The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-13

the orator of the evening, the Rev. j. r.
Leonard of Westfeld, Mass, and visit
ing presbyters. The audience and invi-
ted guests, meantime, had assembled
and Library Hall was packed to it's ut
most capacity. Every seat in auditori-
UNI and gallery was filled, more than one
hundred were standing up, while large
number went away unable to be accom-
mOdated. On the stage were Bishop
Michaud, the orator, the officers of the
Union, including its chaplain, Rev. A.
J. Barron; Thos. e. Cassidy. president
of the Albany Catholic Total Abstinence
Union; the visiting and local clergymen
of the village and the Centre, the Viii
lage President and trustees, the Town
fathers, and prominent citizens.
The speaker was introduced by Father
Barron, in pleasant and earnest speech.
and Father Leonard spoke for nearly one
and one-half hours. He was closely fol-
lowed by the appreGiative audience, the
address was capital production, and
we have never heard better presenta-
ton of this important subject. 1t
abounded in intense periods. Father
Leonard is terribly in earnest in this
work, and in behalf OF the home, the re-
public, the manhood of the people, and
honor of Holy Church, he appealed to
his hearers to ''touch not, taste not"
the accursed liquid. His statistics were
from the census. The rum traffic annu-
ally collects tolls, from it's victims in
these United States, over 5000. 00O 0B.
This vast sum is S70,000,000 more IN ney
than it costs 10000. 900 of free people for
food. 1t is $3.50, 100000 more than the
clothing, including hats and shoes, of
the entire population costs. We pay $40
to the rum power for every 81 contribu-
ted to the teacher. When it comes to re-
ligion, the liquor traffic receives $55 to
every 81 paid to the preachers of the
gospel. Startling figures, say you?
'We wrestle with an organized, aggres-
sive evil, that unless overcome will over
throw the republic" "No man can be
free man if bound in the chains of slav-
cry co strong drink" The gospel of
temperance as urged by Father Leonard
ought to make an impression on his au-
dience. and result in the addition of
more than one-hundred members to the
local union.
Bishop Michaud spoke few moments
in his old, familiar way, that elected
storms of applause. Then followed a
duett, sang by Miss Mamie Sullivan and
Mrs. E. B, Daley, Chas. H. Bennett ac-
companist In response to an encore,
Mrs. DR.. Daley sang one of her charming
alto solos. With music from Gold
smiths orchestra the public exercises
closed.
The banquet was spread in Temper
ance Hall, corner of North and River
streets. The admission was by ticket,
and the young ladies of the church had,
laid an elegant spread-a feast fit for a
:; 10 ban Ia1 bxyk1 I,
Father Matthew society in honor of the
guests present, and the ladies served it
in graceful manner The hall had been
handsomely decorated with flags,
streamers of red, white and blue, Chi
nese lanterns and house plants. Two
tables extended nearly the entire length
of the hall, while a shorter one at the
head was devoted to the Bishop and
clergy, the officers of the association and
prominent guests, of whom number
were expected to speak. r. E. l.. Guilt
nan, the president of the society, occu-
pied the centre, and on his right was
Bishop Michaud. On his left was Father
Barron, chaplain. Over 200 sat down,
and at the conclusion of the postpran-
dials, almost as many more came in, who
had given way for the guests of the or
ganization. The speeches continued I'M
til midnight. The address OF welcome
was made by the president, who, also,
acted as POSTMASTER. The secretary,
D. A. Guiltinan, read letter of regret
from the Venerable Bishop of the do
cese. Bishop Michaud again spoke and
was followed by Michael j. WEIGH, his
torian of the society; II. S. Bingham,
president of the village; Thos. E. Cas-
sidy, president of the Albany Union;
Rev. NJ. L. Severance of Bennington Cen
tire; Messrs. A. P Childs, A. j. Dewey,
DR.. John T. Shurtleff, Harry T, Cush-
man, all of whom gave words of cheer to
the Union, and complimented the ladies'
present for the banquet The Rev. A. J.
Barron closed the speaking, taking oc-
casion to give short, original poem,
that brought down the house." and
made the parting exceedingly pleasant,
the orchestra playing the good night"
as it had the ''welcome" upon our en-
trance to this hall.
The whole affair reflected great credit
upon the Father Matthew T. A. B. soci-
ETY., one of the strongest and influential
associations of our town.
DEATH OF GEORGE W. HALL.