Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05

bless during the ages our sons ana
their sons. and those that will be born
of them; To bless during ages all peo-
pleS who may strive in their own lands
for civil and political liberty. Let us
work for America; but remembering
that not in sciences and arts. not in
commerce and armies, must her trust
he; but in men. Significant and
worthy of need are the words of our
own Emerson: The true test of civ
ilization is not the census, not the size
of cities, not the crops, no, but the
kind of men the country turns out
Despite the heat a large audience
was present at the opera house Friday
evening to hear the closing address of
the third session of the Columbian
Catholic summer school. Rev. j. Nj.
Cieary of Minneapolis the diStin
suished opponent of the hQror evil.
took for his subject Catholics and
Temperance. and made a great plea 10
mis- church people to labor in the cause
to which he is devoting his energies.
He said the spirit of Catholicism is
that of unseltish devotion TO humanity
and that no other movement stood in
need of wise leaders like that of ten.-
rerance. He gave history of the
Catholic Total Abstinence union ana
the work it is doing Extracts from
his address follow:
20 ooiy
among our Catholic people concerning
this dreadful drink evil. Catholic pub
lie opinion is not as vigorous and out
spoken as it should be against the sa-
loon and the drink curse. A large per-
centage, a percentage beyond all de-
cent proportions, of the liquor dealers
and saloon keepers Of the country pro-
fess at least membership in the Cath
Ollie church. lncalCulable injury has
been inflicted upon the Catholic re-
ligon In this country by the alliance Of
Catholic names with the infamous bus
mess of spreading intemperarce. We
claim with right to belong to the
church of self denial. to profess the
religion of self control and we owe ii
to ourselves and to our fellow men
that we prove to the world that our
conduct accords with our creed
mo influence in human society can
counteract the debasing influence of
drink like the divine power of religion.
1t enlightens the mind and strengthens
the will against evil. 1t awakens CON
science, and by its ministrations. in
fuses heavens own power in the sim
laden soul. 1t becomes, therefore, Il
special duty of those who are in earn
est in their religious convictions, who
are not specializing in the delusons
and sophistries of religious error. to
lead the way in the warfare against
an evil that is so directly hostile to re-
ligion's hottest influences,
catholics should be the best, the
most fearless, the most earnest and
the most tireless champions of the
temperance cause. They need not fear
the phantom that has been sometimes
raised of mischievous Manicheeism. I'M
der the name of legitimate prohibition
make no plea for prohibition of the
liquor traffic. The prohibition party in
politics is not my client. But | do not
hesitate to declare that there is no
principle of the Catholic faith that
prevents any good, consistent Catholic
from espousing the policy of Legislative
prohibition.
THE American saloon Ia one of the
greatest enemies of the Catholic church
in America today. The saloon in
America conducted by an avowed
Catholic, is in direct opposition to the
spirit of the church in this country In
temperance is our religions deadly foe.
Our church teaches the saving doctrine
of abstinence and self denial The
drink trade is tireless in its efforts
to influence the peoI lie into habits of
dangerous and sensual Indulgence.
The enormous profits realized from the
sale of intoxicants would never have
gladdened the hearts of the drunkard-
makers of the land, if the people had
simply used intoxicating beverages in
decent moderation. 1t is the disgrace
full excess that enriches the seller and
impoverishes the consumer of that
poison, that steals away mems brains,
and robs SO many of the kingdom of
heaven.
"As we love God and are loyal to
our country, let us be valiant and fear
less leaders of our people against tho
giant evil. that defaccs Gods image in
the human soul, curses humanity and
debases the nation"
TO SUCCEED MKENNA.