The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1876-02-17

Catholic faith than by teacher who be-
lieved there was no God. He would have
morality taught in the schools.
Mr.. Campbell explained the reasons
which had prompted him to make the mo-
ton to adjourn. He thought that discus
sion could serve no COED purpose, now that
the matter of revising the school law was
before tho Legislature, and that he was
willing to trust our legislator, to make
such changes a. were necessary,
The Rev. Mr.. Keeper believed that
every man in the house was opposed to the
Macdonald bill. He said that no preacher
or teacher should be allowed to teach any
particular church dogmss or doctrines, but
that pure morals should be taught. Let
the question be discussed fairly and can
didly.
Mr.. Brewer asked if committee had
not been appointed At nesting held some
days before to prepare resolutions to be
submitted to this meeting.
The following resolutions, prepared by
Mr.. Campbell, the Chairman of that COM
lnittee, but considered by the committee
not to b necessary In view Of the steps
toward legislation which had been taken,
were read by Mr.. c.:
WHEREAS: The welfare of our State de-
ponds upon the efficiency of our public
school system, as affording the only means
Of educating the masses Of our people and
further, the legitimate object Of that sys-
tenn being the thorough Americanizing of
all our people so a. to prevent the forma.
ton of classes or castles, or other distinct
ions based upon either religion or nation
atty; therefore
I Resolved, That we most respectfully aud
earnestly commend to the attention of our
State Legislature, the present school law of
the State, a. being in many respects 20 de-
| fective as to admit the greatest perversions
/ in its administration.
We would specially refer to these things:
l. Section 16 Of Chap. l, Title / of Gen.
Laws, opens wide door for abuse by per-
hitting instruction to be given in q foreign
language. This We claim to be far from
aiding in the work of Americanizing our
people, and ~ At present worded permits
the giving of sectarian religious instruction
during school hours.
2. When such perversion doesc.occur that
law does not provide any msthsd of redress
for the grievance.
1t was evident in moment that these
were not the resolutions that certain gen.
tlemen had been looking for--that they
were lacking in the inaammatory and denun-
ciatory parts upon which thrilling speech
es had been prepared in reply. The pre-
amble and the resolution were unanimous
ly adopted.
Item one drew out . rambling and al
most interminable discussion.
Mr.. Brewer and Mr.. Porter made re-
marks as to the meaning of the words Gin
struction in" a.foreign language, as found
in the school law-whether it meant teach
| ing that language, or giving instruction In
the ordinary school branches in that Ian
guage.
Prof. Kiehle opposed the item on &C.
count of the inde6niteness of its language
He was in favor of striking out that part
Of the section which gave permission to
give instruction in a foreign language
The people must be Americanized. Those
| who come here should learn our language
and conform to our customs. This is not
narrow or illiberal unless it be narrow
and lliberal to be American. There 10 no
Americanizinx Of any people from . for
eign country until they learn the English
language. While Superintendent Of Schools
in Fillmore county, where there vas alargs
Norwegian population. he required the
teachers to bs thoroughly oonversant with
the English language. This one hour law
made the work exceedingly difficult. In
telligent Norwegians asked that their chill
dreu should be taught pure English and BY
an English teacher.
Mr.. Campbell explained that according
to his Interpretation the law permitted that
instruction should be given IN . foreign
language-not that that language should
be taught to those who wished to learn it.
The purpose Of the resolution was to re-
lieve the present law of all ambiguity, and
lprovide distinctly that foreign Languages
should be taught in the schools.
Capt. West understood the law to mean
that American children could be taught
German or Norwegian in the public school.
and he was in favor Of it.
H. c. Wait was satisfied with the law =.
| - stoo6 ou1 <bor~h< Ito infant - ~ IN q l.
low the teaching of foreign language.
Mr. Brewer was in favor of striking on,
section 16 entire.
Capt. West wanted German taught. and
the higher branches, 20 that boys al
through the country may prepare for thu
State University.
Mr.. Wait then favored repeating the en-.
tire section.
A multitude of substitutes. amendment,
aud what not were offered, the last being
by Mr.. Campbell to 10 change section 16 a,
that it should read 'teach foreign Ian
gu'ge'' instead of give instruction in ,
foreign language"
Prof Gray spoke ~ to the distinction BE-
tween the words ~ found in the law and q.
given in the proposed amendment, and af
forwards gave strong reasons Why th>
teaching Of any foreign language in tn.
public schools should be prohibited.
Mr.. d. B. Searle was IN favor of the
amendment being 70 worded a. to allow
the teaching of all the foreign languages il
any at all were to be taught.
About this time Mr.. n. F. Barnes made