The Dickinson press., 1907-01-26
Work Hand in Hand.
Richardton, N. d.. Ian. 20. 1c

NlcnarotOn, N. D., Jan. 20, 1907.
EDITOR PRESS: After sending to the
PRESS a little article regarding the filming
OF parents who had not sent their chill
dren to school, l received a letter from
County Superintendent RAIDER in which
he explained his position and stated
what he had done to make the compul.
sorry school law known. l answered him
and stated:
!. That l am not against compulsory
school education.
2. That my comparison of the en-
forcement of the school law with the
non-enforcement of the prohibition law,
etc, was by 10 means directed against
;. That we Catholics try to fulfil the
school laws of the state to the letter with
the children of our parochial schools, by
teaching at least as much as is taught in
the average public school, and that the
county school superintendent and the
school board are welcome to visit our
school and to examine our children.
considered this matter thereby closed
until some citizens told me that the
article of Mr.. RAIDER in the PRESS, dated
Jan. IL, contained some i%nsinuations
which ought to be replied to.
Does the article mean that / and our
Catholic people "harbor in (our) their
hearts a feeling antagonistic to --
the public free SCHOOL," If it be meant
this way, l answer: We are not among
those "who are opposed % the education
OF the masses" W. are not antagonis-
tic to the free school. Were we enemies
of education we would surely not build
our parochial schools with our own pri-
vate means. We educate our children,
it possible, in parochial schools for the
simple reason that we consider our re-
ligion the highest good here on earth,
and, therefore, want to give our children
a religious education. A non-C catholic
may not be able to see into our reason,
for he does not know the value of our
Catholic faith; but a true American will
not shortsightedly suspect that, by so
doing, we oppose a state institution; he
will rather respect US for making sacri-
fees for our principles.
Again, should some one think that the
words: "The position of one who en-
courages the people to ignore the public
school and the laws relating thereto is
certainly no an enviable one" are appli-
able to me, l answer: This is like beat
ing the air. | am, by nc means, encour-
aging people to ignore the public school
when l call attention to certain disorders.
as enforcing one law most strictly and
permitting the trespassing of other laws.
In fact, have more love and admiration
tor the United States and its institutions
than l have for any other country on
earth. But l hate the doings of many
state officials and this for the very love 1
have for the Union. And l am convinced
that many broad minded American born
citizens feel the same way.
do not think that Mr.. RAIDER intended
to put that meaning into those words. l
publicly state here that the little cores
pondence with MI. RAIDER has proved to
me conclusively that he has enforced the
law from a pure motive. We may differ
in our opinions regarding the way the
law should have been made public. 1t
is to be regretted that different circum-
stances which were not within the power
of MI. RAIDER, have made the enforce
ment of the law odious. One thing is
settled, the law is thoroughly published
by this time. Let us hope that it will be
observed and that parents and teachers
will work. hand in hand, for thertrue ed
ucation of our children. 4 4
VINCENT WEHME.