The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-09
CONVERT THE NATION
That Is the Only Way to Lift
Up Catholics Above
Liquor Evils.
PATRIOTISM AND BUSINESS
Enough Support to the
Movement.

NEW YORK, n. Y, Aug. S.-The
delegates to the twenty-ffth convention of
the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
America begun the second days exercises
this morning with a solemn requiem mass
for the repose of the souls of deceased
members. The mass was celebrated in
the church of the Paulist Fathers. The
church was filled with worshippers, all
wearing the blue and silver badges of the
union The members all seem to be
heartily impressed with the seriousness
and importance of their mission, and the
religious services are fully as well at
tended as the regular meetings of the con-
vention.
After the mass a business session was
held in Colum bus Hall, just back of the
church. The session was opened at 10:45
o'clock with prayer by Father Doyle,
general secretary. First Vice president
]. Washington Logue presided. Secretary
Doyle read the following telegram from
Rev. Henry Elliott Mott, president of the
Buffalo league: 1.-THE Buffalo league for
public good prays Gods blessing on your
deliberations and urges that you encourage
voters to protect the Lords day from par
tisan politicians"
The report of the treasurer was then
read. 1t showed that $2542 80 had been re-
ceived during the year, and that there was
a cash balance on hand at present of
1896 a. The report was received with ap-
plause. Rev. Father Zurcher of Buffalo
created great sensation in presenting the
report of his union.
1--WE have come to the conclusion in
Buffalo" said he, ''that the only way to
lift up the Catholic people to total
abstinence is to convert the entire Nation,
and let them carry up the Catholic people
with them. We cannot convert Catholics
individually. We have also come to the
conclusion that we receive very little help
from our Catholic newspapers"
Here Father Zurcher produced news
paper and read an advertisement: Look"
he said, there is an advertisement for
pure rye whisky, and in the next column
there is picture of Cardinal Gibbons"
There was great laughter at this remark.
Father Zurcher produced another Catho-
lie newspaper and looked over the ad-
vertisements. Here is another advertise
ment," said he, excitedly, "for pure rye
whisky, and right over it is the picture of
the Most Rev. Archbishop Ireland, and
this is Catholic newspaper"
The hall was in a roar of laughter as
Father Zurcher was speaking. He paced
up and down the platform excitedly and
did not seem to mind the sensation he was
creating. Continuing, he said that the
Catholic church in America loses $4,000
members annually sacrificed to drink,
while the total abstinence membership was
only $1,000.
1--WE are told to go slow" he said in con-
clusion, ''yes, go slow until we die. 1 want
to extend the right hand of fellowship to
Theodore Roosevelt. He is man you
and ought to be proud of. You do not
know how it is. Here you are treated with
respect. but it is not so in other cities. And
if Mr.. Roosevelt asks you to help him in
enforcing the Sunday closing law do so in
the name of God and temperance"
The principal business done to-day was
the presentation of reports from various
committees. The committe on credentials
reported that the present convention is
the largest ever held in the history of the
union. The election of officers will prob
ably take place tomorrow, when President
Cleary will it is said, be renominated for
the presidency of the National Union.
The committee on resolutions will not re-
port till tomorrow.
The following notice has been received
by The United Press from Rev. Father
Alexander P. Doyle, general secretary OF
the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
America, with the request that it be
published:
Father Doyle authoritatively denies the
rumors about Archbishop Ireland and
Bishop Keane not being invited to the
convention. He invited both Archbishop
Ireland and Bishop Keane to the conven-
ton at Archbishop Ireland's suggestion
two weeks ago"