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 .. - - — "^ . \ 
 
 EQUAL RIGHTS. 
 
 THE LETTERS 
 
 OF THE: 
 
 , Dl 
 
 Recent Modifications of the Separate School 
 Law are in substance what our platform de- 
 mands— DR. OAVBN. 
 
 All attempts to make party capital out of 
 the Separate School question are either ignor- 
 ant or dishonest.— DR. CAVEN. 
 
REV. DR. OAVEN'S PUBLIC LETTER OP APRIL 
 
 29th, 1890. 
 
 In view of the near approach of the elections for the Legislature 
 of Ontario I desire to say a word respecting the relation of the 
 Equal Rights Association to party. 
 
 The Association is not itself a party in the ordinary sense. It 
 has nothing to say regarding the questions which divide 
 Oonservatives and Reformers as such Both ifliese parties are 
 represented — in what relative proportions I cannot venture to say 
 — in the membership of the Association, and the very existence 
 of ^he Association depends upon the scrupulous impartial- 
 ity with which all matters that afiect or involve party 
 shall be treated. 
 
 Equal Rights men bind themselves to n»aintain the principles of 
 their alliance as set forth in the platform of the Association ; other- 
 wise they are as free as ever to give their support where they 
 choose. The Asso«iation represents an im|X)rtant principle — the 
 distinction between Chuwsh and State ; and it would prevent all 
 undue ecclesiastical interference in civil affairs. It is organised to 
 defend and to propagate this principle. 
 
 The Provincial Association cannot forbid those who in any con- 
 siituency favor its views from bringing forward candidates who ar« 
 pledged to support those views. Localities must have the right to 
 do so should they deem such action prudent. But none who 
 'value the principles of Equal Rights will lend themselves 
 to any sinister method, or permit the Association to become 
 an instrument in the hands of designing men for the ad- 
 vancement of party. Should anjrthing of this kind be at- 
 tempted in any place every true member of the Associa- 
 tion will regard it as base and immoral, and as fitted to dp 
 irreparable damage to a most necessary movement. To all 
 men of any party, who have shown no interest in our or- 
 ganization till they imagined that it might be used for per- 
 
H 
 
 -sonal or party ends, conscientious and intelligent fWends of 
 Equal Rights will give a wide berth. 
 
 The great question of Provincial politics to which our 
 principles apply is that of Separate Schools. It does not 
 appear to me that the past relation of the parties to this 
 question permits any line to be drawn by one Association 
 in favor of or against one party rather than the other. 
 Whatever accretions have gathered around the Separate 
 School Act have had, I think, the concurrence of aU. 
 Neither party can charge the other with developing 
 Separate Schools; while the recent modifications of the 
 Separate School law are in substance what our platform 
 demands. 
 
 Should the views recently advanced in the address by the Pro- 
 vincial Council of the Equal Rights Association, respecting the 
 abolition of Separate Schools, receive due endorsation and find a 
 good measure of support in the community (as I trust they will), an 
 issue of very great importance, both in Provincial and Dominion 
 politics, will have to be decided. Meanwhile, the Association will 
 endeavor to bear its part in forming public opinion ; but should 
 constituenaies wish to ascertain the opinion of candidates upon a 
 question of deep significance — a question which, in the judgment 
 of most who are watching the educational movement both in Europe 
 and America, must come to the front — they cannot be blamed for 
 doing so. 
 
 Let all friends of Equal Rights who are more anxious to 
 have our principles prevail than to secure a party triumph 
 act in concert, wlt^ wise forbearance and with fidelitv and 
 honor. A time has come to test us whether we are w ^rthy 
 to be entrusted with the defence of a great cause ; a cause 
 which has no party significance, and which, let me say, can 
 hurt no party which will not make war upon it. 
 
 The writer is entirely responsible for this letter, which is not in 
 -any degree cflScial ; at the same time he is confident that he ex- 
 preBses the opinion of the excellent men of all parties with whom 
 I at has been his privilege to act in the Equal Rights Association. 
 
 Toronto, April 29. WM. CAVEN. 
 
REV. DR. OAVEN'S PUBLIC LETTER OF MAY 
 
 *10TH, 1890. 
 
 To the Editor of The Mail : 
 
 Sm, — It is perhaps too m ich to expect that in the heat of an 
 eleetiou contest keen partisans should refrain f/ora seeking to use 
 for their own ends the utterances of a body which wishes to stand 
 absolutely free from party. 
 
 The document recently issued by the Equal Rights 
 Association is not intended to be, as in my judgment it is 
 not capable of being fairly, used against one party rather 
 than another. I must repeat what I said in a letter which 
 you were good enough to publish on the 30th of April, that 
 all attempts to make party capital out of the Separate 
 School question are either ignorant or dishonest, and will be 
 discountenanced by every fair-minded man who knows a 
 little of Oanadian history. It were a shameless thing for ( 
 either party to mr<ke the other responsible for extending the ( 
 privileges of Separate Schools, and almost equally shame- ^ 
 less for the commimity or any considerable section of it t& 
 lay the responsibihty ezduAively upon our legislators. 
 What has been done, whether for good or evil, was done with but 
 little criticism or remonstrance 
 
 Questions relating to Separate Schools have now been raised, and 
 for my own part I am so anxious to have these considered on their 
 merits, that I must regard as an enemy to our cause the man 
 who would prejudice the discussion by making it subserve 
 party interests. Conscientiously representing the principles which 
 they believe to be important, Equal Rights men will, I am sure, be 
 faithful to them and look straight forward, seekin.*^ rather to gain 
 the adhesion to our cause of all who love equity and freedom than 
 to take ground which would necessarily ensure, for a time at least, 
 the antagonism of one or other of the political parties. I am glad 
 when men of either party enunciate opinions which I deem to be 
 
sound on the principles of our platform, and so far as our Legisla- 
 ture or Administration takes action in accordance with these prin- 
 ciples I would heartily recognize it. I desire, therefore, to say 
 <l speak for myself) 4hat the measures adopted in regard to 
 French Schools appear to be satisfactory, as does the legis- 
 lation of last session respecting Separate School supporters. 
 Whether the entire provisions of the statute on this latter 
 subject are in the best shape is a point on which I am 
 hardly qualified to offer an opinion. 
 
 With the exception of what is said regarding the f .bolition of 
 Separate Schools, there is nothing in the recent address which is 
 not contained, explicity or implicity, in the resolutions adopted by 
 the Convention in June last. This larger question, I humbly think, 
 should be earnestly considered by our people, and is not prematurely 
 brought forward ; but till public opinion declares itself with 
 suflacient authority it were unreasonable to expect that any 
 Government should stake its existence on definite action in 
 relation to it. But, unless we have failed to observe what is 
 taking place both in the United States and in Canada, we must be 
 aware that the question of Separate Schools is not yet settled. It 
 is easy — but it is futile — to say that Separate Schools are guaran- 
 teed by our constitution ; or that two sets of Public Schools are as 
 satisfactory as one ; or that England, in which denominational 
 schools exist side by side with Board schools, may be taken as our 
 pattern in a composite system ; or that our Boman Catholic fellow- 
 •citizens will establish voluntary schools if we abolish Separate 
 Schools, thus defeating the end which we are supposed to have in 
 -view in seeking to unify primary education. The answer to all 
 these allegations is that a country such as ours must have liberty to 
 deal with all questions which immediately affect the development 
 of national life, and that, irrespective of the traditions and 
 praotice of the old lands — much as we owe to them and much as 
 we love them — we must in our new country keep Church and 
 States separate, refusing to bestow from the public exchequer 
 endowments, or subventions, or gifts upon Churches or upon strictly 
 denominational objects. Here is a clear principle, easily understood 
 
by all, the observance of which would save immense trouble to the- 
 State, while it would really benefit the Church and religion. Let 
 those who believe in a State Church hold their opinion, but let 
 them recognize the necessity of observing — in a province sudh as 
 Ontario at least — the course here indicated. 
 
 As long as Separate Schools exist by authority of the State 
 they should be under regulations identical with those which govern 
 the Public Schools, except in so far as the special character which, 
 belongs to them or the provisions of the British North America 
 Act determine otherwise. I can hardly see how this statement can 
 be controverted, and it covers, if I mistake not, what is said on this 
 subject in the Address, while it supplies a comparatively easy rule 
 for the Legislature to follow. 
 
 The Equal Rights Association will be regarded, I trust, as 
 acting fairly towards the parties in setting forth its views in good 
 time for all to consider them ; and who can object to the closing 
 words : " Candidates in the field should be approached by our 
 friends in the constituencies, and he who — other things being 
 equal — is found to be most in accordance with our principles should 
 receive their hearty and undivided support," 
 
 Yours, etc., 
 
 WM. CAVEN. 
 
 Toronto, Mav 10.