The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-08-01
THE CATHOLIC CRUSADE AGAINST
INTEMPERANCE,

The CAInOLlC OhUoADE AOAI NSI
INTEMPERANCE,
Ns,cdrk Evening Nsirs.
The recent declaration by Bishop Wat
terson, of Columbus, 10 regard to the pol
icy OF enforced temperance in Catholic
societies, which was sustained on appeal
TO the Papal Delegate, Monsignor Satolli,
is not to go unchalenged by The interests
which such an ecclesiastical decree would
adversely affect. II is not probable that
the issue will be seriously presented in the
larger cities; yet the unmistakable tenor
OF the episcopal declaration, supplement-
ed by The ringing words tf Monsgnol Sa-
toll, will tend to put the iqnor men on
The defensive wherever important mater
ial interests are concerned
There is no possibility OF installing the
attitude Of the interests represented by
the Vine and Spirit Gazette in their
challenge to high ecclesiastical authority.
The confidence Of The liquor dealers in the
strength I their position is indicated in
this significant uiterance Of the Gazette /:
Fully two.thirds, II not more, OF the r, :
tail liquor dealers Of the country are Ro-
man Catholics. Some OF these are liberal
contributors to church funds. We APP
preeinte fully the delicate position in
which Archbishop Corrigan and the oil 7
Bishops Of the Catholic Church in this
country are placed by this decree Of the
Papal Delegate. Its enforcement means
war with an important element in the
ranks Of the adherents OF the Church.
Unless N radical change takes place in
public sentiment liquor dealers need not
woiiy over Monsignor Salolli's fulmina
tious against the liquor traffic II will
most likely fall fiat. "
Ii has not been the custom Of the eecle
siasiical powers If the Church of Rome
10 court internal discussions, nor to con.
duct through the public press controver.
sizes on matters affecting doctrine or dis.
cipline. II is likely, Their, fore, that the
vigorous declaration nf independence on
the part OF the New York lIqnor dealers
will be received in sieic by those in
authority in the Church. The battle in
the interest Of higher and purer moral
ity, however, is not likely to be intermi-
ted. Ever since the days OF Father Mslh-
ew there has been aweighiy and power
full propagandism Of temperance in the
body of the Roman clergy. and this nc.
live and energetic source OF reform will
be stirred to redouhled exertions by the
judgment of the Papal Delegate and the
defiant answer made TO it by the liquor
dealers organ. The split of the Paulist
Fathers may easily become energized into
a mighty movement Of regeneration, from
VIII CHI the Church may derive untold ad
vantsges.
The traditions Of The Church in Europe
favor the largest degree of personal liber
ty 10 matters OF this sort. But there is
marked difference between the careless
Indulgence In light wines aud beer If III,
European and the persistent devotion Of
the American to strong alcoholic drinks
For this and kindred reasons the best auo
tfuest friends OF temperance 10 this coun
try have sought To minimize The consump-
tion of the more pow erful intoxicants by
seeking TO introduce in their stead the
lighter stimnlants which furnish distrac
ton TO the nations OF Euro pc. While
these Efforts have been measurably sue.
cessful, the zeal for suppression Of the
traffic has CORE spondingly increased 10
in the various forms of prohibition indi-
cate.
Al all events, there can be no further
doubt 10 regard TO the attitude of the &C.
clesiastica authorities of the Church 10
this country in regard to the moral aspects
OF the liquor controversy. They are dis
tinclively ranged on the side of temper
ance--of total abstinence, indeed. AS the
Churchnaan puts it, in its issue for the
current week 'Frhere can be no doubt
that drunkenness is one Of the crying
evils Of modern civilza,lor. 1t is too
often the canker of a religious profession,
and II is the rust and meth II prosperity.
Whatever prudential reasons the Bishop
may have had in trying to stop the
flow Of money from societies and sodai-
ties into the Golfer Ct the publican, his
foundation motive is one which the whole
religious world will approve. He has
struck valiant blow at the hydra of
drunkenness, aud his example will en-
courage all those who, In any denomina-
tion, are laborng in the cause of Nation
al happiness and virtue.'A