The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-04

law it seems that Catholic priests in Ohio
were not permitted to visit and minister to
Catholics who might be so unfortunate as
to have forfeited, as penalty Of crime,
their personal liberty. There is nothing
in this law that ought not to be the law in
every state in the Union. Tt is simply a
recognition of the rights of conscience in
religious matters, and has no reference
whatever to the schools, they being pro.
tected by constitution made by the
Democratic party.
In Minnesota Republican legislature
enacted the same kind of law, with
scarcely dissenting voice.
And in Wisconsin, last winter, bill pre-
cisely similar passed the senate. which is
Republican, and would also have passed
the Democratic assembly had it not been
so late in the session that there was not
sufficient time for full examination of its
provisions,
The Massachusetts legislature, both
branches of which were strongly Repub
lican, passed, last spring, ian act to pro-
vide for religious instruction in prisons
which is almost identical with the Ohio
law. Here it is: II
| (Chap 1861
An act to provide for religious instruction in
Be IL enacted, &C., as follows: SEC. 1. No in
mate OF any prison, Jail or house OF correction In
this commonwealth shall be denied the free exer-
n halt ~
Ing God according 10 the dictates of the conscience
within the place where such inmate may be kept
or confined, and 1t shall be the duty OF the officers
and boards Of officers having the management and
direction Of any such institutions to make such
rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry
out the intent and provisions Of this act.
SEC. .. Nothing herein contained shall be so
construed as to impair the discipline of any prison
and safe custody Of its inmates.
SEC. 3, This act shall take effect upon its pas
! "[Approved April Is, 1851
In Massachusetts, or Wisconsin, or Min
nesota the law has never evoked unfayora-
bic criticism. There can be no valid OBJ
lection to the Geghan law. 1t ought to
be enacted in every state in the Union
The Republicans in Hamilton county, Ohio,
(Cincinnati) where Mr.. Geghan resides,
attempted, in their county convention, to
pass a resolution censuring the Geghan
bill and. demanding its repeal, but the res
> olution was killed dead by laying it on the
table, But what of the pretences of the
speakers and papers that are now declaring
, the law to be dangerous and recent Dem
ocratic invention?
There is not a syllable in the act to
which exception can be taken. 1t con.
forms to the first article of the constitution
which declares:
or support any place Of worship, or maintain any
form OF worship against his consent; and no prefer
ence shall be given by law to any religious society
nor shall any interference with the rights to con
, | science be permitted
8 The Geghan law puts all persons on al
: equal footing, whether Jew or Gentle, and
e e treats Christian denominations with exac
ID justice, giving to each the same privileg,
and the same opportunity of ADMINISTRATION
i among the unfortunate There is nothing
concealed, and not one word which relate
to schools, in the remotest manner, or b!
any possibility of construction.
:, Yet, in the face of these indisputabl
- facts, the Republican leaders have strivel
- to turn attention away from the iniquitie
! for which they are responsible, by erin
70 inal attempt to convert religious bigotr
into an element of partisan strife, and
- drag down the most sacred things into tn
a 9th of their own proAigacy,-and Grant
:. Desmoines speech was artfully designe
y to help on this lying Know Nothing move
ment.
= When called to account by the people
N Ohio for the robberies, venality, jobber
50 fraudulent contracts, Infamous Legislation
:, bribery, and rascaity which have shocke
the country, fearfully augmenting the blu
., dens OF taxpayers, and eliminating
bankruptcy, the only answer of the R
90 publican party is, the Geghan law! III
IA common schools are in danger!
49,, If there was no other reason for crushiI
a this party out of existence, the crime
-, introducing such an element into polite
n controversy ought to be sufficient. Inste'
of helping the desperate Gemagogues al
~ money changers who have protaned Il
temple, it will react fesrfully against thel
81 and contribute largely to that final defe
to which every indication now points, al
will be welcomed by the country as dea
ion blow to revival of the proscriptive Kno
md Nothing organization.
liar
out Court Records and books for coun
nd. offices made in the best manner at TT