The Irish standard., 1894-08-04

otntlOne alone ehOmld % eumc1onts#tO 20.
give the lie 10 those who have from time
e time felt called upon u cast as-
persions upon sndsattribute base motives
to rlsh. American Catholics. Il e 9 PEE
scnliar fact in American history that citi-
zens Of Irish blood have been ca led upon
Softener and from more sources 70 defend
themselves against baseless accusations
than any other people. There appears
to be no real reason for this outside the
aggressivsness and success Of the Irish
in politics Their stand has always been
il this country on the side o. religion
and law. As an antidote to the calum-
mis- published by that consummate
flower Of bigotry, the A. p. A., which has
attacked the principles and questioned
the motives of the A. Q. H., simply be
cause it is Irish and Catholic, We call at
tention to some Of the resolutions passed
by the Wisconsin A. O. a.. The firstsres-
olution is in regard to the public school
system, which our calum niators publish
Hibernians as unalterably opposed to:
"Resolved, That we. as true and loyal
citizens of this state and nation, having
at heart t. cir greatest good and best
welfare, declare ourselves to be in no
manner hostile to the public school sys-
tenn Of this country. We believe it to be
one of the fundamental parts Of our gov
eminent, and we oppose as both illegal
and unwise any steps tsken towards a
division Of the public school fund. We
recognize the right Of each religious de-
nomination to maintain at its own cost
proper schools for the Christian educa-
ton of it's youth, but we deprecate the
bitter controversies and confusion that
would inevitably follow an attempt to
vide and parcel out the public funds
for their support"
These are the words uttered by hon.
est, sincere men in the state in which the
loyalty of Catholics to the public schools
has been most severely questioned. In
that resolution there is no room for men
tai reservation, no ground for quibbling
Their stand is plain. Yet while they
stand firm>in favor Of the public schools,
they in no manner surrogate themselves
to irrehgion. "We recognjz the right of
each religious denomination to maintain
at it's own cost proper schools for the
Christian education of it's youth" That
is the saving clause in the resolution.
Those are the words Of the Christian
parent who has at heart the religious
well-being Of his child; the parent who
is willing, after having paid for his ohild's
secular education, to submit to the extra
expense Of giving him an education in
his religion. For this laudable sacrifice
all good men will commend him. "But
W. deprecate the bitter controversies
and confusion that would inevitably fol-
low an attempt to divide and parcel out
the public funds for their support"
These are the words of the patriotic
parent, who, rather than stir up q polit-
1cal dissension, submits to extra expense.
And they will command the admiration
of every truly patriotic citizen. 1t ap-
pears conclusively, then, that the A. 0.
II. instead of being opponents of the
public schools are among it's staunch
supporters.
The A. O. a. stands for what is true,
patriotic and charitable. It is free from
the Objectionable points found in many
similar organizations, being open and
above board. Like Christianity and
Democracy, it says to it's followers i am
honest, open, free" Unlike the organi
cation that has been calumniating it, the
A. 0. Fl. does not skulk around in tie
dark and meet behind shattered windows
and bolted doors. Our country is in
need OF many more similar organiza-
tions. A power which teaches and prac-
tices religion and obedience to law is an
aid to the state in which it exists. It is
also an aid to it's own members. For
what nobler attribute is the human heart
possessed of than that which tempts one
to provide out of his own earnings for
the dependent ones of an unfortunate
comrade. If there is any word which
we would wish to sec above all others in.
scribed upon the great scroll OF human
hearts to be unfolded in the lives Of mon
it is the word unselfshness. The A O..