The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-10

the least foresight of the remarkable con-
fict IA which 10 would find the autnOri-
ties and the saloons. But II could not
have been more happily timed ~ care
fully arranged for Just such a situation.
No single event. in tact, since the agita-
ton began has been OF equal moral anl
political significance, With the extra0r-
dinary demonstration Of Catholic senti-
ment witnessed yesterday against the
arrogant saloon pow lr. Eniorzed by the
presence and the mpafhy OF the high
est dieuitarics of the church in this
country. and ~ the special lsgate OF the
Pope himself the religious celebrations Of
the day were highly important. but had
10 yield in popular effect 20 the great
meeting held last night ia Carnegie
Hall. The audience gathered there was
fairly representative. We are told OF
what may boz called the mi1dle-class
Catholics Of this city. Many active poii-
ticians were present, CT the Kind that
attend primaries and manage conven-
tions. Yet the feeling Of tle meeting
was 80 evidently AMI Overwhelmingly in
favor OF enforcing the excise law. espe-
ciamy of closing the saloons on sunday
that the lone Tammany orator. pu- up TO
test the sentiment Of Catholics on the
great Tammanv platform Of not enforcing
the law. retired in complete discomfit-
ure.
That the Catholic Church could have
been expected 10 take any other position
only shows how inconceivably stupid poll
ticians can De wher they set about 10.
Her official and authoritative attitude to-
wards the liquor traihc ana the Sunday
question has long been known. 10 was
eloquently set forth IN Archbishop Ryan
sermon yesterday. The Church does not
I.fr.Ifrl.r
trine of total abstinence. 1t does not
rashlv declare liquor-selling OF an kinds
and under all circumstances. 20 be- a sin.
But IL has pronounced and viii con-
tinue TO pronounce ln favor OF temper
ance. and has sfigmatized sal0on-keeping
as an "uubecoming business for a Cath
Ole. The Archbishop freely acknowledged
that stigma had teen brought on the
Catholic name by tire fact OF 80 many
Catholics being intcmpcrato. and so many
nominal Catholics being salo0n-keepers.
but that was only an added reason, De
maintained. for making the true teaching
and attitude OF the Church known, ana
encouraging the Total Abstinence Union
and every other moral or legal influence
which would tend 10 diminish or cure the
evils Of drunkenness. 3iost OutspOken
was tho Rev. Father C1eary. president OF
the Union. Amidst loud applause. he
denounced "tho liquor power intrenched
behind fertilization OF wealth. gathered
from the earnings Of the unfortunate"
now grown defiant Of public opinion"
"the uncompromising enemy Of religion
and country" "desecrating the sanctty
Of our Sunday. and making a mockery OF
universal suffrage"
OF course. the peculiar value or this
great Catholic demonstration 40 the pres
ont iuncture nes in he fact that it rec
veals the existence oi am immense ponr-
cal power ON the side of the Observance
of law anl a quiet Sunday. The Cath0-
lic vote has undoubtedly been largely q
Tammany vote. Therefore. some hasty
political rcasoucrs have argued. Tam
many being for an excise law 90 Doe en-
forced or not. according as tho authori-
ties were paid or not and especially for
n lawlcss Sunday. the Cath0ic Cnurcn
win Doe for these thin gs too. 80 great
er mistake could Dee maie.-Ncw York
Evening Post.