The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-07


the Catholic Total Abstinence
Union great change has taken
place in the drinking customs of
society. At the time the Union
was formed the drink habit held
almost universal sway. In the
commercial world, among profess
sional men and in the serried ranks
of society indulgence in intoxicat-
ing beverages was so alarmingly
prevalent as to be menace to the
individual, the family and the
community. Every one drank more
or less; it was fashionable to do
so; and few had the courage to be
out of style. Thinking men saw
the danger and issued warning !;
but few gave heed to their words.
The leaders in the Catholic total
abstinence propaganda based their
reform on moral suasion made eff
fective by the restraining in
fuence of religion. There was a
loyal response on the part of the
faithful and for nearly a score Of
years the interest in Catholic total
abstinence work was unbounded.
Then came the reaction. The
emotional appeal which had
proved a sufficient stimulus in the
beginning gradually lost it's effec-
tiveness. Something more was
needed. The continued success of
the movement demanded new
methods. The scientific treatment
of the question began to receive
more attention in certain quarters.
This phase Of temperance study
was then in it's infancy; but for
many years no attempt was made
by the G. T. A. u. to make it's
teaching accessible to all and, as a
consequence, interest waned and
the ranks grew thinner year by
year.
During the past decade of years
more and more attention has been
paid to the scientific groundwork
Of the temperance movement and
as a result there has been engen-
dered a more intellectual concep-
ton Of the needs Of total alb
stinence. It is rather unfortunate
that the leaders in Catholic total
abstinence work have not taken
cognizance of the trend Of modern
research as much as they should
have done. The educational phase
of the question has been largely
neglected. At the National Con-
vention where emphasis ought to
be laid on this all-important fea-
ture few have been found to raise
their voices in it's behalf. The
veterans in the movement point to
the work accomplished by the
methods Of pioneer days and fail
to realize the necessity of a
change.
At this years convention no at
tempt was made to do any edu.
cational work. The reports Of the
meeting show thai only one paper
was read, and in the program
issued by the national office even
that was not mentioned. This is
a mistake. The National Conven-
ton ought to make some provision
for educational work, for the dis.
semination of scientific knowledge
in regard to the ravages of alcohol
on the human system. With this
as foundation the intellect can
be reached and through it the
emotional appeal made effective
otherwise it will fall on deaf ears
and unresponsive hearts.
The resolutions passed at this
years convention are of the usual
milk-and-water variety. similar tc
those that have graced the record
Of other days. It is true that the
convention recognized the ad:
vantages accruing to the youne
from a proper education concern
ing the dangers of Intoxicating
drinks and urged that Catholic
schools see that children are prop
erly instructed in this regard but
no suggestion was made as to the
manner in which this resolution
could be carried into effect. How
this can be accomplished is g
matter for the leaders of the move
ment to deliberate on. There car
be no doubt that the real temper
ance work Of the future must Ii
done among the young, and in nc
better way can it's foundation
be laid than by placing before
their youthful minds the dangers
to body and soul that result from
indifference in drink. For wears