedings-Leading Men Pres
snt-Twenty-On Years OF Good Work.
Temperance Union.

| ION OF America reacbeQ years OF maturity 10
| day when il convened for work This WAS
the opening session OF the twenty-hrst annual
convention. During the years Of its life the
| Union has grown from a comparatively small
organization into one OF the largest and most
| influential OF the country. with branches in
ell sections Of the United States
The followers Of Father Mathew. the great
apostle Of total abstinence. have been gather
ing in town for several days past In such mum
bers that the badge Of the Union and the vsri-
oolored silk badges identifying tho different
local branches of the general. organization
have become familiar sights. The delegates
are numbered by hundreds, well dressed and
prosperous looking men, and a very fair
sprinkling Of ladies as well.
Eight O'Clock this morning WAS the time set
for the formal opening OF the convention and
tho Academy Of Music the place. but the hour
was apparently little early for general con-
venienee At o'clock there was quite a
gathering OF delegates assembled around the
entrance of tho Academy talking over the
prospects OF the convention. II was nearly
an hour lator, however when Bishop Cotter,
d. d.. Of Winona, MINI, the national presi--
dent Of the Union, assembled the stage and
raped with his gAveI upon the table. sign
that ii was about time 10 convene.
The session at the Academy of Music was
in sense. merely preliminary one for the
transaction Of some necessary business.
BISHOP HEASK.
The real opening of the convention was
a roll lgious one the celebration If o solemn
high mass at 81. Patricks church. whore
Right Rev. Bishop Keans. rector of the
Catholic University. preached mn eloquent
and inspiring sermon n the delegates. taking
as his text tho 18th and 18th verses OF the
third chapter of St Mark. God so loved the
world as to send his only begotten Son into
the world that whatsoever belieyeth on him
might not perish but have everlasting life"
Bishop Kesne began by bidding ten thous-
and welcomes to the delegates, men and
women. from all parts Of the land. who are
gathered together, banded in tho good cause
OF eradcating from the world one Of It's
most degrading vices.
Returning then to his text, Bishop Keane
spoke most feeingly of God looking down
upon thi sinful world as "A father, not in
anger but in pity. and with an all-powerful
love that makes All things possible and simple
and easy in this love Of father for all human
ity. Christ knew what was in store for him
when he started 30 save the world from Stu
ners. but this boundless love within him made
Gethsemano and the last agony easy 70 en-
dure. Animated by tho triple love, love for
the father. love Tor the Saviour and love for
humanity ST. Paul waxed strong and &c
comphshed 3 good work and animated by
this same triple love, all ia possible 10 all. There
has risen up IN the land An evil that brings
the blush of shame even upon the face of the
mother church itself, and there has
also :isen up. ., powerful army who
ara asking what they can do 10 down the
demon OF Sin and misery and wretchedness.
1t is noble thing this fighting vahantly for
the love Of humanity with this one sin that is
the parent Of thousands and tens OF thous-
ands Of other sins. Lovo is not true love that
knows not how 10 be indignant not the in-
dignation born of anger or of hatred but
Oorn Of love Of God.
EXTIRrArR THE DRINK CURSE.
The Bishop called upon bis hearers pastors
and people, shepherd and flock, to rtse up and
extirpate from the face Of the eHrth the awful
drink curse that bows millions Of heads in
shame and misery. The spirit that leads ono
TO ask. Am ! my brothers keeperi" ho was
glad 10 thank God. was absent from the
hearts of his hearers. They We're gathered
together in the National capital "a Catholics
and Americans that all men might see they were
not afraid 10 fight the good fight. America, he
said ls running tremendous risk from the
power of immense wealth and tho power Of
whisky. The liquor vote controls our elec-
Sions aud the liquor tax supports our country
Let us pray then that the spirit that animated
the men OF Lexington and Of Bunker Hill and
that animated Washington 70 buckle on his
sword and give fight 10 the enemies Of his
country may now animate the people 10 rise
up and give battle 10 the curse OF drink, the
common enemy of mankind.
The Bishop urged upon his auditors TO keep
true TO their aims. He begged their efforts
in the interest Of better Sunday observance
and TO compel the powers that are TO carry
into effect the laws that are already on the
statute books and clos1 the saloons on the
Sabbath. He wished that Catholics would
have nothing to do with the liquor traffic.
That was the sort OF prohibition hs would
like to see Bishop Keano closed his address
by asking a blessing upon tho noble hearts
who are dedicating themselves 10 the interest
Of suffering humanity.
BACH IN THR ACADEMY or MUSIC.
After the services in the church the dele
gates proceeded AZ once 10 the hall, where
everything was in readiness Tor thor recep-
ton. Among the delegates were number OF
ladies who are members OF the local societies
comprising the Union. The fine appearance
made by the convention was remarked upon
by Cardinal Gibbons and others.
The ADDRESSES or wELcoME.
Bishop Keane delivered the opening prayer
after the meeting was called 10 order. Then
Bishop COtter addressing Cardinal Gibbons,
spoke few words for the delegates. whom he
spoke Of rs faithful. self-sacrificing children.
The Cardinal stepping forward. was received
with loud applause. lie SAID that lie was not
present 20 make a lengthy address, but simply
10 welcome them with q hearty welcome 70
the diocese of Baltimore and the city OF Wash
ington He bade them welcome In the name
OF the clergy and people of Baltimore and
Washington. Some were like himself, tenn
perate mon. while others were. perhaps. bet
ter contemporaries men.
He referred to the mission OF the delegates
as "a holy ono. 10 slay the serpent that inyades
many a domestic garden. lntemperance.
like treason. should 10 made Odous IN the
land for the two sins have much in common.
Many blessings. ne felt sure. would result
from this convention, one of the best signs
of which was the union Of the clergy ard the
laity hand TO hand and shoulder to shoulder
in the good work. lie asked the blessing OF
God upon tho deliberations OF the conven-
ton. and prayed that all might be done IN a
snirit of eernestness and sincerity.
Bishop Keane then stepped forward, and IN
a few pleasant words introduced Commls-
sioner Ross to speak in welcome rs the repre-
sentative of the District government. The
Commissioner delivered splendid oration
and after the reading of President Cotter's
annual report showing the encouraging coD-
dition of work throughout the land the con-
yent0n adjourned until afternoon.
NOTABLE TEMPERANCE WORKERS
The convention is a notable body Of tenn
perance workers. For the past twenty-one
years the Catholic Total Abstinence Union OF
America has been doing an effective work IN
the temperance cause, and to-day having At
tanned its majority. the Union finds itself
stronger in influence and in numbers than ever