The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-23


ut the meeting of the State Demo-
cratic Committee he'd in Milwaukee last
week it was agreed to maintain silence up
on the Bennett law and thus reap the adj
vantage of a neutral position. There can
be no neutrality on a question of this
kind. A political party can justify its
existence only by meeting public ques-
tons openly and fairly. The party which
skulks on any question of public interest
forfeits the respect of the people. No
party can justify its existence by inactlv-
ity or secure permanent advantage by
being non-committal.
The Bennett law is only conven-
lent term to designate the question in
issue. 1t is our public school system
which is assailed. The public school has
grown in response to the demand that
every child be furnished an opportunity
to be educated. Nothing evil can
flourish On purpose SO benefcent. Any
attacks made upon it, any slurs cast up
Oil 1T SllOuIti tilc DCoplS W Slio-
tain it in no uncertain way. The attempt
TO make the democratic party tac1tly ap-
prove the acts of those who denounce the
public schools is an outrage to which
the members of that party viii not sub
NIT.
The question is now before the peo-
pie. 1t is to be settled by the next legis-
lature. What position does the demo-
cratic party propose taking? Its silence
can be construed only in one way: APP
proval Ct the course of the enemies of the
public schools, and lack of courage to be
outspoken. Can the democratic party
afford to go before the people as the adj
yocate of such policy? 1t may secure
few votes for this time only" it will
ALLEVIATE hundreds and give the party a
reputation for cowardicc, trucking and
infrmity of purpose. 1t might have been
a political mistake to fHse with the green
back party; it might have been unwise to
court the support of the labor party; but
it is criminal to bid for the support of
the enemies of the public school.
If it be done let 1t be done openly. Do
not aggravate the crime with the leaven
of hypocrisy. If the principle of the Ben
nett law is not sound it should pe open
ly discarded. Why finch from an honest
expression Of judgment? If the princi-
pie is good let us sustain it. No party
deserves to make friends which does not
stand ready to make enemies in defense
of the right. What is the position of the
democratic party on this question which
is clamorous for instant and final decis-
ion? Are We SO lacking in assertive quail
ity that we shall willingly bear the label
mo opinion" Oh matter which is dis
cussed in every school district? The poll
teal agnostic is a political eunuch.
When the Bennett law was first assail-
ed in manner which clearly showed d
hostile purpose TO the public school and
to an English education, it was the duty
of every one to sustain the principle up
on which it was based. But unfortunate
ly many democrats thought an unimpor-
tant secession from the republican ranks
meant certain victory and at once sur
rendered to the deserters. They were
allowed to FIX the policy of the demo-
cratic party in so far as certain demo-
cratic papers and politicians could CON-
NIT the party. The deserters finding
they were permitted to be dictators be-
came more exacting in their demands and
they were encouraged by increasing sub
serviency on the part of those to whom
they came as suppliants. Indeed politi-
elan. an Office holder under Cleveland a
candidate for governor out-Heroded
Herod and "made Ossa seem a wart" by
publicly proclaimiEg that no instruction
is needed III English in this country,
that the parochial schools are better than
the public schools, and that the latter
are responsible for tue loafers on the
street. It was deemed undemocratic to
combat these views. In process of evo-
luton it was deemed democratic to sub
scribe to them. The new allies were to
be made feel at home and people who all
their lives had voted the republican tic
ket became the artifcers of democratic
belief. 4 few DEMOCRATIC papers re-
fused to be included in the terms of the
unconditional surrender. Will their
protestation be heeded:
There Is just one way Fer the demo-
cratic party to regain its prestige a.
must refuse to be bound by the utter
ances of many of its organs and q few
OF its public men. To-day it is in atti-
tude of opposition to popular education
by the public schools. 1t does not fair
ly represent the party. There is a spirit
of intense feeling whiahscannot be quoted
0y silence. There must be some utter
arce il the platform which viii place the
party IN no cqaivoeal position, and that
utterance must be in favor OF the school
IT the country cross roads