Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-20
OBJECT TO CLASSIFICATION
ORDER OF HIBERNIANS NOT
WITH LIQUOR INTERESTS
Statement Made by Prominent
Member of the Order-Car-
dinal Gibbons Quoted

I ProCourcements in the local papers in
Tolving the Ancient Order of Hibernians
I in a proposed onslaught on the temper
aUCe movement in the District have
evoked a great deal of comment among
the members Of that organization Ac-
cording to statements Of those prominent
in the order the connection of the Hiher-
mans as an organization with the reform
wave is without warrant of fact. no such
alliance having been formed
Mr., P. T. Moran OF this city, Il member
of the national board of directors of the
Ancient Order of H.bernians. explained to
/ a Star reporter that no pact had been
entered into by the society to help any
orga nization or individual in UNFOLDING
either party to a temperance controversy.
y p 10 the present time" said Mr.
Moran the HibernIanS have not bound
themselves to lend their influence to
either side of the saloon controversy, nor
has such movement been suggested to
me. officially or personally. / have been at
a loss TO know the source and authority
for such statements as have appeared in
The local papers.
Requires Action by Board.
To start such movement in the An
ritut Order of Hibernians would require
The formal action of the national board
IF directors or Il national convention OF
the order. Participation in an anti-temper-
anCe movement was not considered at the
last national convention OF the society,
held at Saratoga. y Y. in 1906, nor has
il come before any BOARD meeting SUISSE
Iucut thereto.
Yes. il IS possible that at our next con-
veutiOn in indianapolis, Ind, In lSS,
some delegate may ask the convention 10
give the subject consideration. But 1t is
ut 1N a
Ancient Order of Htbernlans Will lend its
influence one way or the other in this con-
troversy.'
Some members of the order in Washing
ton are inclined to take umorage at the
connection of the society with the move
ment to oppose the temperance forces OF
this city and declare that the zeal Of
members of the order to uphold the ten
cts OF the sa!OOniStS has exceeded proper
discretion 1t was also suggested that the
association OF the Ancient order of Hiber-
mans with the temperance question came
about through an utilization with the Ger
man American Alliance. This latter BODY,
at q meeting held i'll New YORK recently
passed resolutions to make vigorous
fight against the prohibition forces in
every state, particularly before the com
ing session of Congress. But this acton,
it is stated is not binding on the Ancient
Order of HibernianS without the sanction
of the national convention or the national
board Of directors.
Not only the local HiberIiians. but
Catholics in general, have discussed
the reported action of the A. O. II. |
in engaging in a campaign in the interest |
Of the saloon. The organization Is regard |
ed as one of the strongest of fraternaI |
bodies. whose members are all communi- |
cauts of the Catholic Church. The order |
has viewed the liquor question, 1t is de- |
cIared, in a catholic spirit, and numbers |
in its membership both the Temperance
advocates and those engaged in the sale |
Of intoxicating liquors
Views of Cardinal Gibbons.
II is thought to be of interest at this |
time to note the recently expressed views
of Cardinal Gibbons, the primate OF the |
Catholic Church in this country on the |
liquor question:
The church is not fana teal on the sub !
jeCt of liquor the cardinal declares, but |
teaches moderation. Her path Is not one
of rigor, nor yet of laXity, but the middle |
COurse-the golden mean. The use of |
Liquor in moderation Is not to be con- |
demned. but If there is danger of abuse |
then it should not be used at all
our Lord was present at banquets |
where wine was used, and changed water !
into wine and by His presence sanctioned !
It's use in moderate quantities. I cannot |
too strongly applaud those who denounce |
tine vice of intemperanCe. 1t blasts the |
flower of youth. undermines the constitu-
ton and renders its yotar.es degraded |
members Of society.
My experience of more than fifty years |
in the ministry has been daily witness |
II its baneful effects, and has left sad |
impressions. The abuse of the use is writ
ten on the records Of society and of the |
individual.
But we must take men as they are
and moderate use Of liquor has never |
F,Et4 tIArfY nod hN- ha oh 1rnh