The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-07-19

JI. SATURDAY, Jul
Do not say that the state schoe
teaches morals. Christians demand re
HGion. Morals without the posltiv
4 principles of religion, giving Il
| them root and sap. do not exist
4 (Applause., What seem to be morals
Il without religion are the blossomlng o.
1 fortunate and kindly disposed natures
or habits fashioned upon Christian
Traditions that grow weaker as the ira
/ ditaons become remote.
I 70 the American people at large,-re.
Itigieus- minded and God fearing az
know. them to bel put the question:
Ought we not to have in connection
With she school religious instruction.
Thatthere are serious difficulties in the
way, I confess. But are We to stop at
difficulties when it, incumbent upon us
To reach the goa'p I do not mistrust
tthe reply. secu'arists and unbelievers
will interpose their rights. / allow
them their rights. I will not impose
upon them my religion which is Chris
tianitY.- But let them not impose upon
me and nv fellow Christians aud their
religion, which is secularism. Secular
ism is: a religion OF its kind, and usually
very loud spoken and intollerant rell-
glon, (Applause) And when non
sectariasm is intended, the secularist
sect must not claim for itself the field
which it refuses to otherss 1 amtaking
my stand upon our common American
citizenship. The liberty claim, that l
grant. lApplause)
leone to the chief difficulty in the
premises, The American people at
largesare Christians; but they are divi-
ded among themselves. Yes. they are
dlvided. Not to speak Of. other differ
ences, there is z radical and vital one
between Professionalism of all forms and
Catholicism. I am not arguing. I am
relating facts. Well-meaning and we'll.
deserving men have proposed as a
remedy in this instance, that there be
taught III connection with the schools
common Christianity. This will not Go.
Catholics in fidelity to their principles
cannot accept a common Christianity.
What comes to them not bearing on it's
face the stamp Spf Catholicity,, is Pro-
ftestant in form and in implication, even
If 1t be Catholic In substance. This
being the settled fact, a mefioan Cath
olics will not. Of course, inflict Catholic
ism upon non Catholic or Protestant
children. (Applause.) Some COM
promise becomes necessary. Is 1T not
ten thousand times better that we make
the compromise rather than allow
secularism to triumph and own the
country?
I turn to all Ameficans-secularist
as we'll as Christian believers--and I
address them in the name of American
citizenship. We are practical people.
and when we !. ind facts before us,
whether we like or dislike them, we
deal them with an eye to the general
good. Dissatisfaction will exist with
the state school because OF it's exclusion
of religion. The dissatisfaction will
exist so long as no change is made. 1t
is founded on conscience.
Is not the fact of this dissatisfaction
sufficient that Americans set to work
earnestly and with good will to re-
move it's cause2 The welfare OF the
country demands peace ana harmony
among citizens. Let us put an end to
the constant murmuring and bitter
denominations with which our school
war fills the air. Siuca we are proud Of
our state school and prize its advantages
let us make an effort that all the Chill
dren of the people enjoy these advan-
tages. IF there be a public institution,
as the state school, supported by all the
people, avOwedly for the benefit Of all
the people, let it be such that all may
use it. Be there no taxation without
representative 4A VAV OAJVyAAOAN "a OAA0
benefits thereof. Let us most studiously
avoid raising barriers to the use Of
those benefits, and. in most especial
manner, those barriers that the oppO-
sition to them comes IN the name Of
conscience.
AN APPEAL FOR JUSTICE.
Invoke the spirit Of American Lib
ertY and American institutions. Our
views. perhaps, differ diametrieally
from those of others of our fellow
citizens; we may deem their views ut
terly wrong. STILL is not the duty Of
Americans that Of peace and conces-
sion. so that others as undisturbed in
their conscience as we are in ours?
Does 1t matter that we happen to be in
the majority? Brute numerical force
may be legal; it is not Justice, 1t is not
the spirit Of America. Minorities have
rights, and as speedily as it is possible
~, fho v,r1,lio xr,oa1 o1,o,11d kho m inr