St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-18
The HEAVENS OPENED
Cold Water EXponents Swoop
Down Upon the City and
Take 1t by Storm.
Providentially the Water
Supply Is Replenished by
Copious Showers.
Great Work Accomplished by
the Catholic Abstinence
Society.
The Archbishop Upon Work
Of Women in the Tenn
pePance Cause.


instituted, and yesterday the twentieth
annual convention was openedin Cretin
hall. The session was called to order
by the president, }. +. McGuire. but
after the usual opening exercises an adj
journment was had until afternoon.
There vera hundred delegates in at
tendance, representing the forty SOcie-
ties in the archdiocese of st. Paul.
At 10 O'Clock the delegates attended a
solemn high mass at the cathedral.
Bishop Cotter, of Winona, delivered the
sermon. 1t was ar eloquent address
with the fundamental principles of the
union as theme. He paid a glowing
tribute to the long life service of Arch
bishop Ireland in the cause of tenn
perance, and also reviewed to some ex-
tent the salutary influence welded in
the Catholic world by the precepts
and example OF Father Mathew.
who sowed the seed of total
abstinence long years ago, and who IS
the devOutedly respected prototype of a
large number of temperance bodies.
Bishop COtter ably depicted the bless
ings that follow an abstemious life, and
he declared that each member of the
union should make it his special bus
mess to see tnat the benefits are spread
and extended III their immediate circles
of acquaintances. The drink habit is
an evil of itself. but there are multi
fariouS attendant evils, the direct result
of intemperance. While there are MANY
honest and conscientious men engaged
in the liquor business, the number OF
unscrupulous men following the voca-
ton is so much greater that a disgrace
is cast over the whole business.
The sermon was attentively listened
to, and after the services the delegates
retired for dinner.
Presidents Address.
At the afternoon session of the union,
President Mcclure delivered felicitouS
annual address. Among other good
things he said:
For fifth of a century the Catholic clergy
and lalty of Minnesota have been engaged
in the laudable and humane effort OF educa-
ting our people to understand the beneficial
results of a total abstineut life.
To direct the footsteps of the young, to
give good example to our felloWmen. to as
sist those of our kind to lead a temperate
life are the objects of our union. How to OBJ
tain these objects, how o increase our mem
bershlp and populariZe our movement are
come OF the reasons why we meet in annual
conventions.
We believe that the future success of our
cause is assured if the young gi:ls and boys
are given the proper advice and example
BY advice and example we mean that par
ents should instruct their children as to the
dlreful effects of all Incorporate, and by
their own life, set an example of total absti-
nence from intoxicating liquor. We believe
that father does not live who would wish
to see his son become a drunkard.
Can an intemperate father expect to
raise temperate son? Possibly, yes. More
than likely no. The exception only proves
the rule to be well founded. | call upon our
clergy ana lay members 10 give more atten-
ton to our cadet societies. The honor of our
union is the number of our members who
have always been total abstainers.
We are not unmindful of the fact that
many good members were formerly not of
our wav of thinking. They are all the better
fitted TO judge of the dishonor Of an intem-
perate life. Ask any intelligent man outside
of our societies and religion what has been
the cause OF making the name Catholic and
Irlshmen honored and respected in Mime
sofa, and the reply will come, as / have fire.
quently heard it from my business associates
in the mercantile world, Archbishop Ire
land and total abstinence"
To increase our membership is very i'm
portant matter. The National union very
wisely set aside a fund, to be known as an
'OrganiZers' Fund.- Organizers have been
appointed for different localities, and. judg-
ing from the number of new societies organ
lied in our own union, this featuro of the
National union is Il success. To populariZe
our movement is the most important part of
our mission. Once made popular, many who
now merely commend our work would join
with us. Our meetings should be frequent
and care should be taken to make them en-
tertaining and instructive. The uprightness
of our everyday lives will do much to make
our cause respected by all men.
We are glad to be able to acknowledge in a
public manner that the press has done a
wonderful amount of good for our move
ment. No one doubts the power of the press.
1t moulds public opinion and applauds the
good wherever found. The press is almost 10
unit made up of intelligent, honorable and
foreSighted men, and we hope to continue to
merit favorable mention.
During the past year some new societies
have been organized. and they are repre-
sented here to-day. We greet them as broth
ers, and urge them to attend our fortieth as
we'll as our twentieth convention. The dio-
cese of Duluth has lately organized a subor-
dinate union. which promises new life in
that portion of the state. The nine societies
in that union will soon be increased, and,
under the direct care of Bishop McGolrick
and his venerable vicar general, we have no
fears of the success of the union of Duluth
In the southern part OF the state new union
is being formed which will comprise the
diocese of Winona. | believe this move will
be beneficial to all our societies. With
Jealous and practical total abstinent bishop
at the head OF the movement, with less terri
ory for the general officers to cover with the
increased pride in having thei. own diocesan
officers, l am convinced that the total absti-
nence cause in Minnesota has brighter pros
poets now than ever before. The older ana
more important diocese of St Paul, with Il
leSsened territory. can be better cared for
than formerly That the former reputation
and standing of our cause will be kept up l
have no doubts.
What of the future? We are assembled to-
gether 10 increase our power for good. How
best to accomplish good will be left with YOU
to determine. 1t is our duty to suggest, yours
to put in force. You will be informed by
the secretary at the proper time of the nu-
mer1cal and financial standing of our union.
You will be told that there are debts hanging
over us which should be met AS those debts
are not yours or mine personally. but belong
to us all, all should take part i'll the wiping
out of the same. would suggest that before
the adjournment of this convention every
society be asked to give what it can afford
and let us begin the twenty-frst year with
new record
During the past year we have been ham
pered for want of funds. Your board of gov
ernment has reduced the secretary's salary
from $3.50 to $50. We have not issued
our annual pamphlet The last convention
saw fit to order a large number of extra
copies of our official paper without inquiring
as to the expense of such work. i would
recommend that provision be made for the
payment of the expenses of but one delegate
for the coming national convention.
The reports of the presidents of the
various county organizations indicated
that during the last twelve months
there had been healthy increase in
the aggregate membership. The
growth, however, has been principally
in the country, while the cities have not
made so favorable showing. Through
out the whole state, though, the men,
bership is twice as large as it was two
years ago. This is owing to the fact
that two large organizations have been
added one in Winona and one in Du-
luth.
Committees.
Committees were appointed on Gre
dentials, on address to the ordinary, on
address to the people, on address to the
clergy, on address to young men, on adj
dress to young women, on constitu-
tional amendments, OH award of medal,
and an auditing committee, as follows:
Credentials-B. D: Kilroy, chairman, and
one representative from each society
Address to the Ordinary-Rey. James
O'Reilly, and all the spiritual directors liz the
union.
AddreSS tO tho Pnopla-Pav r Tovutx~