The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-10-19
IN FIR. MATHEWS MEMORY
propriateIy Held Last Night at the
Hyperion-An Eloquent Address ny
1t. Rev. MonaInnor Comfy.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Conaty.

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Conaty.
The semi centennial anniversary OF
Father Mathews visit to New Haven
was commemorated under the auspices
of the Central Total Abstinence union
of this city at the Hyperion last even
ing, large number being in attend
ance. The exercises of the evening be-
gan with a musical programme IN
which some excellent local talent par
ticipated. The opening number was
male quartet in which Richard Gordon
sang the obligato solo. Then followed
solos by Miss Margaret Hogan, j.
Maurice Porter, pianist, Frank e. Ed
Edgar, Miss Josephine c. Conway,
Frank Taylor elocutionist, Joseph G.
Criddle and Richard B. Gordon.
The duet by Miss Hogan and Mr.. Ed
gar was well sung. Mr.. Criddle sang
Beware" displaying a resonant voice,
and Richard B. Gordon gave Trotere' 8
ballad "Asthore" with a particularly
well developed voice, showing marked
improvement since it's last hearing. All
were generously received, especially
the latter.
The Rt Rev. Michael Tierney, D. D.,
bishop of the diocese of Hartford, and
president of the National Total Absti-
nence union, in a few we'll chosen words
then introduced the orator of the even
ing, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas j.
Conaty, d. D., rector of the Catholic
university, Washington, D. c., and ex-
president of the G. r. A. U. of America
Rev. Conaty Is a most polished ora
tor and in forceful language set forth
the virtues of the late Father Mathew
and those of temperance. After a
pleasant allusion to Yale university and
her new president, Professor Hadley,
whom SO many came here to honor,
FIR. Conaty spoke at length of the work
Father Mathew accomplished fifty
Years ago. The highest greatness is
the greatness of goodness. 1t is the
moral force which makes others better
and nobler and purer by its individual
influence. To this class Father Mathew
belonged, and for this, humanity loves
and venerates his memory. A simple
Irish priest. low Capuchin monk, he
preached the crusade of total abstinence
and revolutionized the world in the in
terests of morality.
Born at Thomastown, near Cashel, in
the county of Tipperary, October 10,
through the terrible days of the insur-
rection in 1898, and witnessed the vile
conspiracy by which an act of union
was effected. In 1907 he entered the
famous college of Maynooth, and in
1914 was ordained priest, after having
entered the order of Capuchins. In Kill
kenny and Cork, he passed many years
among the poor, giving up his time
n 1oor ,i.1rr - .aI,o g T..
the instruction of poor children. In
1880 temperance society was started
in Cork under the auspices and direc-
ton of Protestant gentlemen, the most
prominent of whom was William Mar
tin, well known Quaker. The COM
munity was thoroughly Catholic, and
the notions of temperance advocated by
men of pronounced antagonism in re-
ligion were not popular. William Mar
tin often pleaded with Father Mathew
to enter the lists for temperance, but
to no avail until Father Mathew saw
by experience the necessity for some
effort in organized method against the
evil which he felt was the cause of |
the degradation and poverty of the
people.
Then at a meeting called for temper
ance, April TO- 1888, Father Mathew ut
tered those memorable words, Here !
goes in the name of God" and signed
the pledge of total abstinence. The
she pherd of Israel thus placed the peb-
bles in his scrip and went forth with
scrip and sling to give battle to the
giant of intemperance. His march
through Ireland was that of a con-
queror. Catholic and Protestant alike
proudly received his medals and wore
them. In 1912 in Scotland, and in 1S43
in England, the same magnificent re-
suits were obtained.
In spite of physician, in the face of
almost certain death, Father Mathew,
In 1S49, came to America. No man be-
fore or since ever met with such a well
come. The governor of Massachusetts
and the prominent men of the state well
coined him to Boston. Fifty years ago
to-day he came to New Haven. Father
O'Reilly, the mayor. distinguished citi-
zens of all creeds and parties received
him. Eleven thousand people took the
pledge Worcester received him with
marked honor, and to the credit Of
Worcester be it said, the society which
Father Mathew founded, which bears
lis name, has been faithful and fearless
n doing his work ever since.
New York and Philadelphia gave
him princely reception as he jour
Keyed on to Washington. The agitation
against slavery was then going on, |
md much bitterness was manifested by |
,onle abolitionists because Father
Iathew would not espouse their cause. |
Iut he had but one mission, and that
gainst intemperance, and he refused to
70 led into any political ENHANCEMENT
this friction, he was
eceived in congress by the leaders of !
10Th parties, and Seward, Cass and {
LAY eulogiZed him and gave him the
reedom of the capitol. He visited }
wenty five states and spoke in 300
tiles and towns, and when he returned G
D Ireland in 1851 he bore with him c
croll bearing the names of 100000 men $
,ho took his pledge and Wore his y
ledal. Catholic and non-Catholic. :
rotestant and infidel-all races all ;
reeds recognized him as a man of God @
nd they We're made better by his N
ord and example. He died in Queens
,wn, December s, 1856, and he was
uried in his beloved Cork, under the
ross which he himself had erected