Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-08-21

A BLOW AT LIQUOR.
A FARREAcHING DECISION FROM MGR.
SATOlLl.

The Catholic Church at Last Placed In Di-
rect Opposition to tho Liquor Traffic.
Saloon Keepers Excluded From Catholic
Societies.
! Especial Correspondence From the N. P. b.
New YoRK.-Mgr. Satolli, the apos-
tolic delegate. has rendered decision of
great importance not only to Catholics,
but to all temperance people, and has set
the church in strong opposition to the
liquor traffic.
This ruling, which prominent priest
said last night was a second declaration
of independence, was issued in answer to
an appeal from an order of Bishop j. A.
Watterson of Columbus, O., the cham
pion of temperance in the church. Dur
ing last Lenten season Bishop Waiter
son addressed letter to the clergy of
his diocese to be read to their several
congregations. In this pastoral commu-
nication he said:
81 hereby withdraw my appreciation
from any and every Catholic society or
branch or division thereof in this do
cese that has liquor dealer or saloon
keeper at its head or anywhere among
its officers, and 1 suspend every such So
ciety itself from the rank and privileges
as Catholic society until it ceases to be
so officered. | again publish the condi-
ton without which for some years I
have declined to approve Of new socie-
ties or new branches of old organiza-
tions in this diocese-namely, that no
one who is engaged either as principal
or agent in the manufacture or sale of
Intoxicating iqurs can be admitted to
membership"
Tomany of the people in the diocese of
Columbus this attitude of Bishop Wat
terson seemed arrogant and unjust, and
one of the societies there laid the matter
formally before Mgr. Satolli. After a
time the apostolic delegate returned an
answer upholding the position of the
bishop. But still the society was not
satisfied, and an appeal was taken. To
this the apostolic delegate has just re-
sponded. 1t reafirms his first judg-
ment sustaining the position of Bishop
Watterson and says:
"Bishops have the right and duty to
guard faith and morals within the linn
its of their dioceses. They are the di-
vinely appointed judges in such matters,
and hence no mere society or individual
layman has the right to set such decision
at defiance. The mere fact that such de-
cision may be the cause of temporal loss
does not justify opposition, as the tenn
poral must give way to the spiritual
good, and private good must give way
to public good.
"The liquor traffic, and especially as
conducted here in the United States, is
the source of much evil; hence the bish-
op was acting within his rights in seek
ing to restrict it.
Therefore the delegate apostolic sus-
tains Bishop Watterson's action and ap-
proves of his circular letter and regula-
ton concerning saloons and the expul-
sion of saloon keepers from membership
in Catholic societies"
This letter was read last week to the
convention of Ohio clergy at Columbus,
provided over by Archbishop Elder, but
its contents were not made public at the
time.
1t was said yesterday by various clergy
that the decision would be of direct eff
feet only in Bishop Watterson's diocese,
but the moral effect would be felt all
over the country, and the matter will
probably be taken up everywhere. In
New York there are not many church
societies like the numerous semireligious
organizations in the west. Very few sa-
loon keepers belong to the societies in
this city, their allegiance being given
principally to political bodies. Liquor
dealers are not wanted as members OF
the Catholic club. 1t was said at one of
the leading clubs last night that even if
saloon keeper were worth millions of
dollars he could not pass the door. The
Paulist Fathers, who have always been
strong temperance advocates, were de-
lighted with the news of Satolli's deci-
sion and said it would have wonderful
effect.
Said a prominent Catholic to the
writer in discussing this matter: "You
will find that the Catholic church will
yet lead in the movement for the entire
prohibition of the liquor traffic. The
Protestant church has passed enough
resolutions to land every member in the
Prohibition party and utterly destroy
the saloons, but / notice that they con-
tinue to vote with and for license politi-
cal parties. Saloon keepers do not fear
resolutions, but a decision like this from
the Catholic church means war, and the
DEGREES of our church are always carried
out"
But what is the matter with our pol
itics which makes it such byword,
such an excuse for hideous vices exist
ence? Stir politics" to the bottom,
and you will find it. 1t is that interest,
that cruel and rapacious interest, which
is eating up the heart and core of this
manful nation. 1t is the interest which,
accommodating at compound ratio, binds