The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-05-28
German Catholic Societies of Wisconsin.

MILWAUKEE, May 27-In the convention of
German Catholic societies this morning several
speeches were made. Il. j. Spaanhorst, of St.
Louis, said the Bennett law presented politi-
cal question and Catholics could not ignore it.
because it directly affected the welfare of their
institutions.
Bishop Flasch in his address referred to the
Bennett law and upheld the right of the church
to go into politics when its interests were at
tackled. He was followed by Bishop Ilatzer. OF
Green Bay, who attacked the Bennett law in
the bitterest manner. He said the law practi
cally denied the right Of the child to obey its
parents by putting it's claims before those of
the par ents. Friends OF the law he said
tell US the child has rights which the state
must see are accorded it, but parents have
more interest in the child than the state The
governor and his little German boy will be
well taken care of by their parents if the state
Will let them alone"
As the bishop proceeded he warmed to his
SUBJECT and fairly brought his hearers to their
feet by the Intensity OF his manner He bec1me
angry. pathetic and sarcastic by turns. sThefr
manner of teaching English, they tell us is what
We are lighting" he exclaimed 'but this is not
So English Is low taught in our schools but if
the state has right TO tell US we must teach
English it will soon be telling US what we shall
eat and what shall be on ths table for the farniy
dinnsr They are all of class, these laws
lilIlOlS
Massachusetts They attempt to interfere
with personal and parental rights Carried ont
to their logical conclusion, they would be
very dangerous to the church and society This
Bennett law, the shop continued, was con-
ceiVed in the minds OF free thin kers and those
opposed to the Catholic church and ner schools :;
He was told recently, he said, by a Mason that
the Bennett law was first suggested by the
Masons. THE man said I could prove il to
you Ii / did not put 50 high q value on nv head
that the Bennett law was first alitated in the
grand lodge of Masols in the state of Wiscon-
sin. ,"
The applause which followed this staten, ont
was deafening. and the bishop had to stand
fully half q minute before he could continue In
closing, he urged his hearers TO oppose all
me assures like the Bennett Law to the best Of
their ability and stand firmly by the church
AT the afternoon session the following resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted:
In view OF the attacks upon the most sacred
rights of parents which have recently been
begun by nativists and adherents of paternal-
ism, we are compelled to present to the people
of this state the following declaration:
''1-By divine and national law parents are en-
titled and in duty bound to provide for the edu-
cation of their children. Therefore we claim for
parents the right to select such schools for the
education of their children which, they are CON
children
"2In case parents neglect this duty the
state IS justified in compelling them by appro-
pirate Legislation to discharge their duty. The
state may also, when parents are unable to pro-
vide for the education of their children, assume
this duty. From this results: A-Justifcation
OF compulsory school attendance under the
above mentioned condit ons. B-The neces-
Sity for public schools. C.-The right OF gen
eral taxat on for their support
I've declare that we make no claim upon
the pubic schools for support of paJochial and
other private schools. As citizens and tax
payers we insist on our rights, even at the risk
of being decided enemies of the public schools
to protest against any misuse and waste of this
fund.
"4-As We make no claim on the support of
the state for our parochial and private Schools.
we deny the states right to exercise any con-
troll over our schools We only then grant 1t
the right OF interference with the management
of private schools if these collide with public
order or the law of morals.
''5-BecauSe the So-called Bennett law yio-
lates the above mentioned principles and I'M
necessarily and unjustly curtails our religious
liberty, we hereby declare ourselves for uncon-
ditional repeal of the law. Whatever good
there Is contained in this law has been long ago
offered by other laws, and therefore we cannot
recognize from it any other intention but this :
To compel citizens who pi ovide for the educa-
ton of their children to ADOPT the methods of
those who hate their religion and nationality
'6-We, therefore, also declare that without
regard to former party connections we will only
vote for such candidates VINO pledge themselves
to work for the repeal OF said law