Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-07-02
CHURCH AND STATE.

ABOUT three years ago the Legisla-
ture Of Illinois enacted compulsory
education law, the main feature OF
which is that the English Language be
made tho medium Of education In all
schools, public and private, through
out the Btate. The Germans raised an
active agitation against the law, but II
still remains on the statute books. A
similar law was enacted In wisconsin
about tho same time. The Germans
there opposed II. MIR. Peck was then
publishing a "funny" Paper entitled
feol's sun, In Milwaukee. He took
up the school law, and made opposition
to II one Of the plauks Of the Demo-
cratic party platform. He was elected
Mayor Of Milwaukee, and later on
Governor Of Wisconsin, which office
he still holds.
The Democratic party, by tho aid Of
the German vote obtained control Of
the State legislature and the obnoK.
eous law was soon repealed. In fact
the Republicans were afraid 10 make
mn issue Of II, though several Demo-
cratic papers urged them 10 do 20, and
promised them active support. Notab.
ly the Chicago Herald was prepared
TO bolt its patty On tue question n the
istuc were raised.
The Germans Of Illinois are now
actively at work for the repeal Of the
law In their State. Al a Lutheran
conference held n, Freeport three or
four days ago, the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted:
Eve the German Evangelical Church,
Tor our conscience sake, demand VI 1ur
government tho absolute control u our
school anu educational gys em. There.
fore, We domnndi First, the repeal VI
the present unjust school law; second, tho
enactment OF = now aud Just compul.
sorry school law which shall declare
against the following points.
"a. That tho compulsory period Tor
parochih schools begin at any cotlain
time.
"B. Tha. tho child attend any certain
school.
&c That parochiai schools be approved
or supervised by any state official.
~ That instruction bo given In Ger.
tain branches or u certain language.
az. That State officials are empowered
to take truanis anywhere, hut to their
parents As long ~ tho parents iulnll
their lawful dutlos.
~. The infringement upon the rights
of parents In any manner.
GO. Allowing public money to be used
for private purposes.
"H. Connecting Church aud STATE In
any manrcr.
ave solemnly protest against any clas-
legislation pertaining TO our parouhial
schools. We desire Tor ourselves "a keep
this question out Of politics ~ long a.
possible. We will instruct our committee,
however, 10 watch tho evolution q tho
whole matter with duo caro- aud keep H.
posted, 80 that Wa can act intclllgcuily."
The matter has been placed in the
hands Of a special committee, aud the
members Of the church have pledged
themselves TO vote for tho candidates
ami party which comes nearest to real
iziug the spirit Of resolutions. Thu can.
didate Tor Governor on the Democratic
ticket, Judge Altselt, Is n native born
German, but a Roman Catholic In re,
liglon, and Is pronounced against the
law. The Democratic party lie as neu.
trail as 1t possibly can be on this qucs-
ton. IA would greatly oppose tho law,
but that itwould run the risk OF losing
its Irish and American support.