Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-08-11
CONVENTIONS
FIRST SESSION

Tie city of Wilkesbarre yesterday
was given over to ihs Ra,h ring lIosii
nf che Oatho io Total Abstinence I'm,
ton. With the opsning of the day rsp.
re>entative bUdi, s from nearly every
oranch in the country were present Ia
transaot the business of the conven.
tion. Nearly one thousand delegate.
we're on hand.
Is was almost II O'Clock when the
convention was called to order. Faith
er Ourian introduced. after paying
him many compliments. Mayor Fred
kirkendalI, who d. livered the spec oi,
Of welcome. Among nther things the
mayor said:
never believe in mixing religion
and politics, although most churches
and politicians do bother with one or
the other but cannot help calling to
mind the last time that l was privileR.
ed to speak in this hall. and TO com.
pare the peaceful sc' nes of today with
the war who0ps of this last occ aston.
| officiated as chairman of Demo-
cratic county convention. and if there
sI,ul happen TO be- lone of u,"
among you. il viii not be necessary
for me to 60 into the details of the
| difference baween then and now
Enough to know ihat my knees nre
not cracking togeih her SO much aud the
accident insurance company that CAR
ries my risk is feeling better today
than at the former tune. SO are we all
happy togetlnr at this joyful Gel. bra.
tiou.
As look over this hall and see the
smiling faces Uf the robust manly Am.
ericans. who are bound together for
the purpose OF living temperate hon.
est. and useful life, aud thus exem
plifying the advantages OF happines,
aud prosperity that such right living
makes po>s. No, the pleasure If vel.
coming you to our beautiful city is u
particularly pleasing proposition.
1t is not often that a Mayor is call
ed upon to address a convention that
has been instrumental in bringing SO
many distinguished visitors to our
city. aud it is positive proof Of the ex.
| csllence of your organization aud what
great ruen and all citizens OF this ma.
tion think Of you.
Our city Is honored by having you
with Us and doubly honored by the
su ccess Of your efforts in bringing to
our home that most distinguished Am-
rrican Citizen. President The odore
Roosevelt.
Your organiztt is a credit to our
country. The example You set for the
young men is doing more real good
than you have any idea Of. The uece,-
sity Of temperance in everything is
what the youth of today needs drilled
into them. These are strenuous times
and the tendency of the youth is to-.
ward OVERRIDING. The o. T. A. U. is
doing its part and doing it we'll.
Bishop Regis Oanevin. the presi lent
of the national union, iu reply of the
mayor said:
"In the name of the y. 7. A. U. of
A. and all the su Dor dinate societies. l
thank you for your cordial welcome
aud congratulate the city OF Wilkes.
barre in having as its chief executive
man OF so upright q character aud
such clean reputation aud a man who
can grasp ths objects represented by
this association SO we'll, and express
them so clearly in words as you h.ve
done.
There Is a mingling of religion and
politics because for the true Christian,
for the mem nbers of the O. T. A. U.
politics means the application OF the
gospel of Chlist and the relation Of
God and his holy works to public af.
fairs and to the daily lives OF men be-
fore the public.
The law which ob.igss man to love
his neighbor as himself is the very
fundamental principle of our patriot
ism and good government. And that
love OF ones neiehbor and of public
good before any selfish purpose Is what
charaoterizes the conduct and reputa.
tion OF the mayor of Wilkesbare at the
present time.
Your honor. I thank you in the name
of the @. T. A. U. Of A.
Then came the lengthy annual re-
port of Secretary Logue. which was
followed By the splendid address Of
Bishop Canevin, who concluded with
tile following eloquent allusion to the
Apostolic benediution:
I'VE have yet another reason to re-
joice. and be grateful to God on this
day. The Most Rev. Archbishop Ryan
writes that His Holiness Plus x. be-
slows his al .tolic benedicsion on this
convention and r, news for the men,
bers of the Catholic Total Abstinence
Union Of America all the indnlgencies,
spiritual favors, aPprovals aud words
Of encouragement which were granted
by his illustrious predecessors. Pope
Plus LX and Pope Leo KILL.
The words and blessing of the Vicar
of Christ have sustained this union in
its struggles. 1t has had to meet and
overcome habits of ease ana indulg.
ence: social customs. political oorrup.
tion. and material interests. I. it has had
to endure the mistrust Of many good
and earnest men the mischief done ny
weak or indiscreat brethren: the ridi-
cule and coarse jibes Of idlers and
trifsrs: the Indifference Of timid and
apathetio friends: and the deseItiOn of
some leaders who. after long and zeal
Gus service, retired, wearied and dis.
couraRed.
Today the great convention will greet
Theodore Roosevelt. the President of