The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-28
TUPpER DOWN.
Canadian Cabinet Looks as
Though it We're to Fall.
Manitoba's Reply Couched In Vigorous
and No Uncertain Language.


There are two causes for this want OF har-
mony. One is the recent passage of tho
order In council recommending the Man
itoban government to grant remedial legis-
lation 10 the Catholic minority.
This order has pleased nobody. The
Catholics Of Quebec think that the order
ought to be mandatory, while the Prot
estants OF Ontario assert that the federal
government ought not, even by sug.
gestion, to interfere with the question OF
provincial education.
The other cause of trouble was the deci-
sion OF the cabinet to hold a session OF
parliament before going to the country.
This decision was bitterly opposed by
Minister Of Finance Foster who will have
budget deficiency OF some $4,000 900 to
announce and was anxious to make an
appeal to the country before this dis
heartening piece Of financial news was
officially made public
j. g. Patterson, the minister of militia,
II not the first to feel the coming storm,
was.the first to steer for harbor OF ref
uge 1t was announced In the govern
ment organizations that Patterson. ow-
Ing 70 his poor health, the politicians con-
venient plea. had resigned his portfolio
ship Of Manitoba. This was accompanied
by an elaborate state ment Of the harmony
prevailing in the cabinet, which was In
itself regarded In po litical circles as very
suspicious, and indie ating that all was
not right In that happy family, composed
of French Roman Catholics and Ontario
Orangemen.
Ii is definitely known that Sir Charles
Tupper has rendered his resignation. He
has not attended cabinet meetings for the
past three days His resignation was
brought about by two causes In the first
place. his advices that an immediate ap.
peal should be made to the country was
disregarded, and his claim to lead the
house OF commons was denied.
At q Critical Stage.
A dispatch from Winnipeg states that
the remedial order on separate schools
does not come up in the legislature until
tonight, but IL is, nevertheless the one
topic of the day here.
Both the government and Opposition are
holding frequent caucus meetings, and
what the outcome will be Is difficult to
predict. One thing is certain, viz, that
the Manitoban government will resent in
terferenco by Ottawa on educational mat
ters There Is every indication that the
policy of the Opposition in the legislature
will be TO advocate some notifications "a
tho school law, In other words. some sort
OF compromise. The Opposition of Premier
Greenway and the government is clearly
outlined. The newspaper organ of the
government has this official statement
u lder tho heading:
"Manitoba's Answer"
The remedial order has been read in the leg.
islature We are asked 70 restore the school
system that was in operation previous to 1890.
Let Quebec and Ottawa rest assured tnat the
restoration viii never be made. Manitoba has
700 keen a sense of justice, Too much regard
ior truth and equity, TO recognize u relig-
ious aristooracy an element 20 its population
BY no means the most worthy.
As q civilized people. attempting 90 realize in
a measure the idols Of the 10Th century Man
itobans will not silently submit TO the pre-
posterous demand that she should turn back
the wheels OF progress 300 years She will
stubbornly refuse TO supplant modern ciyiliZa-
ton by medievalism. This whole question il
not quarrel between Manitoba and the Domin-
ion. 1t is not even a quarrel between creeds
and races. 1t 10 a struggle as TO whether the
ideas of the 10th century or the ideas Of the
Dark Ages shall prevail.
The act Of 1870 was designed TO give 20 every
church in the land the benefits OF common
school education. IL recognizes neither class
nor creed, but places all on the samo level Of
citizenship. IL aimed az development in this
noble country, unity Of sentiment, a strong
feeling Of brotherhood and IL sought to sink
all prejudices and class distinctions thr ough
making all equal in the sign Of the law. Could
anything be more wiser Could anything be
more Justl
Catholics Severely Scored.
Yet what was the attitude OF the Roman
Catholic churchY Standing aside, wrapped up
in its black mantle Of arrogance, il demanded
that 10 should be considered religious aris'
tocracy. IL refused 20 have the children of its
pae4nbers receive instructions side by side with
the children OF those who are their superiors
IN intelligence and wisdom.
And on whas Rroundsf IL said Catholics were
promised different treatment from others by
the act that called the province into existence.
Then whom shown that even il this were true,
which A. is not. no just citizen would claim a
fulh lment OF the promise, since it would vio-
late one Of the foundation principles of state
organization--equal rights to all.
IL gave second reason that the public
schools are Protestant. II the refusal Of
Roman Catholic 10 act as memberof the de-
partnsent OF education ana of the archbishop
TO act as "A member OF the advisory board could
make the schools Protestant. then they are so;
otherwise not a shadow OF proof has been ad-
vanced In support OF this claim.
Why does not the Roman Catholic church
come out with the truth at once? Why not
advance the real reaas1i for discontent2 Rome
Is not in accord with the spirit Of the age. IL
is welded 10 n dead past. Medimvalism cannot
coalusce with modern thought.
"Creed Against Creed"
In place of the act of 1890. what substitute
h offered. We are asked 10 set creed against
creed and race against race; 90 break up the
interest that should exist; Co mutually sup
port each other in wrongdoing; to make the
state the teacher Of religious truth.
How can any Romanist, believing that Prot
,stants' schools are teaching errors, con.
scientiously support them, and how can any
Protestant, believing that the religious teach
ing of the Roman Catholic church is errone-
Gus. agree that n portion OF his tax should
b. voted toward the support Of such teachingsY
No, any who has the least sense of
justice, any one who is patriotic in the slight
est degree, any one who believes that all cig-
gems are equal IN the sight OF the law, and that
what is good enough for one a. good enough
for all. must stand by the act Of 1880.
And this Is our answer TO Quebec. We
shall not allow the state 10 support re.
igion; we shall not allow the church 10 con