The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-12-18
THE "STORY OFLlBERTY,"

Charles Carleton Coffin, a Boston Jour-
nalist. and published by Harper G.
Brothers. New York, has been submitted
10 us for re:iew. 1t is addressed to the
boys and girls of America and the au-
thor in the first paragraph Of the intro
auction assures them that his STORY
OF Liberty is Il true narrative covering
a period of 500 years, and is an outline
of the march of the human race from
slavery to freedom. 1t opens with the
signing of Magma Charta by King John
| at Runnymede in 1915, and closes with
the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth
RCck in 1920. We have never read such
tissue of falsehOods and wiIful mis-
representations as are contained in this
book about the Catholic church and it's
historic characters. and we doubt II any
publishers but the Harpers would ever
issue such lying publication
The writer completely ignores the
saying Of John Lord. LII. D., in his
Beacon Lights of History" What an
august power is the Catholic empire,
equally great as an institution and as a
religion. Surely such a power cannot
be despised even by the narrowest and
most tanatical Protestant 1t is too
grand and venerable for sarcasm, ridi-
cule and mockery. 1t is too potent and
respectable to be sneered at or lied
about. If the papacy were despotism
having nothing else in view than the
enthralment of mankind-of which .
has been often accused-then mankind
long ago, in lofty Indignation, would
have hurled 1t from it's venerable
throne"
by blending truth with falsehonl, by
suppression and misrepresentation of
facts, this Bostonan bigot is sowing
the seeds of religious prejudice In the
plastic minds OF the boys and girls of
America. And would you believe il:
lhc copy in our possession was obtained
from the Minneapolis public library by
Catholic boy who attends one of the
p"hllc schools in tho Eighth ward, the
teacher Of which recommended it to
her pupils to aid them in their studies.
she told them that she found it quito
interesting and that they certainly
would be benefited by it's perusal.
In the first place, we are astonished
that such an anti-Catholic book is found
in the public library, and in the second
place. VIC are more than astonished To
lind it recommended by the teachers OF
the public schools for the use of tho
children in preparing their lessons.
We'll may we ask, have Catholics. as
citizens and taxpayers, any rights that
Pnrltans are bound to respect? 1t ap-
pears not.
The Irish Standard has always IA
vored the public school system because
or its secular and non-sectarian charac-
ter. The constitution of the state of
Minnesota provides that as the stabil-
lty or a republican form of government
depends mainly upon the intelligence
OF the people, 1t shall be the duty of
the legislature to establish a genera!
and uniform system of public schools
but III no case shall public moneys or
property be appropriated or used for
the support OF schools wherein the ,iis-
tlnctlve doctrines, crccds or tcnets of
any particular Christian or other rcliy-
lolls sect are promulgated or taught"
Catholics, Professionals, Jews and Moth
lngarlans cannot reasonably find fnnlt
with that provision OF our constitution
A public school system could not bc
satisfactorily conducted otherwise I'M
dor a republican form OF government
and il different system is foistcd upon
the people who stand on a perfect equal
ity before the law, that system should
not be permitted to exist for a day.
The public school system as now con-
Quoted in defiance and violation of the
state constitution is far from being sat-
lsfactory to Roman Catholic citizens
whose children are instructed to de-
spise and detest the church of their
fathers. Is there any man on the school
board. no matter what Is his religious
belief, who will sanction the use of this
so-caled Story Of Liberty" in public
schools supported by the entire COM
munlty' Any member of that body
who believes in liberty of conscience for
all men III our republic, and who reads
this vile production In defamation of the
Catholic religion. and still approves of
1T as an auxiliary to school study.
should resign his position immediately,
He Is not fit to supervise any educ;s
tional institution conducted at public
expense.
Have wo secular. non-sectarian schools
In reality? We have not They are
Protestant and anti-Catholic beyond
question. What business has religious
history in the public schools If they
are to maintain a sembance of their
secular character? We have now In
tho public school library of this city
as book of reference for teachers
DAubigne's History of the Reforma-
tion." Of which tho late Archbishop
Spalding, of Baltimore, said: His pro-
tended history Is, In fact, little better
! than romance. He omits more than
| half the facts, and either perverts or
draws mon his imapinatinn for tho ro