The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-08-20
1t affords me great pleasure to off,
tally greet the delegates of the Cath,


olic Abstinence Union Of America, as
$enbled in our thirty:fourth annual
convention. After an absence of
years, we come to st. Louis again to
strengthen our forces. All roads lead
to st. Louis this year, as all roads led
to Rome in its imperial days. 1t is
proper that we should hold this con-
vention in st. Louis. which commem-
crates the Louisiana purchase by the
greatest exposition that the world has
ever witnessed, and we are grateful
to the representative Of the st. Louis
societies for the invitation.
Catholics We're an important factor
in early life Of st. Louis and old
Louisiana. This city is named after
the s:linted king of Catholic France.
The explorers, the early settlers, the
men who gave character to the be-
ginnings of history in this part of our
republic, We're Catholics, who made
great sacrifices to preserve Catholic
| faith and Catholic traditions.
1t is meet that the Catholic Total
| Abstinence union should meet here in
| convention during an exposition which
| commentaries the noble deeds of. our
| forefatherS in the faith. in this west
| ern land. The exposition is in great
| degree educa tiOnal, an object lesson.
| Conventions Of all kinds assemble here
for various purposes, but our work is
! in Il large measure educational, and
| partakes of the character of the eX-
| position. We assemble here to pro-
claim to the visitors from all parts Of
the world and to the world at large
as well, our adherence to the principles
Of total abstinence-our belief that
total abstinence is the best remedy for
the evils of intemperance.
Our union, which has existed for
thirty-four years, is ever progressive
in its work. The past year, as the
secretaW's report will show, has been
productive of great good, through the
| new societies that have Joined our
ranks, as we'll as by means of the ac-
| tive interest exercised by the other So
cieties. AS the members Of the ex-
ecutive council reside widely apart, we
have not been able to hold frequent
meetings during the year, but the gen
| elsl secretary and myself have met
| and discussed questions that have pre-
sented themselves, and when neces-
Snry. have consulted the other men,
bcrs of the council.
The secretary has been interchangeable
in meeting situations as they devel
opetl. consulting the executive, and in
great measure, bringing matters to a
successful issue. His report will not
give an idea of the enormous CORE
Spondence attendant in his work, and
the difficult questions that come up for
adjustment.
The conventions Of the various sub
ordinate unions held during the year,
have been an impulse to greater effort
and have served their purpose as an
educational feature. The union is
| progressing in this line.
The deliberations of the conventions
are carried on with more method and
greater intellectual capacity. Arch
bishops, bishops and Priests, by their
presence at these conventions, and by
their wise words Of counsel and en-
enlargement, have been stimulus to
greater activity.
The public meeting during the con-
vention at which addresses are deliv-
cred by prominent total abstinence
workers has great etlucatio value.
This feature has brought our work to
the notice of many who had no knOwl-
edge Of the army of thousands who are
BATTLING against the demon Of intern
perance.
Another educational feature Of the
work of the national union Is the Of
fetal publication that has taken a new
form during the past year. The Bull
letin contains valuable informant ton
concerning the work carried on by so.
cieties and subordinate unions, impor
tant announcements, practical recon-
mcndations and wholesome advice
The labor undertaken by the general
secretary in this line is very consider
able, and ought to be appreciated by
an extensive circulation of the Bulle
tin.
The Bulletin is powerful means o.
spreading the light The light canno
he dittused if it is hid under bushe
kept by the secretary Of each society
The publication is sent every month t.
all societies affiliated with the nationa
, union. 1t is not intended for the sec
, rotary only, but for circulation among
the members of the society. The eX
, pense OF publishing the Bulletin is me
principally by the per capita tax. TIL
: collection of this tax is another wor
5 that taxes the energies Of the genera
secretary. The amount collected thi
n year is very creditable, perhaps til
t largest that has ever been paid into til
J. national treasury. From persons
:; knowledge 1 can testify that the gel
J. eral secretary has labored hard to e
J, feet the payment Of this tax. In som