The National tribune., 1894-08-09
CATHOLICS AS LIoUoR.sELLERs.

liquors has created a profound sensation,
especially in New York, where the
liquor-sellers are most numerous and
powerful. The Vine and Spirit Gazette,
the leading organ of the trade, threw
down the gantlet in the following edi-
torial:
Will il be enforced in the cities of the
country? Fully two-thirds of the retail
liquor dealers of the country are Roman
Catholics. Some of these are liberal con-
tributors 10 Church funds. We appreciate
fully the delicate position in which Arch
bishop Corrigan and the other Bishops of
the CTtholic Church in this country are
placed by the decree of the Papal Delegate.
We voice the sentiments of a large majority
of the liquor dealers of this city and Brook
Ign in saying: We dare Archbishop Cor
rigan TO enforce in letter and in spirit the
decree against the liquor traffic just issued
by Mgr. Satolli, the Papal Delegate. Let
the Archbishop do it, and watch the conse-
quenees"
Archbishop Corrigan replied at once,
and as follows:
In reply to your expressed wish / have
the honor to say that L Loyalty accept the
principles laid down by Mgr. Satolli both in
their spirit and to the letter. More than
this no Catholic can refuse to accept them.
AS to the fear of consequences, have yet,
thank God, to learn what fear is in the dis
charge of my duty. Please remember, how
ever, that acceptance of principles is not to
he Jal . he -
the same on all occasions and under all
circumstances. M. A. CoRRIGAY.
This picked up the gantlet boldly and
squarely, though the Gazette said in an
swer:
The answer does not entirely ar1 squaEely
meet the issue. 1t is not question Of ac-
cepting principle laid down by the head of
the Church, bat Of the courage to carry out
in letter and in spirit the principles just pro-
claimed by the Papal Delegate in the face Of
seemingly adverse public sentiment The
issue is: Will the Archbishop give orders to
refuse admission 10 Roman Catholic societies
to any one engaged either as principal or
agent in the manufacture or sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, and will he instruct the
clergy to deny the rights and privileges of
the Church to liquor dealers who sell on
Sunday?
The decaration of the Archbishop seems
to justify the conclusion that in the dis
charge of his duty he will enforce these prin-
ciples, although he does not say so in his
letter in distinct terms. Future develop
ments will show how far this conclusion is
verified.
As we read Mgr. Satolli's decree it
merely declared the Church's resolute
antagonism to its members engaging in
any way in the liquor business, but left
it to the discretion of each Bishop as to
how the matter should be treated in his
diocese. Bishop Watterson's drastic
methods were .emphaticaIly approved,
but it was not even recommended to
other Bishops to follow his example.
They were left free to map out their own
course.
This was wisdom. The Temperance
reform, like other reforms, has to be
pushed with tactful consideration of sur
rounding conditions The Bishops of
rural dioceses, and especially such coun-
try sees as contain preponderance of
Irish, can make more stringent regula-
tons than would be accepted in great
cities like New York, or those in which
the Germans, Poles, and Bohemians are
the dominant element. As rule, the
Irish in the smaller cities and the coun-
try are strongly inclined toward Temper
ance, and favor restrictive legislation,
both by Church and State. Also, as
rule, the Germans, Poles, and Bohemi-
ans everywhere, and the Irish in New
York, Brooklyn, and Chicago, are OPP
posed to Temperance legislation, civil or
ecclesiastical. So the Papal Delegate
was wise in giving each Bishop much
latitude.
Evidently lively fight is ON, but
there is no doubt of the victory of the
Church. The tendency of the Catholi-
eism in this country has been strongly
toward Temperance for many years, and
this is a long step forward.