The Irish standard., 1914-02-14
Rev. James NJ. Reardon of St. Paul Gives
His Views on This All Important
Question
In an Address Before Large Gathering of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians
in that City

Taking for his subject 1.-THE Catho.
lie Church and the American Saloon"
Rev. James M. Reardon of st. Paul
delivered the following mastery ad-
dress at Hibernian Hall, that city, last
Monday evening:
The tidal wave of temperance re.
form which is sweeping over America
is but one phase of the moral awak-
ening through which the nation is
passing. It is but one manifestation
of that aroused public conscience
which would make personal integrity
the badge of true citizenship, and
civic virtue the cornerstone Of nation
al life. The advocates of temperance
reform have succeeded in engendering
determined public sentiment adverse
to the liquor traffic as it is now con-
Quoted; and this agitation is not un-
likely to result in some practical, ra-
tional solution of the question.
In many quarters the view is gain
ing ground that the liquor problem is
one which cannot be adequately dealt
with solely from the legislative, eco
nomic or physiological standpoint. 1t
is largely a social problem involving
ethical considerations; and, therefore,
its solution must be worked out in &C.
cordance with the highest standards
of morality. Since the drink habit
is intimately interviewer with the life
activity of the individual it falls with
in the scope of each ones conscience,
and efforts for its repression will de-
pend largely for success on the effect
of an intelligent appeal to the moral
nature of the individual. The stimulus
of an enlightened conscience alone
can arouse each one to a realization
of the fact that it is for his personal
welfare and for the good of others
that he forego the qualification of his
appetite for intoxicants.
In this work of personal and social
regeneration religion must play no
minor role. Religion cannot be d.
vorced from the permanent betterment
of the masses: it must stand sponsor
to every successful effort to improve
their condition and elevate their NOR
al tone. Religion alone can effectively
appeal to mind and heart and thus
bring to bear upon each one that sal
utary influence which makes for right
eousness. Since the liquor problem
centers, in no small degree, around
the individuals conception of what
constitutes personal liberty and min
listers to the supposed needs of SEN
sual exaltation, he should be the first
object Of our solicitude.
But the great obstacle which bars
the way to individual reformation
is the ever-present saloon. It's doors
stand invitingly open to entice the un.
wary; its siren voice never ceases
to allure it's victims from the path of
rectitude; it's very presence is silent,
but almost irresistible, call to indulge
in strong drink. The saloon is the
plague-spot of our national life; and
hence it is that the Catholic Church
is arrayed against it as an institu.
tion from which. as from Pandora's
box, spread all the evils of the liq-
uor traffic. The Catholic Church is
the avowed and uncompromising ene-
my of the American saloon; and it
desires more ardently that this "pes.
tilential evil" be wiped out entirely
that it may no longer curse the race.
The Catholic Church does not main.
tain that 1t is morally wrong to take
a drink; nor does she condemn the
selling of liquor as sinful and demoral.
izing in itself. Her position on this
question is determined by considera.
tion of the dangers to which the drink.
er exposes himself, and of the evils
with which the traffic is ordinarily as.
ISOLATED. At the present time intem-
perance has become so great scourge
and so terrible curse that 1t exerts
Its bltghting power over mans physi-
cal, mental and spiritual well-being.
But. we are told, 1t is the abuse, and
not the use, Of strong drink which
the Church condemns. Do those who
try to shield their shortcomings be-
hind the cloak of this objection think
that we are not aware Of the fact?
They do not seem to realize that the
use as we'll AZ the abuse Of intoxicat-
ing beverages merits our strongest dis.
approval and condemnation whenever
it becomes an occasion of sin to the
individual and a menace to society.