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\-.J: ■ • . , " ■ .\ 
 
 ^■'^k. 
 
 
 
 
te'Vr"*. 
 
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 I 
 
 DENOMINATIONAL 
 
 OR 
 
 Free Christian Schools 
 
 IN MANITOBA. 
 
 To the Editor of the .Stamlard. 
 
 Sir, — While piiMisliinjij: your views on tlie ques- 
 tion of Public Schools, yon kindly expressed the 
 satisfaction you exi)erienced on sc(nng that otiier.s 
 likewise give their opinion on tlio suljoct. Tliis 
 persuades me that you will liberally j^'rant space in 
 vour columns for a. series of a)'ticles T iritend to 
 ])ublish. 
 
 I regret to have to say, in the iii-st place, that 
 my convictions might be diametrically opposed to 
 yours, nevertheless, T am convinced that, animated 
 with a liberal spirit, and friendly to loyal and frank 
 discussion, you will not be avei^e to fair play, and 
 that you will afford your readers the oppoitunity to 
 tind in your own paper the reasons others have, to 
 not share the opinions you have therein expressed. 
 Articles ably written have treated the subject more 
 leuffthilv and more cleverly than T can venture to 
 
?.'; 
 
 ( 
 
 to di), but as they may not have come to the notice 
 of your readtTH, the latter so numerous m the Pro- 
 vince, and yourself, air, will be genernus enough to 
 receive, if not with pleasure, at least with courtesy, 
 the counterpart of your own assertions. 
 
 Before mentioning the sphere intended for my obser- 
 vations, I beg leave-to take a glance over our actual 
 law of education. 
 
 The first Parliament of Manitoba during 
 its first session, passed an Act that was sanc- 
 tioned on the 31st of May, 1871. An amend- 
 ment of detail received force of law on the 2l8t 
 of February, 1872. 1 he 8th Maich, 1873, sanction 
 was given to atiieudiueMts so considerable, that the 
 Act enclosing them was styled " The Amended 
 School Act." The second Parliament added to the 
 great amoi>rt of work accomplished during its first 
 session, ''An Act further to amend the Act to es- 
 tablish a system of education in this Province." and 
 on the 14th May, 1875, the twenty-nine clauses of 
 the said Act, veoAved in the name of the Queen, 
 the sanction of the Lieutenant-Governor. 
 
 Moreover on the 14th February, 1876 His Honor 
 sanc'ioned the forty-five sections of " An Act to 
 amend the School Acts of Manitoba, so as to meet 
 the special requirement of incorporated cities and 
 towns " All this legislation evidently proves that 
 the legislators of Manitoba have been earnestly 
 pre-occupied concerning the question of education 
 to which they have devoted a large share of their 
 labours. 
 
 The above laws have been enacted, either with 
 
 C\ 
 
)rue to the notice 
 rous m the Pro- 
 er- lus enough to 
 St with coiiftesy, 
 Jrtions. ^ 
 
 idedforinyobser- 
 3 over our actual 
 
 V 
 
 mitoba during 
 that was sane- 
 An amend- 
 on the 21 at 
 , 1873, Sanction 
 rable, that the 
 The Amended 
 5nt added to the 
 during its fii-st 
 the Act to es- 
 Province." and 
 -nine clauses of 
 )f the Queen, 
 mor. 
 
 876 His Honor 
 f " An Act to 
 so as to meet 
 ted cities and 
 ly proves that 
 een earnestly 
 of education 
 hai-e of their 
 
 , either with 
 
 the unaliiniity, or at least, with tlu- majority of the 
 Legislative Council an<l Legislative Assembly. 
 They have all been sanctioned by the Lieutenant- 
 Governor in the name of the Queen, none of them 
 have been dlsa vowed by the more immediate repre- 
 sentative of the Sovereign. 
 
 Therefore the said laws are duly and lawfully 
 the code that govern tie Province of Manitoba, 
 with regard to the education of its children. The 
 actual laws of education admit and protect the prin- 
 ciple of denominational schools,, and in fact, as 
 well as in name, make them either Protestant or 
 Catholic, entirely disttnct uud .independent among 
 themselves and respectively submitted only to the 
 tection of the Board of Education to which they be- 
 long. 
 
 The Protestant section of the Boar<i of Educa- 
 tion has under its conti'ol the management of the 
 Protestant schools. It has the power to make from 
 time to time, such regulations as may be deemed 
 fit for their their general management and dicipline 
 to arrange for the proper examination, grading, and 
 licensing of its teachers, and for the withdrawal of 
 the license on sufficient cause ; to select all the 
 books, maps, and globes to be used it v,s schools ; 
 and to approve of plans and dimensivns for the 
 erection of school houses under its control ; the 
 same Protestant section of the Board, has the pow- 
 tsr to erect, divide, and subdivide Protestant school 
 districts where it thinks proper throughout the 
 Province ; all school taxes and assessments paid by 
 Protestants are exclutively for the maintenance of 
 Protestant schools. The money voted by the Leg- 
 
 .'-«-•>■ 
 
 
 ^^.iKii*fefe,:MtS(«»r5*l 
 

 islative Asscniihly for ciliicatioiiiil jmr|»osj'.s i.s di- 
 vided in |)r<»|Hii tioii to tin? school population 
 of eaeli section. Tlnrerore tlw; Protestanta 
 luiVH tint hitir, tl)t? i.wo'tlii.ids, the iliree-fourths of 
 the Oovermiient ^'iMut, if they hav»i the half, the 
 two-thirds, t'u; tlntc tnm ths, etc., (»f the* school 
 j)0pu!atir>i). In ji word f/ia Prutt'staut schooKs are 
 enth'cJjf Hiider Ike cutitrol and jurtsdlcliun of Pro- 
 testmits ; th'V receive all the iiioiinv paid by Pro- 
 testants for MSS"^<sineiits, and thev have their due 
 share ot' puldit; funds .* 
 
 77te CafholicH Ji(iriit(j uotlung to do with the Fro- 
 tHstitnt fichooLs they huve no action in them, and 
 conseqie nlly they ciin in no way iuipedo their sucr 
 cess, vvelf.tie, Mild piospeiily. Th(- law, in granting 
 such indt'pen h^iiCfi to th" Protestant schools, and 
 ill proUictih.;^ tluMii against tlu- intrusion ni Catho- 
 lics, even were tlie hitler nioie numerous, secui-ea 
 Kiniilai- iiidepeiuleiice to Catholic schools against 
 the ititei-ference of Prut^-stants, notwithstanding 
 the latter hcinir the niaiority in the. Province. 
 Such is the fnu'lane'iital prihciple of the School 
 Law of Manitoba. 
 
 Defective as tJiis law juay be iu other respiects, 
 it is neverlheless true to say that the princij)le on 
 which it is based is commended by a host of dis- 
 tiniT'dslied statesmen and publicists, together with 
 other eminent men of all countries, ranks amj de- 
 nominations. The same principle ha«* made the 
 prosjierity of certain nations, while placing them 
 foremost in civilization ; and without seeking ji- 
 lustration abroad, every one knovvs that the t^K-o 
 most important Provinces of the Canadian C^onfe- 
 
 J-U-u ,^^tf 
 
 
 I'i 
 
'o with the Pro- 
 ^ ill tliem, and 
 ipedo tlieii- sucr 
 Lw, ill giiintiiig 
 it schools, and 
 •si on (;f Oatho- 
 HM'ous, seciir-ea 
 eliools against 
 >twitlistaiiding 
 the. Province, 
 f the School 
 
 ;nat the t\5^<> 
 adian ('onfe- 
 
 diiiMtion haN'' si'|»arat<' .s(;lioi)l.->, and urc satisind 
 wiili th«« sybtt III ; vvhih-, nsjuHiting the riglits of 
 
 .11. ti 
 
 lis svsti'in (.UH'iis .1 sv i(h' li.ld to noMo and ;;c 
 
 neious cn»uhiti(»n, \vhi<h. as a ^ciiciiil v\\\^\ stMnires 
 mnT amph' and i»»-Ltt r .i-;siil:s. 
 
 On the <»th«'r hand. \v»i «<'*) th«* saru^ pi'inciple 
 o[»)u)se!i hy men wim tliink ih«y h:ive a light to 
 Inad public opinion. Cut allow nie to say that 
 int'fc (»p|»((sition to a system of <(liication <li>cs not 
 
 pr 
 
 i)V(! that tin- j-anu* is contrarv 
 
 to tl 
 
 in uior<^, tni- 
 
 lightcneJ spirit of iJu^ present aye." It is siirc^ly ji 
 ndstake to tliink that " the iriuniph of the piiuci 
 pie of Justice" consists in replacing the system 
 adopted liere hy the very ini[n<)porly termed " Un- 
 seetaiia)! piihlic sch<iol .system." 
 
 I have no knowledge o'i Catholics having any 
 desire to biing a raiiical change in our sc'i»»ul laws. 
 I am not. even aware wlictln'r tlm Pi'oteslant po 
 pulation, h;ft to itself, litul itot (Kjlfdii^d b}/ extreme 
 men, taored b>j nectarum vlew.-i, or j)oUtic(d (iiubi- 
 tion, would ever think of Itringing ahout tin; pro- 
 loosed change, or of fencing it upon their fellow 
 citizHiis. On the event of the Protestiint p(>)»nla- 
 tion not heing satidiitd with the acttial condition 
 of things^ I will take th ^ liherty to I'ospeetfnlly 
 niak(5 the followinii; suifu'estions : 
 
 1st , Allow the Catholics to enjoy the liberty 
 you would surely claim, vver<' you in Uieii* place, 
 do not meddle witli their schools, otherwise nor more 
 than you would v/i,sh them to do were they the 
 majority in the Provinces 2nd, If your own 
 school regulations do not meet yo\n- approbation 
 
 yon can easily bring a rejmedv without agitating 
 
 ith 
 
 mi^mM^mm^^fms&mmmmMm:^: 
 
 
 . ~ ......v^.Jft,. .•.„;,^-.;v.;-,J ,Xi -.iC* 
 
» » 
 
 i-r 
 
 ■ II 
 < . 
 
 :il 
 
 'I 
 
 I 
 
 , but leavt* to 
 clem* by th«ir 
 
 our Piovin(M>, and injuring the juHt 8UHo<'{)til)ilitief<| 
 and the conncientiouH convioliuuH of otIieiN. You 
 are uiastfiiK of your own po.sit.ion, make your own 
 schoolH what vou wi^h tht'Ui to h 
 Catholic 8choo)H the rharactHr ht-ld 
 RUpporterH. 
 
 I have already fully Ktated, and every one known 
 that the ProtestantH have tlx' control of tli»*ir schooi» 
 by t\m actual law ; they teach only what they like, 
 they can leave oH' in th»'ir teaching all that din- 
 
 f)leaHe8 them, thev <.un if they choowe exclude all iv, 
 igious teaching;, that oouchiiih thoinselves. the law 
 secuies them that right ar>d I do not thifik the 
 Catholics will ever object to it. On the other hand 
 I see neither liberality nor justice on the part of the 
 majority, to endeavor to control the Catholic 
 Schools, or to destroy theii- suitnoniy, in order to 
 govei'n them. — Instead of setting forth an irritat- 
 ing, useless, and ' dangerous question, that has al- 
 rea.ly occasioned such deplorable results even with- 
 in our young Confederation, why do not the 
 friends and advocates of this pretended reform, 
 turn their zeal towards what is naturally, and hy 
 the law under thHr authority ?. If the proposed 
 change be thT> result of divergence of opinion among 
 the different Protestant sects, and if the I&tter agree 
 to it, let the Protestant section of the Board of Ed- 
 ucation accomplish the change in the schools under 
 its control and they will then have ** unsectarian 
 schools " for their children. — If it be the wish ot 
 Protestants, let the Board exclude from their school 
 everything Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist 
 kc, and if they choose all that is Christian, let 
 
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 >•:'<:» ■'^;> 
 
 
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 Ife^;- 
 
.. •» » 
 
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 , .i-N 
 
 su8f!«'|)til>ilirie«, 
 r otIieiN. Yon 
 mke vonr own 
 
 ', but leav*' t«> 
 flem- \\y th«ir 
 
 •fiv on« known 
 of tli»'ir schooln 
 what thf-y like, 
 : u)l that dift- 
 «'xclu«lt' all n» 
 elvf's. the law 
 lot think the 
 the other hand 
 tlie part of the 
 
 the Catholic 
 ', in order to 
 ill an iiritHt- 
 , that has al- 
 Ita even with- 
 
 do not the 
 nded reform, 
 \rally, and hy 
 the proposed 
 pinion among 
 le l&ttej' agree 
 Board of Ed- 
 ichools under 
 '* unsectarian 
 
 the wish ot 
 Q their school 
 n, Methodist 
 hristian, let 
 
 them make the ex)K*rimHiit in their middt, and in 
 what conceruH them. When a generation will have 
 leaped the fruiiH thereof, and proved by experience 
 rhe etiitii«u«:y *>f the system to secure the moral and 
 iutollectUHl improvement of its partizans, then 
 surely you will have no trouble in obtaining the 
 co-op«ratiou of the Catliolics, who naturally, will 
 be only to happy tc» secuie foi themselvas the bene- 
 tits enjoved l)y othei-s, Z'/tew, hut not till then, peo- 
 ple will see the realization of the hope expressed by 
 the Free Press in its issue of the 25th. August last. 
 
 *♦ We have little iloubt that the 
 
 prelates of that (Umrch (Catholic ) will see the wis- 
 dom and justice of complying with publie opinion 
 in a reform that will conduce to the geneial well 
 being of the people." In my opinion the prelates 
 of the Cstholic Church have ihe well being of the 
 people sufficiently at heart to willingly and prompt 
 ly adopt any system of education that experience 
 would prove it them to be tlie most advantageous. 
 80 far the thing is merely being ventilated in 
 our young Province, and unfortunately the result 
 of the trial elsewhere is fur, veiy far from being 
 satisfactory, so without any uneasiness as to what 
 the prelates of the Catholic Church will say hereaf- 
 ter, I take the liberty, and I do so without hesita- 
 tion, to affirm that the system termed " unsecta- 
 rian public schools" meet with no sympathy on my 
 part, and in order not to appear unreasonable allow 
 nte to say what I think of the system m a''legal, re- 
 li«j;ious, and social point of view. 
 
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 /Vr.v^ — 'I'hk KsTAr.i.isn.MK.NT of '•NoN-SEcTAinAS' 
 StHooLS IN Manitoba, woui.d bk illev.ax.. 
 
 Tlvi HistquPHt.ion tliat pres^ntH hsolJto the mind 
 in tli(^ !i'!!.ual controversy is this: Has tlie Lijjisla- 
 till')' *,»r "\l;uiiti»l)a power to n'jieHl the present et I ue«- 
 tioMitl hiw!-; Mil 1 toicpla o theiii by asysteui repugnant 
 to tlu minority of tliis Frovii;c<'. I do not hesi- 
 tate ill sayiuic that our le^ishiture lias to such pow- 
 er. Tilt' minority of llie Province having ritrhts or 
 [nivileiiHS ac(juij-( d and acknowledged, snch rights 
 
 ih 
 
 or pi'iv iiv^Lfis ai'e under the sjtte o-nard oi a suj eiior 
 authoiily. and (*ons« quently, the pov.<'r of t lie legis 
 lative Assembly ot M;i(iitol)a d'^s not extend so 
 far as to viohite sueh riglits oi- prix i.eijes. Any 
 law enacted in tlie above sens<i would l^c vltra vh'e-< 
 nidi, and certainlv disiillowe'l at Ottawa. 
 
 I inidirstHnd the niagiiltudf and delicacy of 
 the task imposed upon a tribunal c:d]ed upon 
 to decide on the v.didity ot' a legislature Act. 
 1 understand tlie importance and Incidity rf 
 the })roofs th;!t such a ti-ibunal would re(]uire to 
 become convinced thrd i]\q lughest legal authority 
 in the Province had failed and u'one beyond the 
 lindts assigned To it.s legislative power. 
 
 I know all tliis, biit I am equ;dly aware thnt in 
 the case of usurpation of )>()\Aer, the superior au- 
 thority has the ulsliijatioti to disconntenance such 
 proceedings, and to grant to those who are unjutit- 
 Iv dealt with, the ])rotection to which thev aie en- 
 titled bv the laws that sfovein them. Leiiislature 
 independence, warranted to the different Provinces 
 of the Canadian confederation, is justly precious to 
 every Canadian, and surely no one should act in a 
 
 "; , 
 
 :f 
 
 i§Lgf;4MpL»ua^-j^riJi^ 'f 
 
 71 
 

 9 
 
 wax to diminish sucli an iinportant |>re<ogative. 
 On the other hand, it is the <hit\ of the Provincial 
 Legislature not to attempt unvtidng beyoml the 
 restrictions expie.sst'iJ in the Im])erial Acts that con- 
 stitute thf5 same legislature. Jt i« a cause oF legi- 
 niate pride for the inhabitants of a Ptovince to 
 know and to feel that tluiy are fn^e ; hut it is ('(lual- 
 ly necessriry to their hap|)iness to know, and to 
 feel that they are protecUv I. P^ote^•tioM is as ne- 
 cessary as freedom of wliicli ic Is the c-imph-uKait, 
 Without the protection foi some the fre^^dom of 
 others mav easily dnfeneiatfi into licons(5. Citizens 
 would loose the respect and reliuioe on tlie no!>le 
 institutions that govern th.^ country, should the 
 protection to which they have a right, he in their 
 estimation, inferior to the freedom tliey enjoy. 
 
 The theory of absolute pow r vested in the Pro- 
 vincial Legislature in all cases, is entirely inadniis- 
 sable, as the Imperial Acts that established such 
 legislature have limited their action in a clear and 
 precise manner. It is obvious tliat the question of 
 education is among those on whicli it is nof. lawful 
 to enact without certain restrictions. 
 
 Before proceeding any further on the matter, I 
 wish to review the objection that has been impro- 
 perly raised as baped on the sub-section of section 
 92 of "The British North American Act, 1867." 
 To invoke the said gub-clause as a proof tliat each 
 province has an entire, absolute an-^ unrestrained 
 power relative to education, denote a very superficial 
 study of the Act itself. "The British North 
 American Act " classifies the matters of which it 
 treats under XI titles, within XT principal divi- 
 
 
 sh 
 
 
 '-1 
 
 P'^'jii 
 
 ^„^ — sL 
 
 m iiiiiiMHiilMPii'wny*^^ 
 
 -.IX'-.-'^' -''-f' '-■'■';'*" 'i^^r^- ig". 
 
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 V I 
 
 
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 10 
 
 sioiis, some of which are subdivided. The follow- 
 ing synoptic table of matters contained in the said 
 Act, will show at riist sight, the futility of the ob- 
 jection I combat : 
 
 BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT, 1867. > 
 
 Kenuirks. 
 
 I. Prolijninary. 
 
 II. Union- 
 Ill. Executive Power. 
 
 IV. LHgisliiti\'t* Power. — The Senate ; The 
 
 House of Commons. 1. 
 
 Ontario. 2. Quebec. 3, 
 
 I Nova Scotia. 4. New 
 
 Brunswick. Money votes. 
 Royal assent. 
 
 Piovincial Consti- Exe.:;ntive Power. 
 
 V. 
 
 tutions. 
 
 gislative 
 
 Power. 1 , 
 tario. 2. Quebec. 
 Ontario and Quebec. 
 Nova Scotia and 
 
 Le 
 
 On- 
 3. 
 4. 
 
 New 
 
 Distribution of 
 Legislative 
 Powers. 
 
 Brunswick. 5. Ontario, 
 Quebec and Nova Scotia. 
 6. The four Provinces. 
 
 VI. Distribution of * Powers of Parliament. Ex- 
 clusive Powers of Provinci- 
 al Legislature. Education. 
 
 Uniformity of Laws in 
 Ontario, Nova Scotia, anil 
 New Brunswick. Agri- 
 culture and Immigration. 
 
 VII. Judicature. 
 
 VIII. Revenues, Debts, Assets, Taxation. 
 
 
 T^ 
 
■i^#- 
 
 ACT. 1867. I 
 
 11 
 
 fX. MiseellaiieouH Provi.sii>ii8 — (ieneral, Ontario 
 
 aii<l Quebec. 
 
 X. IntercoloniHl Railway. r . 
 
 XI, Admission of other Colonics. 
 Schedules 
 
 Such are the divisiynH and sul>(!i\isions of the 
 " British North America Act." It is ceitaicly an 
 elemental y lule of interpretation to say that, when 
 HU Act has divi.sifijs under eeitaiii titles, tiie vow 
 words used as titles of tlje divisions when fnipluyed 
 in any section of the said Act, nieiin tlie matters 
 contained in the division to wliich such words are 
 pre.Hxed as title, 'therefore the words ' Constitu- 
 tion of the Province^'' used in the clause 92, must 
 necessarily refer to what, and to nothing but to 
 what is contained within the division V under the 
 title Provincial Constitution,^. 
 
 The clause 92 belongs to division VI, and its 
 tirst sub-section reads as follows : 1. •' The Amend- 
 ment from time to time notwithstanding i.nything 
 in this Act of tlie Constitution of the Province, ex- 
 cept as regards the office of Lieutenant-lToveruor." 
 
 One must close his eyes to the evidence and to 
 the clearest and most natural sense of the words not 
 to i-ead in the above mentioned sub-section the very 
 title of the division V. *' Piovincial Constitutions." 
 And the division V being the only part of the Act 
 that fixes the Provincial Constitutions, is the only 
 part of the said act referred to, by the said sub-sec- 
 tion of the clause 92, On the contrary '* Educa- 
 tion "being neitherCo/istitutionofthe Province, nor 
 even mentioned in the division V cannot be aimed at 
 by the sub-section which now occupies me, and 
 
 
 >- '*i 
 
12 
 
 which treats only of HrnemlrrK^uts of theOonsfAtutiot.S 
 of the Province. 
 
 The Diviaion VI of our "British Norrh America 
 Act" shew« till' diKt»il)ntion of legislative powers 
 and detenriines the linnts of tho Federal as well as 
 of the Provincial Logi.slaturcs,indieating to the one 
 as well as to tho oilioi-s. what is, and what in not 
 suhject to th<nr jurisdiction. The clause 93 which 
 forms by itself tlif suhdivision entitled ''Education" 
 is the oidy ouh that indicates the extent as well as 
 the liujits of tlie powers of the Provincial Legisla- 
 ture relative to tins important subject. 
 
 Instead of referrin<; < xclusivelv to the matters 
 contained in the •livision V, under the title " Pro- 
 vincial Constitutions," if anvtiiitiir in tiie clause 92 
 coidd aHect tli<^ <lispnsitions of the clause 93 it would 
 with equal reason afi*<'cr the clause 91, and with the 
 same stroke annul all the restrictions that the Im- 
 perial Act intended to put, and did j)ut to the 
 powers of Piovincial legislature. Such cannot be 
 the case. '* The British North America Act " has 
 divided and classified the matters of which it treats 
 in a manner too evident and too lucid to leave room 
 for such coid'usion of ideas. 
 
 It is therefore evident that the Sectiou 93, while 
 stating that ' in and for each Province the legisla- 
 ture may exclusively make laws in relation to edu- 
 cation " affirms at the same time that such laws 
 shall he " subject and according to the provisions " 
 set forth in its sub-sections, provided always that 
 the inhabitants of each Province be in such legal 
 conditions as would secure lO them the benefit, or 
 
la 
 
 nsfAtutiot.s 
 
 I America 
 e powers 
 as well as 
 :o tl>e one 
 at is not 
 93 which 
 ducation" 
 s well as 
 I Legisla- 
 
 « matters 
 ile " Pro- 
 clause 92 
 5 it would 
 
 with the 
 t the Im- 
 t to the 
 mnot be 
 A-ct " has 
 
 it ti-eats 
 ive room 
 
 )3, while 
 legisla- 
 to edu- 
 ch laws 
 ivisions " 
 ys that 
 'ch legal 
 nefit, or 
 
 if ytm like t\n'. word better, tlic restraint indicated 
 bv the said subsections. 
 Knougli for the oV)jection. 
 
 What now I'eniains for me to examine, are the 
 limiis thut the Imperial Act sot to the powers of 
 the Hxrcudvo and J^egishitive authorities of the 
 Province (.f Manitoba in relation to the educational 
 laws '• affecting any rights or privilngcs of the Pro- 
 testant oi- Roman Catholic min 'lity of the Queen's 
 subjects in this Province. 
 
 No body I am sure will <ioubt of the nuUicy of 
 a Provincial Act that wouhl be in direct opposition 
 to ono, or several Imperial Acls, especially when 
 those Impeiial Acts are the same that havf consti- 
 tuted the Provincial Ij-gisiattiio, statini; what it 
 should do, or h'ave undime. 
 
 In relation to Kducation, " the Protestant or 
 Roman Catholic minority of the Queens' subjects" 
 in the Province of Manitoba, are under the protec- 
 of two different Acts ; the one biving properly an 
 Imperial Act, and the other although a Federal 
 Act, having received from an Imperial Act, the 
 confirmation which guards it, not only against the 
 Pi-ovincial Legislature but (*ven deprives the Fede- 
 ral Parliament, thtct has enacted it, of the right to 
 repeal or ainend it. Yes the Imi>arial Act 34 and 
 35 Victoria Chapter XXVIII cited as the British 
 North America Act 1871 " was [)assed to validate 
 the Manitoba Act and protect the rights confe;rred 
 thereby. 
 
 Follow certjim clauses of the Imjterial Act last 
 mentioned : 
 
 ■ ■' •yj 
 
 ^mmmtrnmry^ 
 
 ■ my- 
 
 ■ -7^:^'' 
 
 .■:::''ii^^ 
 
 ■ f ■■-"i''^- '■' -ii- ^}^-f*f'^'l^'' 
 
"TT"-*^ r-.T^s***. 
 
 l**»»»»V«»*'* V- . 
 
 14 
 
 %i ' 
 
 (3.) •* Tlic Parliaiiioiit of t!,uiiui;i may from time to time 
 with \hv L';>ii.-;..'Mt of t'l! TiC'gisl.aturc of ;niy iVoviiice of tho 
 8ai(l Doiuinioii iitcroast', <limiiiisli or othorwiao .liter the 
 limit-* <»f ^iiuli l*riivin;j' up )ii ."-ucli terms and contlitious, as 
 iiiay I't aivii (1 to uy the .^aiil liO.'i.«*larurf ami may with the 
 like eoiKsent, mnk*' jnuViSion-! ryspoctin ^ th<i tiled, and op-- 
 er ition <it' any Hii.th in. i\ ase >';■ diminutioii, •>r alttjration 
 r)f 'J'errit('>iy ill re!a*:i'int(> any pMvin';e atf'ec'O':'! therehy." 
 5. " '! In; f.il'owiii;' A ct^ p.tsj-L'd by the H-iid l';nvKi.rnent 
 of <'{inii(l;i, and enliile-i rep :ctiveiy, "An At t for the 
 'IVmpoiary (.ovi.-rnnieJit ni llnpf-rt's Land au-l the North- 
 weHt Teviitory. wh* n ntiitt-d with Cmnda,' and • Ati Act 
 to amend an-l i(HJl",imnj t'le \et. A'. Mini IV^ V^i;t>ria ehap. 
 3, and til e>5ta1)}ish and ]>i"<>v'i a; for t!i • 'Joverument of tht? 
 ProviiK'e of AJanitoi)n..' shall bo and i»e tleemed to have 
 been vaii<l and elle* cu d for all p.irpo.-ves wb itg')evtr, trom 
 the dat^ at wai-.-ii thi-;y re ;})eoi!vely received the assent, 
 in the (^neen's name, of th < M)vern!»r-(}enei;d of the said 
 Dominion of Cannda." 
 
 (). " Except, as provided by the third section of thi-» 
 Act, it shall not be rompeti nt for the Parliament of (pa- 
 nada to alter the provisions of tib:; la^t-mentioned Act of 
 the said Parliament, in so f;>,r a;i it re ates to the Province 
 of Maniloba, or of an/ oth'.r Act her;aft>:'r e>-tal)lisbing 
 new Provinces in the 8aid Dominion, subject always to 
 the right of the Legislature ot the Province of Manitoba, 
 to jJter from time to time tho provisions of any law res- 
 pecting the qualiticatioii '-f electors and members of the 
 Legislative Assembly, and to make laws respecting idec- 
 tiona in the said Province " 
 
 I have mado tlii^ lengthy quotation, in order to 
 prove that the so-called Act of Manitol)a is on tht; 
 same footing with the " Act of British North Ame- 
 rica, i8()7," consequently, the Federal Parliament 
 can alter nothing relative to education, either in 
 the one or the other of these Acts ; and the Lc^is 
 lature of Manitoba cannot over-ride the limits as- 
 RijEtned to it by the same laws. Let us see at ])resent 
 what guarantee the same Acts give to the Catholic 
 
 ~T1 
 
15 
 
 inino'ifcv <>f the I'roviiKv of MMiiirol)M a^'iiijist rhi" 
 fiule.ivors to d -jn iv* in of its scjKir.Mo schools, Wy 
 suhstitutiiijij; for lilt' actiiil l.;w,s a syMteiii <if pduca- 
 tiou Htylwl " Noil-sect iriaM Pnl»lic Schools." 
 
 \V\' r "U'l as folli>vvs in Ih'.) '■ Bri;i>h Norfcli Aiticr- 
 ca Act, 1807" : 
 
 •)3. " III ;iu<l for each Trov Hot the ii-'gislatuic iiir*y 
 ex 'luaively inako I.iwh in )'(.;lM,tiiin t'l tihi^^ati-m. .siilijfct 
 au'.l aoconling to the f'lUuwin^ provisions: 
 
 (l.) " Nothiii;^ ill any such hiw .-ii di prejudicially af- 
 fect any li^iit or priviljgn with respect ti iloiioiiiiuitioiial 
 scliools, wliic'i auv cl is;4 of j).;i.u»is h IV:; hy law in tlu* 
 Province at the I 'iiiuii. 
 
 (2) " .Vll th<! l'ow;;r3, Privileges ;tn 1 Duties at the 
 Union, by law conferred and inijio^ed in Upper Canada 
 on the Si^parvite Sdiools and School Tiittci-s of the 
 Queen's lUitnan (Jat!iolic suhj cti, >hdl be and the samn 
 are Ueiehy extended to the Dissentient iSchoola of the 
 Qie.iu's! Pro*-.esbinb autl Ivoiuau (,' it'iolic subjects in 
 Quebec. 
 
 (8.) 'Wherein any Proviaoe a system of separate or 
 dissejitit'ut schools exists by law at the union, ov is there- 
 after estat)lishod by the Le^^islature <»f tlie Province, an 
 appeal shall lie to the tJovernor (Jcucral in Couueil, from 
 any Act or Deei«ion of a'ly Provincial authority affecting 
 any rii/hh or privilege of the Protestant or Roman (/atho- 
 lic Ministry of the Queen's subjects in relation to Educa- 
 tion." 
 
 (4 ) "In ease any such Provincial btw as from time to 
 time seem to tho Governor-(Teneral in Council, requi- 
 site for the due execution of the provirsious of this section 
 is not made, or in any case any decision of the Movernor-r 
 Ut neralin Council, or any appeal under this section is not 
 duly ex..euted by the proper Provincial authority in that 
 behalf then ami in every such ciae and aa far only as the 
 circumstances of each case require, the Parliament of Ca- 
 nada may make remedial laws for the provisions of this 
 section, and of any decision of the <rovernor-'leneral in 
 Council nude*" this section." 
 
 i'r<}':iyi^^i!'^^^''^ii~'''}''-~-"~,^^' 
 
 WJAM 
 
li 
 
 Tli(M)rtliiiMfV |»o\voicoiif«>)i-»M| upon tlio F*n»vimM>il 
 l^uisljitiifo by tliis section 9H Mmy l>o l*'ss«iif*(l l>y 
 its four siih-st'ctions or \n soiiif' of tlurn, as the case 
 1UM\ l»e. 
 
 TliH first siij'-aection bciiiij liable to (bffereiit in- 
 terprvtiitioiis, 1 a'^avo to tike no a<Ivaiita'ie of it ; 
 ami to leave to o|H)onents all they can cbiini. 1 
 will not even on ntioM the prote'.^tion that Catholics 
 CiUi cluini under such /n-ovlso. 
 
 The second su'> section \nnu\x exclusively for the 
 Provitu;es of Ontario ;md Quebec a e in no way ap 
 |)lic.ibl(» to Manibobi, exc^cj^t p.-iliaps to aid in con- 
 vincing the envniies of our system of education, that 
 the House of (.'ouunons iv. HJu^laiul, the Lords 
 Spiritual and Tein|)oral of the United Kingdom, 
 and Our Most Gracious Sovcr(?i;^-n herself are of 
 opinion that the Provinci s of the Canadian confed- 
 eration mav havf separate or dissentient schools 
 without impeding the " triumph of the principle 
 of justice," and without moving too far " from the 
 more enlightened spirit of the age," otherwise they 
 Would not have enacted such legislation. 
 
 The thini sub-section suifices by itself lo baffle 
 any attempt contrary to tlio ftindamental princi- 
 ples of the School Law of Manitoba. People may 
 say what they like for or against the system, but 
 nobody can deny its existence. 
 
 Yes, every one knows that a *' system of separate 
 or dissentient schools exists by law in the Province 
 of Manitoba, and that all our schools are either 
 Protestant or Catholic, and such system has been 
 •'established by the Legislature of the Provine," 
 this is a right or privilege acquired by the Catholics 
 
 siV"\<- 
 
'■ ■■^^' 
 
 ('■ 
 
 Provirunul 
 
 as tlie case 
 
 ft'eiviit in- 
 
 i'l*) of it, ; 
 
 ciMim. 1 
 
 ; OatholicH 
 
 fly (or the 
 lo way ap- 
 aid ill con- 
 latioii, that 
 tlifj Lords 
 
 Kii)gcloni, 
 elf live of 
 ail eoiifed- 
 nt scIiooIh 
 <! principle 
 ' from tho 
 
 wise tli*^y 
 
 lo baffle 
 al princi- 
 pople may 
 stem, but 
 
 ■ separate 
 Proviiir'e 
 ire either 
 has been 
 Provine," 
 Catholics 
 
 K 
 
 And ** appaal sh.dl lie to the Govonior-UMfiHril in 
 (^omicii from any Act Oi- decision of any Provincial 
 author. ty afftHJlinjj; any ri<(ht8 or privilM;^«*8" tiiUH 
 conferred bv law. 
 
 Should an attempt be made in violation of this 
 Imperial Act, no doubt the Catholics of Manito'ia. 
 members or not, of the L"ju;irtlativ« Assembly, and 
 helped by the Cjitholics of the Federal Parlism^nt 
 and of the Dominion shall lie their ap|»eal, and tbu^ 
 appeal being a right the Go\ernor-Gerieial in Conn 
 cil cannot overlook it. It is impossible to elude 
 this sub-section and save the case of deplorable and 
 dangerous blindness, evei*y one should untlerstand 
 that it is an insuperable barrier arreted by the Im- 
 pnrial Parliament to stay all efforts tending to de 
 prive the Bomati C tholic minority of Her Majes- 
 ty's subjects in Manitoba of the rights or privileges 
 they enjoy in relation to education. 
 
 The fourth sulvsection gives })0wer to the t^-der- 
 a) Parliament to enact remedial laws, should the 
 Provincial Legislatvne neglect to cinnply with ihe 
 decisions of the Governor-General relative to the 
 appeal above mentioned. 
 
 That shows ih'it the appeal is not an empty wor<l 
 I and that the law shall protect those to whom it 
 Iji^ants a right and makt^ good the maxim uhi jus 
 \ibi remt'diurn. - A ^ :i-'i- ^ • f.' ■ n- 
 
 Tiierefore tl»e " British North America Act," in- 
 
 Isteatl of giving to the Provincial Legisluture mi 
 
 unlimite<l power iu relation to erlucation, contines 
 
 jit to certain dispositions, anti any action contrary 
 
 [to law, and intend esl for a Stjitute would be ultra 
 
 yires and conseqwently \m\L 
 
 t * 
 
 i'V , 
 
 mfmmfmmmm 
 
 ' ''iiV 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 II 
 
 18 V 
 
 Tn cnlcr to romplctn conviction on tliM sulijcct I 
 will eiHjiiiio ot tlif* opponents of (yjitliolic.Scli«H)ls 
 of Msiiiitoha wluit tln'v woiild think, wlwit advice 
 they would i;ivo jiiid what action they would takf, 
 R'ipposing tlu' Catholic niaj'-rily of Quchcc dopiive 
 th^ PvoU tint minority of the same Province, of 
 thfir Kdiica- tional Rights or Priv}dt'ges. 
 
 What noise would resuh not only in Quebec V)nt 
 throughout the Dominion and perhaps more in 
 Manitoba tlnm anywhere else] 
 
 What an aniount of reju'oach and insult would Ite 
 lavish<*d on the Catlnlics of Qu(di(»c I From 
 every quarter an energetic appeal should goto the 
 Governorin Council. Undoubtedly His Kxcellencv 
 would feel, and would in reality be bound to recall 
 to the Legislatiu'e of Quebec, the Disp >sition8 of 
 section {)?t. to prescribe th^• remedy to sucli an 
 abuse of j)ower, and if after all thnt th(» Legislature 
 of Qitebrc did not hasten the enaction of the reme- 
 dial law, the Parliatnent ot Cnniula would not be 
 fijh)w in so doiufi:, and such would be its dutv. 
 
 The Catholic majority of QueViec vvill n>'vercom- 
 jnit such a fault, nor dream of such an injustice to- 
 the Protestant minoritv, why then shouhl the Pro- 
 tt sfant majority of \FaMitol»a be suspected of hav- 
 ing such a dis|)osition towards tht' Catholic mi- 
 nority in its rtiidst] In a country like ours when 
 all citizens enjoy equal rights, there cannot be two 
 Weights and two measures. 
 
 What the Pri>testant minority in Quebec is entif 
 tied to, the Catholic minoritv of Manitoba is equal- 
 ly entitled to. What would be unjust, sectarian 
 illegal and unconstitutional on the part of theCath- 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
19 
 
 olic inajoritv of Quebec, is eqinilly mijust, soctiri- 
 aii, illojLfMl iUiil uiKonstitutioiial on the part of the 
 Proti'stiiiit luajority of Afunitoha, or latlirr on 
 tlic ffurt of thane who wish to prepdre mid exciic. tlie 
 luajoi'ity to depait from the patli of justioi^ ami 
 Ii 'iior. 
 
 Should any one be inclined to think that the 
 '• British North Anieriei Act 1807 " applicH merely 
 to the fonr Piovinces orii,dnaily unittMl by tlie Haid 
 Act and not at all to the Province of Manitoba, 
 that was (stablished and admitted into the Oonfed- 
 •'ration four years later ; I would invite liim to 
 peruse the second section of the " Manitoba Act " 
 that r^'ads as follows : 
 
 (2 ) "On, from and after the said day ( n which the or- 
 •ler of the Queen in Coan.ii shall t«ke efl'eot as afortfaid 
 the provisions of the ' British North America Act I8<»7 ' 
 shall, except these parts thereof which are in terms made, 
 orbv reasonable intendment miy be held to he s])ecial!y 
 applicaUe to, or only to effect one or more but not the 
 whole of ihe Province now composing the Dominion, 
 and except so far as the same may l»e varied by this Act, 
 be applicable to the Province of M'uiitol>a, \h the same 
 way, and to tlie like extent as they apply to the several 
 Provinces of Ca/)a'la, and as if the Province of Manitoba, 
 had been one of the Provinces originally united by the 
 said Act." 
 
 Doubtless the altove S''ction is too clear and rx- 
 plicit to need comment, it of course prrvents the 
 appliiation to Manitoba, of the second sub-clau.seof 
 clause 93 (if the '• Rritiaii North America Act" that 
 refers exclusively to (Jnttirio and Quebec ; but on 
 the other hand, it applies to Manitoba, the other 
 tlispositioiis of the " Britisn North America Act'' 
 in relation to edu.iation.amlconse^ue itly lessens tho 
 
 ?,.v"}'.(ii.,;tit^-;;';^, -■- ■ f v^;,.»^;,>\*ift5*ifS5sftt¥ '^^^4^ ' •^^ ■* M > _TJ"J. »!■■■ nm n 
 
20 
 
 pONver of the Ije^nHlHtun* of Miiniiolia, giveH right 
 of ttppe^al to th«* iiiinonty hindn the (lovHriiorGeiie- 
 ral, to reiiipdv tl»« evil, mikI in cA'^e of neceHHi^v an- 
 thori/»*8 th** ( ■iouulian Pailinw'Mt to enforce by re- 
 medieal law.s the <lecihi<>ii of tlie Governor fTPiiernl 
 uppon Hu h Mppcal. 
 
 It cannot I)h ohje'^ted that the Province of Man- 
 itoba in not entith^d to the di8|>osition8 of the " Brit 
 ish North America Act" relative to Kdiication, h(* 
 cauRe the Act of Manitoba enacted subsi-qnently on 
 the Name subject. Such pretension ia quite inpd- 
 iniRHable.it would la* equally true toHav that the Gtii 
 clause of the " Manitoba Act" relative to the Lieu- 
 tenant Governor being identically the fame as the 
 58th section of the '* British North America Act ** 
 all the diH))08itious of the latter relative. to the Lieii- 
 tenant (Joveruors of the different Provinces do not 
 apply to the liieutenant Governor of Manitoba. 
 
 The disponitions of one law cannot annul the 
 dispositions of the other except when cont» adictory ; 
 but such cannot occni when both Acts say the 
 same thing, or when the one amplifies on the con- 
 tents of the othi'r. " . '"' . '■' 
 
 The relation between the two Acts in question 
 is as follows : The 93rd section of the " British 
 NTorth An) erica Act" recognizes the power of the 
 Provincial Legislatures to pass laws relative to 
 education, l)Ut subject to the disponitions mentioned 
 in its subsections, and that, I repeat, is the law in 
 Manitoba as well as in other Provinces, while the 
 22nd section of the Manitoba Act recognizes to the 
 Legislature of this Province the power to [)ass laws 
 relative to education, but subject to the dispositions 
 
^4§&mi^ 
 
 9\ 
 
 m»nti«>iu'«l //* its oWH itnb i^i^rfivvs ; ami |»IraM* oli- 
 Hcivt* that tlie!»<' ).-ist di><|><mitioris, far from heiiig in 
 o|i|K)Ritioii to thow of the *• 1^1 itihli North Amirica 
 Act," ai'e tiH'ivIy >in fxtension arul «le\ « lojmient of 
 th« Rxnw', conHrquently hoth Aotn coueiir in j»rant- 
 iiitf |»rotection to theC/atholio minority of Manitoho, 
 and jn>tify th»* asHi-rtion that the minority of the 
 Prairie Province is hetti-r Haf.-j^uarded than that of 
 the ohl ProvincPH. 
 
 The fact ia ohvions to anv one tlmt taken thn 
 troiihh^ to read the 22nd chinse of tlie Manitoba 
 Act, whih' iieunn^ in mind that the paid Act has 
 all the force of an Im|»erial Ac«. 
 
 '^2. '* In and foi the Province, the said Le^'ishitiire uiay 
 •xchisively make hiws In relation to education, suhjeet 
 and Hc 'ordin){ to th<i following provisions : 
 
 (1.) " Nothing in any such law shall prejudicially affect 
 any risrht or privilege with respect to denominational 
 schools which any class of persons have hy law or prac- 
 tice in the Provint'e at the Uaioo. 
 
 (2 ) " An appeal shall lie to the Governor.-Cieneral in 
 Council from any act or decision of the Legislature of 
 the Province, or of any provincial authority, aflfecting 
 any Right or Privilege of the Protestant oi Koman Catho- 
 lic minority of the Queen's suitjects in relation to Edu- 
 tion. 
 
 (3 ) *Ma case any such Provincial Law as from time 
 to time seemd to the Governor-Qeneral in Council requi- 
 site for the due execution of the provisions of this section, 
 is not made, or in case any «1ecision of the Governor-Ge- 
 neral in Council on any appeal under this section is not 
 duly executed by the proper Provincial authority in that 
 behalf, then, and in every such case, and a** far only as 
 the circumstances of each case require, the ParliHrnent of 
 (*anada may mike remedial laws for the due execution 
 of the provisions of this section, and of any decision of 
 he Governor-General in Council under this section " 
 
 T^~^'?7:jaKtfV,v vrj^ji 
 
SW; i.7-. J « a . T a« iV> .^Ti 
 
 6 
 
 
 oo 
 
 In penising the abov^o section it is easy to ob- 
 serve its losemblsince witli the 93i(l section of the 
 " British North America Act." What now re- 
 mains to (liscei'n is the ilijj'erent tcordings of tlie 
 two hiws. and then decide if the difference tends to 
 diminish or to amplify, on the gnarantee of pio 
 tectioii given to the minority of Manitoba. The 
 ditfen lice is as lollows : 
 
 Act of ]8>i7. 
 
 y.T In and for each Pro- 
 viNCR the Legislature . . . 
 
 (1.) iV^othiiig in any such 
 Law shall prej<idicially af 
 fet t any Kiirht or Privi'eiie 
 witli rvi*pect to Dendniina- 
 tional Schools, which a»»y 
 class of persons have by 
 Law .... 
 
 (2,) (Only for Ontario and 
 Quebec.) 
 
 (3.) Where in any Pro- 
 vince a system of Separate 
 or Dissentient Schools ex- 
 ists by Law at the Union, or 
 is thereafter established by 
 the Legislature of the Pro- 
 vince, an appeal shall lie to 
 
 Act of 1810. 
 
 22. In and for i he Pro- 
 viNCK the SAID legislature. . 
 
 (I.) Nothing in any such 
 Law shall prejudicially af- 
 fect any Ki^ht or Piivilege 
 with respect to Denomina- 
 tional Scliools, which any 
 class of persons have by 
 IjAw or Practice . . . 
 
 (2 ) An appeal shall lie to 
 the Governor - General in 
 
 the Governor - General in Council from anv Act or De- 
 Council from any Act or De-.cision of the LaoiSLATURE 
 cision of any Provincial of the Province, or of any 
 Authority affecting anyPROViNciAL Authority af- 
 Pight or Privilege of thelfecting any liight or Privi- 
 Protrstant or Poman ( atho- lege of the Protestant or Ro- 
 lic minority of the Queen'vS man Catholic minority of the 
 sul)jects in relation to tdu- Queen's subjects in relation 
 
 cation. 
 
 (4.) 
 
 to Education. 
 (3.) 
 
 There is not the slightest doubt that what precedes 
 
23 
 
 jdoves that tlie Manitoba Act amplifies on thr pro- 
 tection grant* d to tlie minorities by tlie Imperinl 
 Acir of 1807, instead of diminishing it. By tlie 
 law of 18^)7 the Legislature <,f each Province is 
 ohliged to sjdegna'd any Eight t-r Piivilege with 
 lespeefc to Denominational S« hools which any class 
 of ,)eiKons have by low, while by the Act of 1870 
 the LegislaUne of the Province of Manitoba hj«s 
 the same oblijjation conc'^rning the rights a«id pri- 
 vileges held by / w or j>r(ictief\ 
 
 By the Act of 1867 an appeal shall lie to the 
 Governor-General in Council, huf so/eJtj rrhena st/s- 
 tem of fieparote schools exhts by law ; while the 
 Manitoba Act authorizes the same appeal in any 
 case affectiyig any riyht or privilege even tvithovt 
 a systerii of education previously esUblished by 
 law. 
 
 The Manitoba Act extending and anplifying the 
 protection, lessens in the same proportion the power 
 of tlie Provincial Legislature on the subject. 
 
 T am not the onlv one that views the matter in this 
 light, but among other testimony in corroboration, 
 1 could submit the appreciation of three important 
 newspaf)ers of the Province of Ontario, the ^'Toronto 
 Daily Crlobe,^^ the " Ottawa Free Press" and the 
 " Hamilton Even ivy Times." 
 
 1. The Toronto Daily Globe. This paper had at 
 first countenanced the movement hostile to Denom- 
 inational Schools of Manitoba. Mature considera- 
 tion of the subject, and sense of justice subsequent- 
 ly [trevailed, as it a])pears in the issue of 27th No- 
 vehiber, 1876, of which I give the following ex- 
 tracts : 
 
 
(i 
 
 *.£ "^ *•• ^ Tt ?i -'' - * "^ J *** ' ■'" -"^ *F .^^rt* ■'■•'* ■*" •T* 
 
 24 
 
 ; prnur kducation in Manitoba. 
 
 •'Wu noticed recently the movement in Manitoba liaving 
 for its object the reform or improvement of the Pnblic 
 School law of that Province, an<1 referre<l to the efforts 
 made in other parts of the Dominion to i fleet such ar- 
 rangements as. while securinir the practicalde system of 
 education, are designed to protect the rights an<l consult 
 the conscientious scruples of minorities. Hut it must not 
 be understoixl from this that in Manitoba, any more than 
 elsewhere the rights of minorities ('an be overriddtn or 
 ignored. 
 
 'i'hi' l.ocal Legislature may, of course, eft'ect any chang- 
 es ii the administration of the school laws and not violate 
 existing rights and piivileges, but can do no more than 
 this. The Manitoba Act, which is the constitutional 
 charter of the Province of Manitobi, contains the same 
 provisions, that are to be found in the British North 
 America Act in regard to the rights of minoiities in the 
 other Provinces in this respect 
 
 The 22nd section itself, as well as the sub-sections, 
 adopt literally the text of the British North America Act. 
 It may be supposed, however, that the Manitoba Aet hav- 
 ing e^naneted from Dominion Parliament and not being as 
 was the British North America Act a product of Imperial 
 Legislatior, might be altered or .amended by the same au- 
 thority that originally enacted it But this has been 
 provided against by an Imperial Act, 34 and 35 Victoria. 
 Ohap. XXVNI, passed for the express purpose, among 
 other objects, of giving the Manitoba Act validity and 
 protecting the rights thereby conferred from the dan- 
 ger above su^gCNsted. 
 
 The Parhituient of Canada has no power to make the 
 smallest chango in the terms guaranteed by the Manitoba 
 Act ; aud that the Local Legislature can only <lo so in re- 
 spect of such matters as are specially confided to \^8 juris- 
 diction, of which as the quotation we have given from the 
 22nd section shows, the right of minorities as existent at 
 the time of union is not one." 
 
 2. " The Ottawa Free Press:' The journal of 
 the Capital before perusing the above article of 
 
 ■r'-t 
 
rpose, araonjj 
 
 . ' 25 
 
 »he a lobe and under the unfavorable impression 
 «;jius<mI Ity juiotlifr issue of the same organ,, wrote 
 MS foll«»v8 on the 1st Docpmher, 1876 : 
 
 SKPAUATE SCHOOLS IN MANITOBA. 
 
 *' A discussion it* going on in the Province of Manitoba 
 just now on the stihject of the school system of that Pro- 
 vince. The agitation which is now sought to be raised, 
 apparently more by the Toronto Gloltf than by the pvoj>le 
 of the Prairie frovince looks ostensibly to the foUoMiug 
 objtctf*, vi«. : the abolition of the jtrestnt Board of Educa- 
 tion nnd the establishment ot a nonsectOtrian syhtem, i-om- 
 pulsory use of Engljsh text-books id the school'*, all public 
 schools to be Kubjet t^ to the same regulations ; the ajij oint- 
 ment of insptctovs; establishment of a training school 
 for teachers, and a new plan for the allotment scLool 
 moneyp. Tliis means, in short, the total aboiitiou of the 
 separate school system, and lons'idering the nature of the 
 subject, and the delicate character of the interests aiffect- 
 ed, it appeal s to us that it would be the wiser course on 
 the part of our Tonmto contempora,ry to leave the agita- 
 tion to those more immediately interested. 
 
 The oiily possible result can be to stir up sectarian 
 strife and heart burnings such as unhappily prevail in 
 New Brunswick, and which are most undesirible ele- 
 ments to introduce in a young and growing community 
 cmprising a mixed population, both as to language and 
 rilig'on. 
 
 It is an agitation that could not fail to be attended with 
 a considerable degree of asperity, trt nchiii^ upon daiiger- 
 ous ground, which it would be well to avoid and which it 
 is no part of the duty of the people or jpurnals m this part 
 of the Dominion to assist in bringing about. 
 
 The discussion is moie injudicious, as there is no possl 
 sible means of attaining the object sought professedly by 
 this agitation, The Manitoba Act under whpi^e authori- 
 ty separate sphoolji exist in that Province,, 3Jid which 
 forms a portion of the cohstitutioia of the c«juntry, was by 
 Imperial Act established beyond tlie power of the Parlia- 
 ment of the Dominion or Legislature of the Province to 
 alter. . " ■ . -i. j ■ ■ :■ ... . ( -l • ■•,. ■- .s 
 
 ■■>.■■ i 
 
 »%*».■*«' .-. - '''#■'*' 
 
4 
 
 :ii;i:1:i^^%T.T\•<ev•:;;^e»'!5t^c's:aJL<ui»'-«'?r-^ -wiw* -nw.*.* 
 
 i I 
 
 20 
 
 Separate schools in Manitoli.'i can only ba disestaltlished 
 by th« Act of the Catholic Ix'dy itself, and we may rest 
 assured, from the wtll-known policy of th;it denomination, 
 that such action will never bo initiated by tht ni. Under 
 all these circum**t;inces, as we have ]>ointed ont before, the 
 agitation of the subject and especially its agitati»»n from 
 outside the Province, can lead to no result so far as its profes- 
 sed object is concjerned, while it may l>e productive, of very 
 undesirable results, by stirring up sectarian strife, dis- 
 cord, producing irritation and treat inju' heartburninus and 
 animosities which would disturb th»^ harmony and might 
 seriously injure the welfare of the Province." 
 
 3. The tfamilton Kvemwj Times. Tho }t!)Ov« ar- 
 ticde of the " Fre.e, Pres,<" and that of the Gluhe 
 which it combats sngsfesfed the foilowiug rciuaiks 
 which I read in the Htimilton Evening Tiiues of the 
 gsh Dec. 1876 : 
 
 '^TheGlohe is urging that the schools in Manitoba should 
 be m;ide unsectarian, while the Ottawa Free Prens 
 shows vtiy clearly that it is impossible that they would 
 be so made without Lnperial Legislation. Manitoba has, if 
 anything, a stronger Imperial guirante for the continuance 
 of its separate schools tlian the older Provinces, fo that the 
 discussion in Manitoba of the question raisetl by the Globe 
 can only do mischief without any possiltility of good re- 
 sults jf any kind arrising. The example of Ontario proves 
 that it would be a good thing if all the I'rovince had sep- 
 arate schools, and it is most certainly an unmingkd evil to 
 raise an agitation to take them from Provinces that al- 
 reaily have them, moreesjiecially, if those who agitate for 
 this ean only have the agitation for thefr piins." 
 
 The three above joiiTnals, together with many 
 others, some of which, althoui^h hostile to separate 
 sclioois, are of my opinion that the establish nient 
 in Manitoba of a system of education opposed to 
 that, now existing is impossible. 
 
 The antagonists of the Catholic schools of our 
 Province feel encouraged in their endeavours to 
 
27 
 
 oveitbrow tliein, because the "Coinuion School Act, 
 1871," of Nt'w Brunswick was not disallowed, and 
 that, as yet, the Catholics of that Province have to 
 abide by it. Evidently, prejudice blindfolds, other- 
 wise it is imj; ssibie to not see the essential dif- 
 ereru'e between the position of the Catholics of 
 Mrinitoba in 1877, and that of their co-religionists 
 of New Brunswick in 1871. All the aryuments 
 employed a'j^ainst the Catholics of New Brunswick 
 and thn lejiul opinions adverse to them, may be 
 resuuied as ft d lows: the law having conferred no 
 right or fjrivilege to the Catholics be/ore or after the 
 Uftio)!, they do not enjoy that of Appeal, consequently 
 the Lei/islature oj Aeiv Jh'unsuick has an open 
 Jield for legislation on education. 
 
 Even with the supposition that this opinion be 
 correct, who can fail to discover that it is impossi- 
 ble to a))ply it to Manitoba, the position being en- 
 tirely diffeient. 
 
 New Brunswick had no law establishing se- 
 parate schools, while, on the contrary, Manitoba 
 has laws establishing them. The privileges enjoyed 
 by the Catholics of New Brunswick were not con- 
 ferred by law ; in Manitoba it is the law that con- 
 fers on Catholics the rights and j)rivileges they 
 enjoy. The sub-sections of section 93 having no 
 application in New Brunswick, the Imperial Act 
 did not in any way restrict the powers of the Le- 
 gislatui e of that Province in the enactment of its 
 etlueational laws, nor grant to the minority the 
 right of Appeal, while the 3rd and 4th sub-sections 
 having their entire application in Manitoba, the 
 Imperial Act lessens in as much the right of Ap- 
 
 „_„«,., 
 
 
 \:f^ 
 
 ,W^^i' 
 
■f ■ 
 
 4 , 
 
 .••^,.riiftr:2%j«r;x.^*s»je«-J3»'« 
 
 i'' 
 
 I i 
 
 • 28 
 
 pHil. In a word, as lont; as yes wil! not mean no 
 atiil no ineaii i/e^, tlie :irgum*»nt8 hron<]ryit aijainat 
 tiie OatholicH of Vew Pnniswick have all tht'ir force 
 ill favor of the Catholics of Manitoba; and that, 
 let it he rememb-*r -d, even without considering 
 anythinif else than the British North America Act, 
 and adoptinjj the interpretation of th^^ sime Af^t hs 
 jfiven by those who placed the C itholics of New 
 Brnnswick in the situation thev so relnctantlv un- 
 der<;o. 
 
 The impossibility to abolish separate schools in 
 'Mafiitobii becomes still mote apparent when, after 
 examiniuiif the Act of 18G7, we re-consider th^it of 
 ^1870. By the latter, which is that of Manitoba, 
 
 ■ it is not necessary, as already shewn, that the rights 
 
 . or j>rivileges enjoyed by the n)i!^ority be conferred 
 bff the law; it snlfices that they be so bi/ practice. 
 This last word alone, had it been found "in the Act 
 of 1867, would have safeguarded the Catholics of 
 ^ew Brunswick. 
 
 . By the Act of 1870, the right of Appeal is not, 
 as in the Act of 1867, subject to the condition of 
 the pre-existene of a system of separate or dissev- 
 tient schools estabi'shed by law. No, by the Act of 
 
 ' 1870 there is always room forAppeal^ from any 
 violation of right, even without tJw pre-establishment 
 by law of a system of Denominational schools ; for it 
 nijiist be observed that tlie clause cloes not determine 
 ^wHat must he the origin of such rij^ht; it suffices 
 that tliey have been and are enjoyed either by law, 
 
 ' bv practice, bv treaties, or in fiuv way whatsoever. 
 
 , AVi^ljout hrtving ever been in the councils of 
 
 those who drew up the law of 1870, it is easy to 
 
2?. 
 
 see why tlie same Act in its section 22 re|»pat».-, 
 while niodifyini? it, the snctHn 93 of the Act rf 
 1867. Thn storm that hr«»ke out in Nvw BruiiR- 
 wick in 1871 lia<l already had its forehodings the 
 vear before. The framers of the (\>nfederatitin 
 noticed that they luul involimtHii^v left an oniisvsion 
 in the law ot 1867, relative t" edncation ; and in 
 order to not expose the Province of Manitoba to 
 the dirticulties they foresaw, l»nt too htte, for New 
 Brunswick, they resolved to comjdete the Act of 
 1867 by that of 1870. 'I'his explains how the two 
 Acts differ while resembling each other. 
 
 Whatever may hj^ve V)een he niotive of this dou- 
 ble legislature on the same subject, both Acts ex- 
 ist ; they both safeguard the minority, and come 
 to paralyze any effort made to depiive it of its ac- 
 ipiired rights. 
 
 I had just tinished what precedes when 1 receiv- 
 ed the *' />«?Vfy /'rf?e /V««» " of the 19lh January. 
 1877, in which I tirid that the Protestant section of 
 the Bom rd of Education had assembled on the eve. 
 [at Winnipeg, and that an Executive Conimittee of 
 jthe same liad submitted the draft of a bill, which 
 jthey were instructed to prepare by a r« solution 
 jfiassed Oct. 14th, last. / 
 
 In November, 1876, the ''Toronto Globe/' had 
 already disclosed tlie mystery, and made known to 
 tht» jmblic in Ontario what hatl been withheld from 
 I he public in Manitoba, notwithstanding the pecii- 
 liar interest the latter should t*ike in transactions 
 ths«t concern themselves alone. 
 
 The ujeasure proposed and now published by the 
 Votestant Section of^ the Board of Education«is, 
 
 ■«'Mt»*-«---^'--; 
 
 mfmm 
 
y '■ 
 
 ■•.•■■ p — ■ 'V.jiM'w -»,-•» '•..'•^ a5r'i 
 
 30 
 
 as it appears, based on nine points of wliich the two 
 principal are, " The estaUlishuieut of a purely non- 
 sectarian system ofpiililic schools," an«l ''the aboli- 
 tion of the Board of Kduc.ition in its present sec- 
 tional character, and tlie appointment of a new 
 Board without sections." 
 
 In the piiecedin^ pHges I h-iveo[)posi'd the scheme 
 in question, but 1 must confess that I opposed it 
 without bein«^ either able or willing to believe that 
 it had been formed by a Board includinjL^ iue?i of 
 learning, high standing in society and desi'rvedly 
 enjoying respect and esteem. . I did not think 
 that a j)lan Vjearing such a taint of ille^^ality could 
 be the fact of a Board established by the law and 
 acting officially in its name. 
 
 The few details furnished by the press coiicern- 
 ing the meeting of the 19th inst.. ha e a signifi- 
 cance that will escape no one. 
 
 The Protestant section of the Board is composed 
 of twelve members, only Jive were present, and on- 
 of them could not repair from observing that he 
 " considered the presence of only five members 
 when so imj)ortant a matter was to come into con- 
 sideration as very discouiaging." 
 
 " The Keverend President and the Keverei;d 
 Secretary expiessed a doubt as to the p<tlicy of dis- 
 cussing f he proposed measure when there was only 
 a bare quorum of the Board present." 
 
 Another Rt verend member ''expressed his per- 
 sonal views as strongly opposed to the teaching of 
 religion in th«^ public schools," while a lay member 
 favored the inci.lcation in the public schools of fun- 
 damental i-eligi(.us principles," 
 
'*• '^It^^v' 
 
 3t 
 
 As^^ oft^Mi (K'cnrs p phrrlhusumnn*' it waH Kiml- 
 «• Iv resolved tluit the Board adjonrn till Friday, 
 *' flic 2nd prox., at 2 p.m , anri that the draft, of 
 '• the |)i'o|»()S( d hill lie revist'd and printed, and 
 *• coiiii^s sent to the Menihers hefoie that, date." 
 
 The aliove meetinsf, and the circumstances that 
 t'liMiMctf rizf it, fiu-ninh ahnndant matter for com- 
 iiM'nt, and such will certainly l>e j^ivcu later. F«r 
 my ]iart, T must Just now, keep M-ithin the hounds 
 of the leii:al question. Tarn quite convinced, and I 
 think r have proved, that the law is contrary to 
 tlie pro])os;ed chanfje, ami 1 have not the slightest 
 douht tliat the T.ecfi'^lative and Executive authoiities 
 whose c^ufl lined actiori is r'equesite to the )»as8}\ge 
 and enforcements of our statutes, will stand to their 
 <liit,y, repttlse the injustice that threatens the min- 
 ority and riot suffer such a stain to soil tlie history 
 of our Province. 
 
 I shidl only ad<l a few words to explain the rea- 
 son of uiy extfeme surprise, on seeing that thePro- 
 tostfint section not only ask for a thing illegal in 
 iff<fJ/, hut, moreover, ask for it in a manner con- 
 Irartf to the spirit of our Provincial statutes and 
 iinplioitly condemned thereby. 
 
 Our Piovinoial laws create a General Board oj 
 
 Eihication and invest it with po^r to make such 
 
 retaliations as it may tiiink proper for tho general 
 
 \ onjavizati on of schools. This Board has conse- 
 
 mnoiitly the duty to consider the general interests 
 
 \ot erhimtion, and is composed of twenty-one mem- 
 
 hers, twelve Protestants, and nine Catholics. 
 
 The same Provincial law i-equires that the Gen- 
 Uir-.i] Bou'd shall resolve itself into two Sectional 
 
 ^WW^ 
 
 l-^ .--r- 
 
 ■■".^ 
 
 
^■ " ' ■ ^' 
 
 ••^*,'im'tjm 7 k 
 
 ,ir»<r.u-4» '-x-j "xy* ■««».•«»• 
 
 •f. 
 
 82 
 
 BourdH or oomiuitteeH, tiie on« ftunposMl ot' tfi»' 
 Protestmit, ami tlio other of the C'rttholio inMm'M'rs, 
 of the Haid (lenernl Board, and that to each of 
 those respectively \ye referred the aflminhtration of 
 thti schotfls beloiuflnfj to the Hectioti. ' • ' ' ( • 
 
 The sectional Boards hax'e consequently the duty 
 tc consider the fMirtioMhir interent and niinaf/eine/tt 
 of the srhooln of their reaitevtive <.hwt mi nations. 
 
 The General Boaid may perhaps be styled a Fed 
 eral Senate of Educ-ation and the sectional Boartis 
 are the executive committees of \lieir res[>ective 
 sections. This is not at all umisuui. and is exem- 
 plifittd in numerous wganizations, Uinong others in 
 the case of certain imiversities that have their Sen- 
 ate, and besides that, distinct Pacultif'S enjoyiny; 
 complete indej)endence amon;,' themselves, and even 
 with rejjard to thoir S<^nate except in matt»Ta con- 
 cerning the general orgai. i .-ition. 
 
 I fail to become convimced that it needs an nw 
 usual amount of intelligence to detect ftie diffnrence 
 that exists between the duties of the (jren^-ral Board 
 and those of the Sectional Boards ; no more than 
 that it needs an extraordinary amount of good wil? 
 to allow these different Boards to'act side by sMh- 
 without encroach nmnt or uneasiness. '* 
 
 One must have^iver studied our law of educa- 
 tion, or else faintly endeavoi'etl to penetrate its op 
 eration, to say that : " under the present law we 
 have virtually two systeiris covering the sam*^ 
 ground, which are both impractical and ineffici- 
 ent." 
 
 We have hut one »if stem oj education^ which likf* 
 all othier organ izaticms, at the while, Legislativt" 
 
r «i* •■• fm »» •ti^'^m' 
 
 ^glu^ 
 
 A of til" 
 
 ,<» eacli of 
 Mratlmt of 
 
 ly tbe duty 
 nanaf/einent 
 nations. 
 
 iial Bojiivis 
 respectivH 
 n\ is exoin- 
 u otlieiH ill 
 e their St'ii- 
 .>« enjoying 
 es, and «5ven 
 irtttt'ia con- 
 
 ■■■; • 1 > • 
 
 leeds ail n\\ 
 te .liffHi'enew 
 pn»^ ml Board 
 nioiv than 
 of good wiir 
 sidt* V>y si<W 
 
 \v ot* ('idiica- 
 trate its op 
 lenfc law we 
 the sam*^ 
 and inelfici- 
 
 h 
 
 wliioh lik^* 
 Legislative* 
 
 33 
 
 anil aiiiniiii^tiHtiv*', comiMclu lids diflrin I nmiidoa- 
 tioiis, I lint is \o say ; t/f (ic^nidl lion id, Sect'toiml 
 liiXddK, tlif SiijitriiiUudi'.iilK. tin lioiiiil of jf'ni,stf('f<, 
 d'c. dtc. Ah iiuuiv distinct liranclns <,;r':tt't' d on tlar 
 sarnc tr«'(*, t1!H Law. wliciii-c tl, cy «lcri\«' the saj) 
 that iiiijKutH tlicni life juk! iii:iii.t;.iiis ti.» ir s(r('ii;j;lli 
 and \iy«'i', jD'ovidcd cacli luaJicli r* main m its own 
 i)l(ivH. Unfbitmiatcly, llic la>t <*< »,(li(ion nv;is donr 
 Hwav Nvitli, ill tlic occmremc \ lak«' ohjtctiui lo. 
 
 What was considficd in tlu- inccling ol tlic 10th 
 Inst., is undoiihtedly a question cf tj''i(t red inn rest 
 in (nlucation, ilicrcfnic acctnliu-; t<» tlic s-jiiiit and 
 even to the Icttoi' of law, Ixci \\\r> the juoVinu' of 
 oui (jenend Jiotrrd. To ti^at sncli (un .'-tion o\ i(('7t(ral 
 lidercst in a Scrtio/nd Hoard is to make little of it, 
 und to I'odueo it to tht; |)ioj)oi'tic>n of a dtnoniina 
 tional 01' rather of a Sootarian ohject. 
 
 Since members of the Board of IMucation tliought 
 pi'oper to agitate a qnestion of sucli magnitnde and 
 universal interest, why did they not bring it before 
 the (reneral Board ] 
 
 Would it be, perchance, that feeling the proposed 
 change to be so oflensive to Catholics it was thought 
 more advisable to work unilerhand, and to not even 
 mention the object in view to the nine Catholic 
 members of the board ] 
 
 If on the contrary the intended schenu was sup- 
 ported by good and solid reasons, itsanthois should 
 have been glad to make it known to their Catholic 
 colleagues. Reason is always at liome among sen- 
 ^•ible jK'ople. Who knows but that the Catholics 
 themselves might have something reasonable to say 
 on the subject 1 It is with the strike of ideas, as 
 
 f»s^ 
 
:u 
 
 wif.l) that f>t fliiilH ; it iiiuy j;iv«' li«;lit, aii'l Huch li^^ht 
 MS iiiiiv soiiM'Miiuvs iiiodifv opiiiinns. Tliis whh thi* 
 • !iH»f wirJi ilic Tui»)iiti) (ilolh; in tli<' month of Nov- 
 cmiIm'i-, a'Iu'm iirit'i'o\|U't»s.sini( its vi«!WH it favor of 
 tlu; |)l.iti SDuii jift"!- <it!(!l;ti«Ml tlmt the hiiiih' wuh an 
 iiii|)().ssi>)iliiv. 
 
 It svius t'(Mi.si4('i'(<l vvitli icusoii, as *' very discour 
 a^^iiij^ liiat yt) iin|)oit;(iit a inattrr " sliouM he referr- 
 «'il It) tlic trilmnal of '• five " .)u(l;fis, that had no 
 rij^ht to d*'(Md(; ollic-ially on th(^ matter. A little 
 more (tis iissioii ini<,'lit Iiavo l)ron;^lit light, certainly 
 not projudiciiil to the .sul>je(;t. 
 ; Still mojt', Protestants have the majority in the 
 Board ; even witli the .su|»|»ositiui), althongh sucli 
 a<;einw im}»ijssil»l(!, tiiat they had no good reasons in 
 support of tijeir views, or that the Catholics had 
 none t > ojtpOM- to tlit'in ; or wJiat is hettvr still, 
 that th'^ con\icfion.s on t>oth sides are so fiom that 
 it would be useless to attempt to modify them, th«^ 
 advantage was still siding with the niimher ; and 
 as twelve exceed nine, if the twelve he as imani 
 mous as the nine, they wouKl have carried the 
 nu;asiire in the (general ]»oard. 
 
 Had the whole transaction h.^en conducted in 
 that way, the liieasure would appear to me equally 
 Wet/cd in itself ; hut 1 could not, an<l T would not 
 blame the mode of action. \i wouM be simply a re- 
 yular aut/toritt/ acting o/fieiftU// in matters of its 
 ORDINARY competence, and in the manner provided 
 by the law. 
 
 Unfortunately, quite the reverse took place, ono 
 section onlv was invited to meet ; some of its mem 
 bers answered the call ; others abstained, and there, 
 
 I '' 
 
 m '^' 
 
 m '' 
 
 .'I 
 ii 
 
^i^rn^. 
 
 le of its mem 
 ued, and then-, 
 
 :<5 
 
 »ni»l<'»" the ffrfiiTicfi iiiHHhc. ttfUHf iA .in <t//lrl(i/ position 
 i\\i' «; ntlciiKMi cxaiiiiui'd imd dtMudcd on a 4{u<^sf,i()ii 
 imt Ihloii^iiij^ t'» tluMii f/.y a />'"^//, tlnMi;^li t.\n'y tuny 
 I'Liini till' riyflit to <'Xiiiiiin(' it (ts indiriihuilx, and 
 ?lii'V dci'i'U'd III tlif iiuiif <ff' till', /iiKixf that the en 
 (li'iivor must he niiidc to orusli tlit* Ciitliolic'w ncu- 
 
 fio'i. 
 
 1 
 
 ii>t(Ni( 
 
 1 of 1 
 
 U\l 
 
 fh 
 
 HymjLi; ih< tuxcic^'x n 
 
 h 
 
 ihuf'f 
 
 oin 
 
 if< 
 
 or 
 
 fh 
 
 'h-lHSt 
 
 h'Cft lis t(> til'' (.'liMiijL^j's that iiii^^ht satisfv iho.sc 
 tlnit nrr xaifl to In- dissatisHrd with tlic actual man 
 .i;;('iiu'nt of their schools, why do thoy endeavor to 
 throw on the Citholic section the respoiiKiWility 
 that (loi'S no! l)eloii«r lo jt, niid that in iiMtters 
 which l>y the uctwai law, aie luiyoiid its coiitr<»l ? 
 
 What a <|Uerr id(»a to faiuy that all that i.ssaid 
 a^'diist the adiniiiisi ration of schools will lie st<ij)j»ed 
 liy iMoiioiinciii;!; a^.tii.sf the Catholic .section, the 
 t'liiioiis sentence : "Lt't it he <(esfroi/<'<r'l "iJeJnmhi 
 vsl ('(irfh(f(/<>.^' 
 
 It is woids as with diions, th<^ emptiest aie the 
 most sonorous, and cicp, venm. Kei'okk is spoken 
 of. and irifh ihctbixj^ vnrif hitj lOon/, it is t!iou<;ht 
 thatti e popnhition is to lie startled, that the ]Mem- 
 Ic'is of the l.e;j;islature will he in/hn'ncoii b// the 
 t'i'ar of /(>^iii(j flifir xeiifs <ii the next (jeneral elc 'tion ; 
 and with the aid of the strataiiom, personal views 
 and sccrt'i animosities are expected to ))i'evail aj^ainst 
 < 'i'tlioli<-s. !^^vid(>ntly this last i"sult, tlR)u;(h not 
 piot'fssediv. is ill r(nilitv tiie sole ohiect in view. 
 
 In the name of tile law and of justice let me be 
 |»'iinitt''d to make an appeal to the good sense of 
 thi' Pnitestant population and to the Members that 
 repicsi'nt it in the IjCgislative Assembly, to beg 
 <>i \\\>'\v. not to toi\'ot tliat the section of the Board 
 
 * , 
 
 
 ■•^■'^•^w*^^^'**fflfrT«pi(ll 
 
L -J3;--r.^=^-' 
 
 
 '-■.r".r~;;!3n^rT-\cr.3^v.»'"?iVfc^Vifi,i-^«i'if^'"^rar^< 
 
 3t; 
 
 thai <-Xclusively govctiis their .schools lias the? righf. 
 to do by itHoir, and f\»r tlicin, all that is necessary 
 for their good adiniuisf ration, and that tli(» re- 
 form spcik^-n of is. nieiely in >iew to injure Oatho- 
 lie scliools. Tlie new sclu me ail'ords no ww facili- 
 ty for th', s'uccess of Proff.8litnt schools, whih^ it wonld 
 .lar*ie!y inip-Hle that of the Catholic schools. Al)Ove 
 all, th(^ scheme that is intended is illegal in itself, 
 aii'.l in the inKnner it has been prepand by the 
 sectional Board. 
 
 I sav the sectional Boai'd, notwitlistandintj mv 
 
 convictions that there are men in that Board wor- 
 
 itliy of my respect, and animated with such broa(l 
 
 views that they woidd not wilfully mingle in a 
 
 manu3uvre so narrow and unworthy of them. 
 
 I' I 
 
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