The record-union., 1895-03-27
THE WAR CLOUD IN MANITOBA.

There is an issue between the Manito-
ban and the Dominion Governments that
may breed rebellion and bring on a con-
flict that may be long, is sure to be
bloody, if once entered upon.
Recently the Manitobans repealed the
law that gave Catholics a portion of the
common school funds for the mainte-
nance of separate or church schools. The
structed the Manitoban Legislature to
restore the old order of things, and this
mandate the people of Manitoba refuse to
obey. The Ottawa Government will thus
be compelled, il it adheres to its edict, to
establish authority over the Manitobans
TO collect and distribute the school taxes
as directed by the decree: this action will
be resisted, and that means war.
There is no way out OF it, except for
one or the other parties to yield. It is
improbable that the people will do so.
They occupy the defensive attitude, and
the Ottawa Government will be placed in
the unpleasant predicament of seizing
the property OF Canadian citizens and, if
resisted, OF shooting them down. Posi-
bly, the escape way might be found in
the acceptance of the taxes OF Catholic
rate-payers, and the use of that fund for
the maintenance Of Catholic schools. But
that viii not be sufficient. There is an
income and o general fund that is af-
fected, and here comes the pinch.
That the difficulty will be avoided is of
course the hope of all lovers of their
kind. But if il is not, the Canadian au-
thoritIes will have on hand contract that
will prove one of the most dangerous and
disagreeable ever taken up by any Gov
ernment. By sheer force of arms the
people may be subdued; but that they
can be conquered is absurd. The result
viii be the paralyzing of industry, the
tying up Of commerce, the embittering of
religious prejudicss, the sharper division
OF the people on religious lines-which
always results in woe and misery in case
Of con1lict-the augmsnting of crime, the
inauguration of an era of lawIessness.
assassination and bushwacking, and all
the other ills that flow in the current OF
civil war promoted by religious intoler-
ance and demand for recognition of the
church in state policy on the one hand,
and hatred of any and all union of church
and state on the other.
The outcome may be the independence
Of Manitoba. Some look forward to q
possible session of the territory and its
absorption by the United States; but this
we think wholly improbable, as it is
wholly undesirable. But the former, in
dependence, is not by any means impossi-
bic. 1t may be that after short struggle
the Dominion may prefer to get out OF
the difficulty by letting the Manitobans
go.
In 1888 the Provincial Legislature of
Manitoba abrogated the existing law le-
gahzing separate schools. Under the new
law Government assistance and grants
OF money and certificates can be given
only 10 what are there termed national
schools. All teachers must pass examina-
ton before the State authorities, and re-
ceive from them their certificates, and all
schools must be inspected by the Gov
ernment boards annually, or oftener if it
chooses.
The Catholics appealed from the enact
nIent of this new law and local courts
held it to be constitutional They
then carried the appeal to the Supreme
Court, which reversed the decision of the
Manitcbau courts and declared the new
law unconstitutional and void. The
Manitoba Provincial Government then
carried the case to the Privy Council,
which decided in favor of Manitoba. The
matter then went to the Dominion Par
lament and the Cabinet, and the out
come sthe decree directing that the old
order of things be restored. This the
Manitobaus declare shall not be, and the
next movement must come from the Do
minion Government. If that is coercive,
1t is certain to be resisted, and then
comes rebellion and war.
Manitoba lies upon our border. Its
people have tha warm svnonath;as of the