The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-29
THE CRUSADE AGAINST BRINK
PROGRESS MADE BY CHAMPIONS
FIGHTING THE RUM DEMON.

II
The Rev. James M. Reardon, of st.
Paul's Seminary, st. Paul, Minis.
writes as follows in the Home Herald
The Catholic Church has often been
accused Of counting an alliance with
the saloon. We challenge any one to
adduce a particle Of evidence in sup
port Of this infamous calumny. I'm
fortunately many members of the
fold are engaged in this scul-destFoy-.
ing business, and many more are VIC
tins OF its ruthless sway. BY reason
of this the church has been placed In
a false position before the world, and
in order TO set herself right aud re-
move every cause for even the slight
est misunderstanding regarding her
attitude toward the drink evil, she
has in her official u~tterances and in
her practices, not less than In her sol
emn DEGREES, declared unrelenting
warfare against 1t and made her posi-
ton kpown.in no uncertain terms. In
the DEGREES promulgatedlby the Plen-
airy Councils of Baltimore, the Catho-
lie Church legislated for pastors and
peopIe, and made known her attitude
toward the drink traffic and the vice
of intemperance. There can be no
manner of doubt" she says, "that the
abuse OF intoxicating liquors is to pc
reckoned among the most deplorable
evils Of the country" 81
Furthermore, while the selling CT
liquor is not declared to be unlawful
in itself, Catholics engaged in itlare
urged to choose. "a more becoming
way Of making a. living" and II they
do not heed the warning voice OF the
Church In this matter and persist IN
dispensing alcoholic beverages to the
public, they expose themselves to
grave personal dangers besides con-
shutting themselves occasions OF sin
to others. "Fhey must" says the
Third PIenary Council of Baltimore,
keep their saloons closed on Sunday
and never allow blasphemy, cursing
or obscene language. Saloonkeepers
should know that IL through their
culpabfe neglect, religion Is brought
into contempt or men brought TO
ruin, there is an ayenger in heaven
who will surely exact from them the
severest penalties"
But if, Notwithstanding this solemn.
admonition, Catholics persist IN this
unbecoming business and give occa-
sion to excessive drinking, especially
on Sundays" pastors are exorted TO.
infict on them the severe penalty OF
exclusion from the sacraments. The
proclamation of the Lords Day by the
sale Of liquor and the f~requenting or
places where it is sold, Is regarded as
80 prolific Of evil results that the
bishops issued a special pastoral let
ter In condemnation Of 1t, in the
course of which they "implore all
Catholics. Tor the love OF God and OF
country, never to take part Il q
Sunday traffic, not to patronize OF
countenance it. And we not Only dl-
rect the attention Of all pastors to the
repression of this abuse, but we also
call upon them to induce all OF their
focks who may be engaged in the sale
of Iiouor. to abandon as soon as they
can this dangerous traffic. In view
Of all this definite legislation, who
will dare to assert that the Catholic
Church is the friend of the saloon!
Gould she, more forcibly or in strong
err terms express her abhorrenceE OF
the nefarious traffic?
We need to hear once more IN our
day a fearless :denunciation OF the
LIQUOR traffic from the lips of u ap-
pointed leaders, and thus receive tho
assurance that they will not hesitate
to blaze the trail along which we are
TO walk; that they will never lower
the flag until this enemy OF human
neace and national progress ceases to
curse the land. The Church in Amer
lea, to be faithful to her mission, must
guide and direct into the proper chan"
mel the great moral revolution psn-
cred in blythe twentieth century. she
must continue to be in the van OF the
forces of righteousness which make
for temperance reform. She must
NOT seek, much less accept, favors
from the foe. Through her leaders
she must bring to bear upon n Prod.
lens which agitate humanity the hgnt
of her traditional wisdom: