The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-04-19

the northern Pacific, let US wish him
many years Of prosperity and happiness.
ANENT THE BENNETT Law.
The Bennett law is causing great
deal of ANNOYANCE in Wisconsin, and
talk in the other states OF the Union.
THE IRISH STANDARD has given con
siderable space to this subject, and
though sneered at by few anti, Cath
olic productions whose mission is 10
breed strife and draw lines between
members of the different hationalities,
it has not backed down one inch on this
question. and neither will it. 1t has
taken the position that the law is nn
lust because it aims at the destruction
of the parochial schools. The state
does not contribute one cent to the
maintenance of these schools, and there
tore has no right to interfere in their
manage ment whatever. We believe
that the English language should be
taught in all schools, but that the state
has the power to enforce it's being
taught III private schools, We deny.
The people Of Wisconsin know-if they
do not thew will very soon-that sub
stantial knowledge Of the English
language is necessary to be reasonably
scccessful in this country, and will
therefore if they wish to become repre-
sentative citizens Of this country of
their adoption, acquire that knowledge
which is most essential to this end. The
North, which is ALWAYS ready to oppose
any measure proposed OF championed
by the Catholics of this country, stands
by the Bennett law as matter of
course. 1t says it believes in the prin-
ciples of the law, and therefore adYo-
Gates them. 1t also SAYS that it has al
ways treated the Catholics with FAIR
ness and consideration. The North
has evidently a queer conception of
fairness in discussing the Bennett law.
as also in it's treatment of the Catholics
on other questions, notably the Irish
question. We will content ourselves in
quoting briefly from the st. Paul Globe
what that representative daily has to
say on this law, which the North saws
lis based ON principles of public i'm
port" But the boldest form of despet-
ism manifested IN the Bennett law is
it's covert design to stamp out the
parochial schools which the Catholics
and the Lutherans maintain, 1t is we'll
known that these parochial schools are
founded and supported by their patti 0ns,
because they desire to have their chill
sdren receive religious instruction
which cannot be obtained IN the public
schools. 1t is matter of conscience
with them, and they cheerfully submit
to the payment of a double tax in order
that they NAV have the opportunity to
exercise their religious belief !.
Religious freedom according to an
American Interpretation means the full
and unrestricted exercise of conscience
in matter pertaining to the education of
children; therefore, religious instruc-
ton can have no place in the public
school system. And by parity Of rea-
s0ning the state has no right to inter-
fere with the method of instruction in
schools not supported at state expense.
The most that the state can do is to put
the public school in competition with
the paroch;al school, and leave it to the
- go paN
he will patronize. The parochlal school
is as much protected by the constitu
tfon, as is the public school, and he
who aims to strike it down is an enemy
to his country. Therefore we hold that
the Bennett law is the worst form of
seditious legislation. 1t is reasonable
IN It's aims, unpatriotic in its spirit and
despotic in its operations