The Irish standard., 1897-03-13
THEY woke UP THE SENATE.
= Four rlembers of that Body Ear
nestly Discuss Catholic
Interests.
Bigotry Laid Bare Concerning
Opposition to Indian
Appropriations.
The Senators in the Discussion
Were Hawley, Allen, Petit
grew and Hoar.

During the animated debate in the
national senate on the Indian apprcpri-
tion bill ON Feb. II, three Protestant
senators, Hawley, OF Connecticut: Petit
grew, of South Dakota, and Allen, of
Nebraska, administered rebukes to the
bigots who are striving to deprive the
Catholic schools of government aid.
Senator Hawley said: l am not a
Catholic, and yet I should have great
contempt for myself If, as public man,
I went about constantly condemning'
them. have nothing to say about their
belief it is theirs-honestly held by an
immense number OF people-and it is
church of magnificent organization and
executive power.
Now we prefer and all our Protestant
people prefer that the schools shall be
separated from the churches. We have
declared that we shall do so, but we
were a. little merciful about it at that
very same time, permitting child to
learn to read under a Catholic priest for
little while until we can get him
another place. That is all this bill pro-
poses, that we shall not turn the Indian
children out of doors, and meantime we
shall make an effort to establish non
sectarian schools. 1 never had such
strong prejudices against the Catholic
schools that would rather see my child
going to one of them to learn to read
and write than wandering about the
streets in bad company and growing up
a. dirty, ignorant loafer."
Senator Pettigrew, who declared he
was opposed to religious education, re-
ferring to the governments policy OF
asking the cooperation of the various
sects In educating the Indians, said:
During the first two administrations
after we had adopted this policy not a
single Catholic school was engaged in
the education of the Indian children.
The Protestant churches of this country
commended this policy. The Protestant
churches built the first Indian contract
school; but, Mr.. President, in 1880, we
made the first provision for contracts
for the education Of these children in
schools under the control of the Catholic
church. The Catholics were enterprs-
ing, and by 1885 they were getting three
quarters Of the appropriations, because
they had built the schools at the invita-
ton of the government, aud then 1t was
that we began to hear the cry that there
should he no sectarian education; then 1t
was that the clamor arose to abolish
sectarian education for the Indian child
rem, and it has continued until this
time"
Again, he spoke as follows: MI.
president, am we'll aware that We have
an Indian Rights Association, organized,
/ suppose, to protect the Indians of this
country. One of it's most active centers
Is located in the state OF Massachusetts.
They are very solicitous about the rights
and privileges of the Indians, terribly
anxious; and along with the same idea
cherished by their ancestors, the people
of Massa chusetts are particular about
the religious belief of the Indians they
favor. Myles standish, when he assas-
sinated his victims, and was therefore
made saint by the Pilgrims of Massa-
chusetts, expressed no regret, and the
Rev. Robinson declared that we must
take into consideration the hot temper
of the little captain, and stated that his
only regret was that he did not stay
alive until he could be converted.
$50 this association today is anxious
about the rights and privileges OF the
Indians; yet because those Indians hap
pened to believe the doctrines of the
Catholic church, they would drive them
from the schools, turn them loose on the
prairies, and make no provision for them
whatever. Oh, Mr.. President, ! am tired
of the contemplate hypocrisy OF the In
dian Rights Association. am sorry that
ii dndo representation ON this floor.
Whilst it may contain many philan-
thropic and excellent people, its affairs
are controlled and directed by persons
who have no respect not only for the in
terests of the Indians, but in many cases
for truth itself -
Senator. Allen. who is the son Of q
Protestant minister. spoke strongly
against the bill, saying among other
things:
@$3.'..I noticed day CT two ago that a dis
stInguished union general, under whom
fsseryel during the late war, died at St.
4 man, MI. President. who, = be-.
EE,eeter than Magaaal sy:s