The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-08-18

SoSAeISS. Lie report SHOWED Hem>
bership of 81,121 by unions.
Mgr. Conaty was called on and re-
ferred to previous conventions in Phila,
delphia and the Buffalo convention OF
1877. There is an element here to-day.
he said, which was not present then
but which has lent strength to the
movement. The first woman delegate
was received with fear and trembling,
but the Veronica League has done
much to encourage the Catholic women
OF America. Perhaps today there are
as many Catholic temperance societies
outside the union as in it, yet all owe
their existence to the union. Great
strides have been made We preach to-
day what we would have spoken guard
eddy twenty-tlree years ago. 81 never
saw moment in which l was not
proud to say that 1 am pledged total
abstainer, thanks under God to my mo-
ther At her knee in 1868, before going
to college, took my first pledge. The
pledge is not the badge OF the drunkard
1t is not badge OF reformation. 1t is
the badge OF preservation"
J. Washington Logue, Esq, was tenn
porary chairman, and welcomed the att
dience. He expressed the hope that the
meeting would awaken an ardor as
warm as the weather. He said that
Philadelphia stood in the front rank in
total abstinence because at all times it
had the approval and hearty co-opera>
ton OF its spiritual father Here we
have enrolled not only the laborer the
mechanic and the professional man, but
the great archbishop, who is not above
|associating himself with the humblest
worker in the cause by taking the Cath
Ollie total abstinence pledge. MIR. Loguc
then introduced Archbishop Ryan as
permanent chairman.
The band played Hail to the Chief"
amid applause, at the conclusion Of
which His Grace addressed the audi.
ence as fellow total abstainers," and
then referred to the fact that he had
taken the pledge from Father Mathew.
He said it was appropriate that the
convention should meet here in the
Quaker City, since the great movement
had its inception in the mind of Will
liam Martin, Quaker, whose part in
interesting Father Mathew was shown
by extracts read from the biography OF
the apostle OF temperance, who hest
tated at first not because the sugges-
ton came from the Quakers, for in
deeds OF charity men of all denomina-
tons or OF none at all can unite. Our
Divine Lord selected as an example OF
charity not Jew, but Samaritan, Il
hereto, Father Mathew lesitated only
because of a dstr,,st of his own ability.
Here His Grace alluded to the personal
share i'll the movement taken by the
apostle OF temperance when he set an
example to others by signing the
pledge, saying at the same time "hcrc
goes in the name OF God" This move
lncnt started by devoted members OF
the Society OF Friends was given SUI
pcrnatural motive by a Catholic priest
and soon spread throughout Ireland,
England the United States and Aus
tralla, and has brought many bcnedic-
tons to millions.
In conclusion His Grace said: ri here
pledge myself to do all in my power in
the days that remain to ne and within
the sphere OF my influence to render
successful the total abstinence move
meat"
At Father Doyle's suggestion it was
decided to send through Archbishop
Ryan cable dispatch extending greet
ings to the Pope, and asking for his
blessing.
Mrs. L. M. Lake was the last speaker
and delivered fine address to women,
saying in part: "It is wonder that
women have borne so long the evils OF
the drink habit. How long will il be
before they arise to their dignity? God
made woman to be the completion of
man. The Catholic Total Abstinence
Union is founded on Christian moral
ity 1t holds fast to faith and principle.
Why arc you not in it? You are in the
Sodalty. the Altar Society, the League
OF the Sacred Heart Give them gen.
crously of your time, but for Gods
sake save enough to help along total
abstinence"
Father Doyle, the national secretary,
announced the award OF the prize ban
ncr for the greatest increase in adult
membership. St. Columba's, OF Phila-
delphia, added Sc during the year; St.
Roses Ladies Society, of Mcriden,
Conn, added &C. but St. Vincent's Men,
OF Chicago, gained $50 since the last
convention. Judge Walter j. Gibbons
received the banner on behalf of this
society, and said it was their intention
to win it again next year, so that any
other competitors have ample notice.
The exercises closed with the singing in
chorus OF "The Renewal OF the Pledge"
to the tune Of america"
On Thursday at a. M, solemn