The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-02-20
)NE thing in connection with the dis

ONE tnlng III connection with the DIS
cussion OF the Bennett law is peculiar and
that is that those papers most intent up
on sustaining the principle OF the law
are published in localities in which the
German element largely predominates.
Not only this, the subscription list of
these papers is made up largely OF Ger
mans and the papers seem to rely upon
the Germans to sustain the Law. The
Pilot and The Chronicle are published in
a county in which the Germans are equal
in numbers to all other nationalities.
Very nearly one half the subscribersAto
the former are Germans, and over one
half OF the subscription list of the latter
are Germaps. The Chiffon Times is pub
lished III a county in which the German
element is strong. The same thing is
true Of the Appleton Crescent and the
kaukauna Sun. These papers are demo-
cratic but all have indicated clearly what
their position is with reference to this
law. The ManitowOc Tribune an indie
pendent republican paper, leaves no
doubt as to its position. he Milwau-
kee Sentinel published in the German
Athens of America aud circulating large
ly In that section of the state which is
manly German, IS SO outspoken as to
leave nothing to inference. All these pa
pers may with good warrant speak for
the Germans, as their patronage largely
comes from that class. There, is not a
paper mentioned that would not fight
the good fight for principle, no matter by
whom opposed. But in the present in
stance they are sustained by intelligent
public sentiment.
An editor of an English paper in this
state which is loved in its protestaticns
of devotion to the Germans and which
assumes that all Germans are opposed
to the Bennett law and for this reason
comes out In opposition to the law itself,
lately stated in conversation when he
thought he was not overheard, that st
was hard TO have to stand up for the Dutch
but it was policy for the paper to do So"
1t is such men as this one quoted who
seek to arouse national prejudice on
simple question of education, solely for
the advantage which might result to
them. There are some Germans who be-
ileve the law is designed to ultimately
prevent the teaching of German. There
are many supporters of parochial schools
who believe the law is blow aimed at
their schools. Though both are mistaken
their belief justifes their opposition.
All others who oppose the law are dem.
agogues. They fancy there is an upris-
ing among the Germans in opposition to
the law and they are anxious to obtain a
prominent place on the loaded wagon 1t
is Polonius seeing camel or a whale in
the cloud just as the prince may direct.
But Polonius' heart does not go with his
words and Hamlet is not deceived.
What time-servers many of the papers
Of Wisconsin are. And how they mis-
take the temper Of the people IN being SO.
l. hCiC 40 NO OGicl paper III Tic Sidle Eaf-
ing one-teDth the circulation among the
Irish people that The Catholic Citizen
has and yet there is no other paper in the
state which lashes them SO mercilessly
for their faults. 1t does not lose by it.
The Germans never yet slaughtered a
man for criticising them when they de-
served it. And the Germans by no means
feel grateful to those seif-appointed
champions who try to make it appear
that the entire nationality is arrayed
against the public schools, no matter
how honied the words or how; obsequious
the demeanor of those anxious to raise
the issue and seeking an alliance with
what they think the stronger side. 1t is
those who oppose the public school and
the education which the public school
should give, against swhom the war is
waged and they are not known by any
distinctive national term. This is the
issue and on this the battle must be
fought.