New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-01-16
Church and State.

1 y
threatens an alteration Of the Consti-
tuition Of the U. S. directly in opposition
to the aims and wise wishes of the foun-
ders Of this great republic.
The Blair Bill provides for an amend
ment which shall force each state of the
Union to an establishment of system
of free public schools adequate for the
education of all the children living
therein, between the ages of six and six
teen years inclusive, in the common
branches of knowledge, and in virtue,
morality and the principles of the
Christian religion. This in the main is
the scope of the amendment, laudable
in all respects, save in the last instance,
referring to the teaching Of ..Christian
religion. For holding this one clause
the bill is to be attacked and deserves
an amendment which shall expunge the
former.
The Constitution provides total sep
aration between the state and religion,
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provides therefore not for instruction
in religious subjects, and gives conse-
quently equal rights to all sects, to all
denominations. Apparently then the
Constitution of the U. S. was drafted by
free men for free people, the laws re-
corded were broad in their meaning,
granting exercitations of the free will
OF the people as long as their actions
were moral. The dark days of the
Spanish Inquisition were apparently
remembered in the glorious indepen.
dence days Of our republic as a nearly
extinguisbed shadow of never to be
revived past, and the pen that wrote
the words of the Constitution wrote in
better cause than did the quill of the
yelled inperator centuries ago. In the
founding of the Constitution our fore
fathers manifested a spirit of indomi-
table independence, perpetuated them
selves as liberal freemen, and as re-
rult of their counsels the U. S. of Amer
lea have prospered most gloriouslv.
And now in this enlightened period of
our history there rises man. narrow
minded and prejudiced, who asks our
counselors at the nations capitol to
amend that Constitution in such man
ner as shall stamp il more unjust than
q iot foc Of obo
If the Blair Bill becomes law that
broad distinction which has hitherto
stood between State and Church is null
lifted. The bill, if made law, would
necessarily create religious strife, for
Protestant as well as Catholic would
claim prior distinction in advocating
the Christian religion, the religion of
Christ. It would necessitate high coun-
Gil to determine who was right, it would
give into the hands Of one, the power
to control all. And as a consequence
rule of tyranny would be established.
For the sake of our country, for the
sake of not only religious freedom but
OF liberty in all respects, the Blair Bill
must be condemned to pronounced
defeat. And the originator Of the bill
deserves political death hereafter.
The Legislature, which has been in
session for over a week, so far has
transacted very little business of impor-
lance and probably will not until the
senatorial question is settled. OF the
bills presented only two are of a more
important character, the Australian
election bill, introduced by Representa-
tive Keys, of Winona, and the corpora
ton fee bill, presented by Representa-
tive H. F. Stevens, of Ramsey. The
first mentioned bill is of great impor.
lance and will undoubtedly receive a
close investigation at the hands of our
law makers.
The system, which is practiced in
different localities, is simple one and
preventive of fraud, yet necessitates
certain steps at elections which may in
convenience at smaller polls. We
shall discuss the matter at later date.
Following the example Of other ma
lions, the United States has turned its
atte ntion to the construction of torpedo
boats. At Erstol, &. l., one is being
built from which the government hopes
much in the event Of military emergen-
cies. 1t will be 1873 feet long and with
a draft of less than four feet. A speed
of % knots an hour is expected. The
armament will consist Of what are
called ''eight automobile tubes,'' be-
sides two six pound guns. No one can
doubt that this class of vessels is bound
to take a prominent part in future naval
operations in time of war. The govern
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