Waterbury Democrat., 1900-11-26
THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS.
The Rev Father Curtin Makes Some
 Plain Statements. .s ss


 At the 1O:30 o'clock service at St Francis Naviers church, Father Cur tin read Governor Lounsbury's Thanksgiving day proclamation, and then, using it as his text, preached an eloquent sermon on it. The church was crowded to the doors and all lis tened to the preachers words with the closest attention. Father Curtin said he was very particular about what he had to say on the subject and that on this account he would use notes, which he did. The sermon was as follows,
 'The proclamation just read is the official utterance of the chief maglS- trate of our commonwealth. It is en- titled to the highest respect. On the appointed day. in union with every priest in the state. the holy sacrifice of the mass. which is essentially the highest act of thanksgiving to God, will be offered in this church by priest and people. in thanksgiving for the many blessings that reach us despite the influences that obstruct the flow of . abundant blessings destined by God for our happiness.
 'sThe governor strikes q sweet and re- sponsive chord when he speaks of a civilization which endears and conse- crates the associations of home Our civilization. which is primarily relig- ouS civilization. does indeed cOnsecrate our homes. There is no word in any language so suggestive of peace and happiness as the simple word home We have reason to thank God for every influence that fills our land with plenty but what would avail the plen- ty in all the land besides if the one little spot called home were not con- nv 1l.3S n hedged round about by that parental love and SOlicitude.' which are the strongest consecratC of home. There are certain blessings that we can not this year. place on our list, of things to be thankful for. How cheering the prospect would be could we promise ourselves that those blessings would he added to the list before another thanksgiving proclamation is issued Whatever influence diSturbs the love existing in the family circle desecrates the home. There certainly are such disturbing influences round about us Why can We not eliminate more Of them? We are like children in kin dergarten only we do not put our o0- servationS to the same practical use as the children. We read occasionally Of a case of wife beating and we hear our city court protesting. as it did pro test vigorously q few weeks ago. that the whipping post should be restored for such cases We will have every reason to be thankful when the off cials of the court prosecute in no hall- hearted manner the liquor dealer who has a pull and who is responsible for the Sunday drunk that ends in wife beating
 "The one question that has strong or bearing on the 'consecratlon or home than all others is the liquor or license question. On election day, ana for many days previous to election. lhe men who are expected to prosecute drunkards or reft-z them Ill the lEStl- tutions committed to their care are dlS- covered hohnobbing with law breakers and gIuttinC their passion for strong drink. From our Kindergarten window we see on election evening the supreme voter carried off from tue polls. where his usefulness ceased. to the counfY lall where he must respect the honofaoie county gentlemen who gave him. as IL were. a free pass to one Of the three grand institutions committed 10 thelr care. Through the saloons. whose H. censes they control. they introduced him to their jail. and soon they Will receive his children into the county home.
 
 nlaced the saloons. county jails and co,1nty homes all under the care of the same honorable board. There was a time when a majority Of those men were willing to listen to reason. mat day lIas gone by. At present, thlnklh@ men tell lis that our reasoning or iogf; is lost upon them and makes a very poor impression when Tom, Dlck or Harry's free lunch comes up Ill reput- tal' We will have strong reason TOT thanksgiving when public sentiment III this county. as in all the others' liinNe,' if unprofitable, for officials to hohnoD 1vi+b low hreakers or disregard law and evidence. ,,, s.Our county was the last to give up its hold on the grocery saloon. where from the same counter. whlskey was noured out to the loafers, grocerleS and Iiuuor passed to the women anu candy or beer sold to the children. That was an abuse that desecrated our families year ago. It's correctloh ls a blessing that we can, thls year, iul to our list of things to be thankful TOT.
 aDnring the past year, desiring to odd to onr thanksgiving list eighty-five ricked men of intelligence and steadE- ecius habits who are citizen taX-Dayefs of -tbis neiehborhood .deSirous of con secrating the associations of home,
  not on one day but every day ln tne year. petitioned the county comhis- sioners to grant no mere licenses uh- der the caves of their homes because the number is already too great How is their wish respected? Why, the reckless and autocratic majority sim ply grants the first application in deli ance of all law and evidence. Their bosom friend and boon companion. the wholesaler wanted it that way, They felt his tug at the collar and had 10 go his way. ..
 s'The petitioners. who have some con- ception of the paternal instinct. still desire to consecrate the associations of home but under the present guardian angels of this county our governors recommendation sounds like a mock cry.
 tsWhy, the angel of home is the mother. kHow can her home associa- tions be consecrated if she as well as her children and husband are to be ruined by the tenement saloon, estab- lished in spite of the statute law which
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