Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-10-15

is true of the mothers of many who hear
me here tonight, had placed before her
the alternative that her boys should
instruction in nth the e'''0s schools, ''u she
would have taken the former with
her hands upon my head, trusting
to the rough school of life to give me the
instruction which the secular school would
not afford. The Republican party, recog-
nizing the private and parochial schools,
state the common school cheersl; but
recognizing the private and parOchial
schools as legitimate and important auXll-
iaries in the work of popular education de-
clares, what? eve recognize as valuable
auxlliaries in the work of popular educa-
diSclalm absolutely any purpose whatever
to interfere in any manner with such
schools, either as to the terms of govern
ment or the branches to be taught there
H." That is the voice of the Republican
party; and those men who are parading
this state charging that the Republican
party is willing TO invade the private and
parochial schools, and to dictate to them
what they shall teach or how they shall
teach it, are not only either themselves
misled, or they are wilfully attempting to
mislead the people. [Cheers.l [ do not
stop to argue the question whether the
Bennett law as it is upon the statute book
schools or not. [ know this, that the Re-
publican party which speaks in plain Ian
guage and never lies Ga voice ''GoOd,")
has said that it will not interfere with
them in any manner whatever as to terms,
government, or the branches to be taught,
pledge to reform the law when the next
Legislature meets, if it is in the majority,
as it will be [cheers Ito reform that law
so that it shall clearly conform to the
principles here declared.
And now you may be able to see how an
intelligent man, who is honest, can read
that platform, and then sincerely and
honestly say that the Republican party is
in favor of trampling on the private,
parochial schools cannot.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
What is next in the platform on this sub
Ject-the next thing to which [ desire to
call your attention is that the platform de-
clareS for compulsory education. Well
there does not seem to be very much issue
about compulsory education. The Repub-
lican party declares for it, the Democratic
party declares for it, under law which is
repealed which they forgot to pledge
themselves TO reenact Laughter and
cheers. Our Lutheran friends in their
convention declared in favcr Of cOmpul-
sorry education. The Catholics in their
convention declared IN favor of compul-
sorry education. There seems to be no is
sue among us on the subject of compulsory
education. The only person l have heard
OF who bitterly opposed it, was this educa-
[Cheers and laughter. A gentleman the
other day sent me little book, and if you
Will permit | want to read word from
1t on the subject of compulsory educa-
ton: s'Where there are towns and
villages which have the ability, your
electoral grace has the, power to
To into 1,,;tc
and parishes. If they will not do it from
consideration for their salvation, then your
electoral grace, as highest guardian for
the youths and all others needing super
vision, is to compel them to do SO just as
they are compelled to render contributions
and services towards bridges, paths, roads
or other improvements pertaining to pub
lie interests. Those who enjoy the privi-
leges of the country are to contribute to-
wards ever thing that the common inter-
ests of the country require. Now there is
nothing more necessary than to educate
men who are to succeed us ana govern. l
maintain that the civil authorities are
under obligation to compel the people to
send their children 10 school, espec-
Tally such as are promising, as
has elsewhere been said, for our
rulers are certainly bound to main.
tain the spiritual and secular faith
and calling so that there may al
ways be preachers, jurists, pastors,
scribeS, physicians, SchOolmasterS, and
the like, for these cannot be dispensed
with, ii the government can compel such
citizens as are fit for military service to
use the spear and rifle, and mount ramp
arts ia time of war;" This sounds like
prophecy as it comes ringing down the
centuries-''hOW much more has it right
dren to school, because in this case we are
to compel people to send their chill
warning with the devil, whose object is
simply to exhaust our cities and principal
tiles of their strong men, and destroy the
kernel and leave shell of ignorant and
helpless people whom he can sport and
juggle with at pleaSure-that is starving
out city or destroying it without strug-
gle and without its knowledge" / put
Martin Luther against Mr.. Mills. [Great
cheers. How much did it leave of Mills
on the education question?
NO INTERFERENCE WITH PARENTAL
RIGHTS.
Now ladies and gentlemen, not proceed
ing in the order of the platform, | have
said all l want to say about this charge
that the Republican party will interfere
with parochial schools, and / want to refer
for moment to another clause of this
platform. It is said that the Bennett law
interferes with the right Of the father Or
guardian to choose the place of the school
to which he will send his child. [ do not
discuss the question Of instruction. | do
not neoQ TO. CLAIM the right to send my
boy to the school where think best, and
accord that right to every other living man
great applause], and SO does the Repub-
lican party in its platform. [Cheers. Let
me read it: 'We assert" not we admit,
''We assert that the parent or guardian has
a right to select the time OF year and the
place, whether public or private, and
wherever located, where his child or ward
shall receive instruction. We pledge our
selves to modify the existing law so that it
shall conform to the foregoing declara-
ton" [Cheers.l So when you hear a
Democrat or anybody else telling the peo-
pie that the Republican party is asking
continuance of their confidence upon
platform which denies to the father or
guardian the right to choose the place
where he will send his boy to school you
tell him that he [laughterl is terribly eco
nomical of the truth laughter to say the
least of it.
CHILD LABOR.
What is the next +? Your proposition in the
platform against child laDor-I believe the
Democrats in their platform declare their
of the prohibition of child labor.
do not see how they can consistently do
It, but Will attempt to show in moment.
if you have patience to listen to me few
longer, that the Republican party