The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-08-31
THOUGHYS FROM m. CLEARYY.
4 Echoes From the Great Temperance
Convention Recently Held In
New York.
sosRlErY TIE GENERAL THEME.
Tho Convention No Body Uphold tho
Action OF the New York
Commits ionsrs.


said Father J. M. Cleary to newspaper
reporter on Saturday afternoon, referring
to the recent convention in New York of
the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
America. Father Cleary returned home
Saturday morning full of enthusiasm anu
inspiration, and the above simply shows
how good he is feeling about this gather
ing. which has attracted attention all
over this country as being one OF the
most remarkable temperance gatherings
ever held in this country. Father Cleary
was reelected president Of the union and
is naturally very enthusiastic over the
work
Going into details, Father Cleary said:
1.-THE union is a union Of all the Cath
Ollie temperance societies and on account
of. being held in New York city, where
there has been so much temperance agi-
tation, and because Of an attempt OF pol
iticians to make capital out Of it, it at
tracted unusual attention. Then again
1t was the silver Jubilee, and the high
dignitaries of the Catholic church were
present, thus giving the gathering the
approval OF the church. The delegates
numbered about 1900, and there were
quite number present from this state,
including F. L. McGhee, the colored law
yer, of St. Paul; John O'Brien, of Still
water, and Mr. Barth, of WATERFOWL"
"In the postoffice, on the board of trade
and in the hotel corridors the convention
was the great topic of conversation, for
there has been nothing in New York Cor
years that has caused so much talk This
was because Of the forces at work to get
control of the meetings The personnel
of the convention was strong, and it was
quite evident that the delegates were
men who had no motive except that of
uplifting people. There was notable
absence of the crank and fanatic, as well
as the reformed drunkard. It was a rep
resentative gathering of people who did
not need total abstinence for themselves
at ALL. but who were seeking to mould
public sentiment against the abuses of
the saloon and social drinking. This
was something that was commented on
by all. The convention was tremend-
GUS power, for heretofore the man who
would open his mouth in New York
against the saloon was looked upon al
most as a mailman. Now there has been
a wonderful change, and the temperance
sentiment in New York city is stronger
than it has ever been.'" $50, -: i,
IA speaking 81 some of the meetings,
Father Cleary said that it was an inspir-
ing sight to see the crowds gathering at
st. Patrick's cathedral the Wednesday
morning Of the convention. 1t was so
hot that one almost felt like dropping on
the sidewalk, and yet about 5000. people
crowded into the church. The d1gn1-
taries of the church were represented
there as we'll as all classe and the rep
resentative of the pope otficiated. The
Carnegie Hall meeting was one OF the
greatest incidents of the convention,
however, according to Father Cleary.
"This meeting is usually not part OF
the convention" said Father Cleary, "but
is rather sort of entertainment pre-
nared by the local associations for the
entertainment of the delegates. Of
course, those present, numbering about
5000, were not all delegates, and 1t was
such a great convention that the politi-
clans attempted to take advantage of it.
II is rathe, hard to say that Tammany
was behind the movement, although it
looked very much that way. Theodore
Roosevelt. of the board of police COM
missioners, had been invited to speak,
and it was expected that Bourke Cochran
would appear, but he was detained else
where. and Senator O'Sullivan took his
place. Usually Senator O'Sullivan Is
welcome speaker, but he made bad
break on this occasion as he pleaded for
the Sunday saloon He must have been
speaking for the press notices he would
get. but the crowd would not stand 1t.
When he commenced to argue in favor OF
the Sunday saloons the crowd Kissed ana
hooted him and would have driven him
from the stage had not the officers inter
tered in behalf, of fairness. Mr.. Roose-
welt himself got up and asked that more
courtesy be shown the speaker, as he was
there on invitation. Mr.. Roosevelt spoke
tight after Senator O'Sullivan and scored
the latter unmegcifully. While the SEN
ator was Kissed and hooted, Mr.. Roose-
welt was greeted with tremendous
cheers"
Getting down to the local situation In
New York, Father Cleary said that the
convention in It's resolutions adopted, In
dorsed the action of the police commits
Eioners in closing the saloons on Sunday
TIE position of Mr.. Roosevelt, he said
must be sustained by Catholics, for It is
fine only consistent position for them
Father Cleary was not in New YORK on
SundaE to see the working of the excise
! law. but he posted himself well. He says
that the newspapers are divided. Inc
tribune, Post, Mail and Express, etc.
supporting Mayor Strong and Mr.. Roose-
Welt while the World is the leading oppo-
s;tion. and the Herald is pretty much on
the fence.
s.The best sentiment Of New York is evil
IDENTIFY with Mayor Strongyand Mr.. Roose-
velt. /" he said. Strong himself is strong.
or now in his convictions than he ever
was. The action Of our convention pleased
4 him immensely, for he had previously nae gag
his doubts about the effect .oi SUNDAY
closing. So far as my personal 1udgmen,
goes. New York CITY will never go DacK ], g
the Sunday saloon, but Of course q Wo l,ll
4 naturally side with the Temperance PEG.