The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-08-28

w L are IdSI approaching tAe tIule "Heu
the people of this state suppose they are
going to decide the school question by
popular vote There never was greater
delusion. There is really no principle at
issue. People have gone mad and do not
know what they are about. The cam
paign began too early. Men imagined
they differed in principles; they thought
conflict between church and state had
been precipitated by the passage and
discussion of law too weak to enforce
itself. This erroneous conception OF the
nature of the conflict led to the express
sion of extreme views on both sides. Fa-
natics revived and emphasized exploded
theories, and found some earnest advo-
Gates of modern notions unnecessarily
alarmed at the resurrection OF idea
long buried in oblivion. The discussion
grew personal and acrimonious, so that
people are at present IN such per-
turbed state of mind that calm consider
alton is out of the question. The dema-
gogue has come to the front and, with his
convictions voluntarily stifed, he pro-
poses to profit by the confusion. Abiding
issues rpening for years are cast aside
and deluded people are absolutely
blinded by the fenatic efforts of the poll
tician who has espoused an empty cause
for the temporary gain it may bring.
There is no religious or political organ
ization in Wisconsin that opposes the
right of the state to maintain public
schools or. enforce the principle OF COM
pulsory education. There is no coterie
of any society, nationality, or sect that
is insane enough to urge the humiliation
of private or parochial schools. An oc-
casional fanatic has expressed himself IN
accord with these revolutionary views,
but that he should have gained such a
hearing and been allowed to produce
such mischief is a severe commentary on
the political parties of our common
wealth.
Obliterate the Bennett law from our
statute book tomorrow, and the cause
of public education will not suffer
single pang. Wipe it out by the cleo
ton of Peck and whole legislature of
men of his stamp, and you will have
raised no barriers around parochlal
schools The fate of neither institution
is hanging in the balance. The public
school system is here to stay. To say 1t
is the palladium of our liberties is not to
indulge in an empty rhetorical flourish.
The nurture of two centuries on free
soil has given it a life and stability that
the resolutions of no ecclesiastical council
can destroy. The parochial school has
another and supplementary function to
perform, and intelligent, conservative peo-
pie appreciate its value and rejoice In its
advancement side by side with the public
school, when it performs a progressive
part in the cause of secular education.
Better then for both parties to this heat
ed conflict to abandon their extreme posi-
tions, quit the insensate cry and lend their
energies in the direction of reconcillng
the two classes of schools, keeping them
distinct yet working tremendously to ac-
complish the complete education of the
future citizen.
Such are the convictions of one who
has peen and is yet a supporter of the
Bennett law. He never could SEQ the
sense of the opposition to the measure,
and in his calmer moments has never
feared that the public school in which he
has SO long and earnestly worked would
be in any way imperiled by the triumph
of any party. The democratic party is
about to commit an act of supreme folly
In demanding the repeal OF the Bennett
law, but it will hud that law boomerang,
and long after the hypocritical leaders
have been retired and left to their re-
morse, the public school viii continue to
increase in It's influence The election
Of Hoard means fresh impetus to the
cause OF educatioa; the success OF the
Peck crowd can result in 20 disaster but
to themselves. Let as who have neither
been politicians nor amoa, those driven
to say harsh things daring this conflict
abide the result OF tn. controversy and
fear nc harm 10 what We 50 dearly
prize
TEE notato croD is again LARGELY a fail