Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-12-04

OOVornOr Hoard writes the following
letter to ex-member of assembly Hon.
John Luchsinger, of Monroe county,
and we print it that the governors
position may be the better understood
on the subject of the Bennett law:
MADISON, Nov. IL, 18S9-My Dear Mr..
Latchsioger: [ am not seeking to make
the Bennett law an issue in the next
campaign. If it becomes the issue it
will be through the opponents of the
law, portion of them, by manifesto,
having already declared their hostility
to any one who favored the measure.
| have, | believe, as friendly a feeling
towards our GermanAm merican popula-
ton as any man in this country; and if
| did not believe that the Bennett law
would assist in the advancement of
their youth, [ would certainly oppose
It's continuance on the statute books I
want the little German boy and girl >.
the little Norwegian, the little Bohe--
mian and little Pole, the children of all
foreign parents, to have the same
chance in life as my children Without
a knowledge of the English language
they cannot have this chance. This is
a very plain proposition, with which [
know you will agree, plead for these
children of foreign born parents for
the reason that | personally know
! many who were born in this country
who are handicapped by ignorance Of
the language of the country. Should
not something be done to give these
bright young peop le an opportunity to
rise according to the ability God has
given them? Advancement in life for
them is out of the question without a.
knowledge of the language of the coun-
try.
l am confident that when the Luth-
eran people come to look at the Ben
nett law in it's right light and study it's,
provisions, they will fail to see in it
any menace to their rights or tenets.
1t seeks to interfere with no religion.
1t simply requires that for certain
number of weeks in each year children
must attend some school where a GER
tain amount of English instruction is
given. 1t does not seek to abolish the
parochial school, or interfere with the
teaching of German.
Let the opponents of the Bennett
law take case that recently came nm
der my observation. A short time
since, Hon. r. M. LaFollette caused a
competitive examination to be held for
a cadet at West Point. A number of
candidates entered for the place, some
of whom had graduated at the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin. An impartial COM
mittee awarded the prize, after severe
and critical examination, to German
lad in Grant county, whose education
had been obtained in the common
schools, if am not mistaken. The boy
had an equal chance with the Ameri-
can boy, and he won. No one rejoices
more at his success than his American
friends. If he had boun deprived of
the English language, this opportunity
would have been lost to him.
cannot believe that it would be do
ing justice to the little boy Of the pres
ent, born Of foreign parents, to deprive
him of all opportunities to become the
peer of the native born boy, by post
poning this question for score of years;
nor can / believe his father or mother
will think SO when they come to know
just what the Bennett law means. Of
course they love their children, and
they cannot wish to keep them down as
underlings by the side of the Yankee
boy. knowledge is power" Know
ledge of the English language will give
the German boy and girl the power of
equality that nothing else will. 1t can
not be that any German father or moth
er can oppose a law which is enacted
the sake bn01f
I would not ask the good old German
| to abandon the use of the language of
| the fatherland, or to cease to look upon
| that language as the best in use. I
| would only ask him one question:: "Do.
you want your sons and daughters to
have the same opportunities for ad-
vancement as the Yankee boy and
girl?" If he will reflect for a moment,
and consider his responsibility for his
children's existence in this country, he
will answer eyes" [ do not believe
that the German parent loves his child
less than the native born loves his.
Assuring you that the Bennett law
will not be made a campaign issue, un--
less it be by those who are opposed to
giving the children of foreign born par
ents fair show, remain sincerely
your friend, WILLIAM d. HOARD
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The SentinePs Washington corre
spondent, under date of Nov. 27, has
this to say of Congressman Barwig:
Representative Barwig, of the Second
district, accompanied by his wife, ar