The San Francisco call., 1896-08-10
MONSTER MEETING
FOR TEMPERANCE.
The League of the Cross
Fills the Mechanics
Pavilion.
MKINLEY'S VICTORY.
He Wins the Gold Medal for
the Best Essay of
the Year.
ADDRESS BY TIE ARCHBISHOP.
HIS Grace Speaks to an Immense
Audience and Is Given an
Ovation.
ADDRESS BY THE ARCHBISHOP.

An immense crowd of people gathered
yesterday afternoon in the Mechanics
Pavilion on the occasion of a grand rally
and essay contest by the League of the
Cross.
Arrangements had been made for seat
ing several thousand, but the accommoda-
tions were wholly insufficient for the
throngs that packed two floors of the large
building. Nearly 5000 boys, all members
of the league, occupied chairs upon the
main floor, the tiers of benches all around
were taxed to their utmost, and there was
a decided crush for space round the gal
lery railing. Those who came late were
compelled to stand wherever they could
find room. When the ceremonies began
it was estimated that between 10000 to
5000 persons were present.
The exercises were to have opened at 2
P NJ, but it took considerable time to
place the various branches and cadets of
the league in their allotted quarters. With
drums tattooing they marched in amid
applause and took their seats, and then
when ali were present they presented an
imposing spectacle. The cadet corps in
uniform were drawn up Immediately in
front of the speakers stand, while scat
tered over the floor were the banners of
the league and American flags. The hall,
too, was draped with the Stars and Stripes
with good effect.
The speakers platform was reserved for
vice. presidents ard invited guests His
Grace, the Most Rev. 2. w. Riordan, was
in front, with the Revs. P G. Yorke, 2. e.
Mulligan and Philip Organ, P. Scanlan,
James Mcdonald. P. r. Lynch, ]. Nc
Kenna, ST., ana several other clergymen
no
inent Catholic laymen were also on the
platform.
After an overture had been played by
the Hebrew Orphan Asylum band, the
audience arose and sang the "Veni
Creator" The usual prayers of the
leagues ceremonies were said and then
Thomas II. Fallon, president of the
society, called the meeting to order He
stated in the course of his remarks that
the League of the Cross had $500 bows and
600 cadets, all pledged TO temperance until
they have reached their twenty first wear.
In explaining the essay contest he SAID
that rallies were held once year in each
parish branch, at which prize ESSAYS were
read. The winner in each parish was
entered in competition in his district, and
the best essayists of the four districts at
last meet for the "Riordan medal" 1t
was for the honor of winning this emil blem
that the rally and contest were held
yesterday.
The Judges chosen were: Madison Bah
cock, Supenntend ent of Public Schools;
Professor Bradley of the University of
California, Brother Walter of ST. Mary's
College, Oakland, and the Rev. Father
Riordan. S. j., of Santa Clara College.
The competitors were: Sergeant f. ].
Sullivan of Company l, district 1; Lieu
tenant Nicholas Denvlr OF Company L,
district 2; Sergeant Thomas Eccles of
II !; o.
min f. Mckinley of Company A, district
4 "The Influence of Race and Religion
ON the Prevalence of Intem perance' was
the subject of their essays.
The League of the Cross Chorus gave
t'Let the Hills and Wales Resound" under
direction of Professor Sandy, and Chaun-
cey Olcott sang Rory Darling and an
other Irish song for an encore.
The essays were read by the four dis
trict repre- esentatives, who were given re-
peated ovations.
1t fell to the lot of Benjamin l.. McKin-
ley, cousin OF the Republican nominee
for President, to win the medal. His es-
say evinced a mind remarkably ripe and
well directed for youth of his years; the
treatment of the subject was broad and
scientific He investigated the genesis of
races, their environment and develop
ment, taking into consideration at the same
time the effect OF religious thought upon
them. He said:
Blu: aside from the influence of race and
heredty, the idea of moral responsibility to q
supreme being has always been powerful
factor in the suppression of intemperance.
The Mosaic law is full of warnings 10 the
people of Israel of the lurking dangers OF the
wine-cup, and to this day drunken Hebrew
is sight so rare as to cause remark. Many
there were, however, who cast aside the law
and the God who gave ii, and set up false
olYlnltles to deity their passions, and enlight-