Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1892-05-20

oceu very SucceSS1ul, us one OF our va
cant school houses will testify. There
has been no school in it for nearly II
year, because Mr.. Larson has so nicely
succeeded i'll influencing the school
board in such a way that they have
been 10th to hire a teacher, but favor
having the scholars go to the Norwc
gian school, and it is now time that this
matter was taken in hand and all de-
linquents vigorously punished. For
whosoever chooses to be the dupes of
Mr.. Larson, must and ought to suffer
the consequences. These grand laws
of our state were made to be enforced.
not to be trlfied with by selfish clergy.
The parents of those non. attendant
children arc not so much to be blamed,
for they are ''in the charge" of Mr.. Lar
SON. That is to say, they dare not act
thiLk or believe anything, without the
consent of this reverend. Mr.. Larson
will say to them like this: s'It is no
necessity for you to send your children
to English schools, but we must give
them a good christian education" That
lis to say, ~ Lutheran education. This
means proselytes to the church, and
consequently better support. These in
dividuals labor not so much for the
souls salvation of their race, us for
their own bodily comforts.
1 M onr, cl,n,}l {:,,.l r,..lA
present public school system in this
country. 1t is the grandest, and the
most perfect founded by any govern
mcnt. and the best ever devised by men
-untrammelled by creed it seeks equali-
ty to all. 1t educatcs us how to live in.
tclligently here OH earth-not embicile
mendicants for heaycn. Say what they
will, right secular education is the
basis of civilization, arts and sciences.
[ know what this so called "Luthcran
christian SCHOOL, is, and its benefits.
look back with much regret to time
worse than wasted, that spent in this
school-stndying the catechism article
creed, and the rules of the Lutheran
church. But it is ever with the kindest
of remembrance that l think of the
old school house, where first received
my Eaglish education, though but a
smattering. 1t has done me incalcula.
BILE more good then if had imbibed all
the dogmas Of the Lutheran church.
No one would deny those who choose
the perfect right to educate theil
children in the Norwegian school, bn,
let them do SO without the expense and
binderance to our public schools. Yet
pity those unfortunate children who
pass to maturity to struggle with the
millions, for existence in this cold and
uncharitable world without an English
education. Again 1 say pity them.
1t is unfortunate for Mr.. Larson tina,
he was born in this intellectual age o1
the world. Had he fourished during
the dark ages, he could have exercised
his power, bigotry and his intolerance
to better advantage. People are nc
longer content to be governed by force
With the masses, interlectual freedom
and reason must have perfect sway
each to think for himself and he GOV
erned only by what seems plausible
Mr. Larson believes that "might makes
right" Had he lived during the pcriot
OF the Spanish Inquisition he woult
hare made a good inquisitor genera
beside of Torquemada. He believe.
that the "church laws" is superior te
our civil law and should be so regard
ed. 1t may be had he the power to day
we would again have the Rock, tn
Pincers and the thumbscrews in use
He believes in the marrow path" ,
narrow creed, and therefore marrow
mind. He seeks to repudiate science
places astronomy beside astrology ant
says some day geology will turn out I.
be no science at ALL" Think of such :
man rs Il public educator. But he has
no use for infidelity for he is true
christian. Hear what he says II shall
work against your paper and strive to
get it out of every household in my
charge" Compare this with the pre-
cepts Of Christ who says: Love your
enemies, 4" return gocd for evil" etc.
Mr.. Editor have no fear that the threats
and strifes of Mr. Larson will be any in
jury or loss to yourself or paper. l
will vouch for that the households over
which Mr.. Larson presides OF has the
'charge," English newspapers are
scarce as hens teeth. First, because the
majority of them cannot read the Eng
lish language, and second, the press is
secular education and would not be
tolerated.
And at the last should the Rev. T. H.
Larson chance TO read this article,
hope his angry passion will not again
rise, but let hin, rehearse the 100 Psalm
of David and be content.
H. O. SYvERTsoN.
LEE, N. D., May 10th, 1899.