The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-31 00:00:00

Dr. GILOOLEY proposed the next resolution :—" That the
interference of the State in public education should be con-
fined to rendering impartial aid towards the establishment
and maintenance of schools, and insuring their efficiency by
a well-regulated inspection ; and that where the Govern-
ment is unfriendly to the religion and nationality of the
people, the assumption of the right of the parent to deter-
mine the education of his child is especially noxious, as
tending to poison the fountains of knowledge, and to make
of education a temptation and a snare." The State, he said,
had undertaken the duties of schoolmaster only in countries
where there is no freedom, In England, which derives its
free and noble constitution from Catholic times, the parent
and the pastor of religion aro perfectly free in this matter
of education ; but it is the very reverse in Ireland. Here
the State, whilst pretending only to give assistance in the
education of youth, has, in point of fact, undertaken the
office of educator. The English Government writes books
and trains the teachers for the schools, and forces them upon
the children. 'Why is it that this system was carried out ?
There is in-Ireland a spirit which the Government wishes
to crush—a patriotism and a love of faith—(hear, hear)—
and it had introduced its own books into the schools and
colleges for the same reasons as influenced the continental
despots in doing so. It was to extinguish freedom of con-
science, and rule over the hearts of the people as well as over
their persons. They were to determine whether they were
content to exist with this system, which is the poison of
morality, and which has been the ruin of civil and religious
freedom wherever it has prevailed. It was not for a secta-
rian motive, but from a love of freedom, that they wished
to see Ireland remain a pure religious country. The State
has certain duties to discharge in the education of children.
It is bound to protect the right of th, parent, to give every
assistance to the parent, to provide the means of education
—and has it done so? No, it has seiasd that right, against
repeated protestations. (Hear, hear.) Besides the tyranny
of the Government there is the tyranny of individuals—of
landlords and agents, who coerce the tenantry, under the
penalty of eviction, to send their children to these schools.
(Hear, hear.) He condemned this state of things, and hoped
the Irish people would never cease protesting until a remedy
were provided. (Applause.)
Major MILES O'REILLY, MX., seconded the resolution.
He would be ready to speak at more length on its behalf
and urge its adoption in another place. (Hear.)
Professor SULLIVAN moved :—" That the gratitude of the
Irish people is due and is hereby tendered to those members
of Parliament and public writers in England who are endea-
vouring to diffuse amongst the people of that country more
just and accurate views respecting our grievances, and espe-
cially in relation to the church establishment ; that we urge
them to persevere, pledging ourselves to afford them an
1 .energetic support, and so to silence the taunt that they are
battling for a people who regard their labours with apathy
and indifference."
Mr LALoIt (Mayor of Waterford) seconded the resolution,
which was adopted.
Mr DEvITT, T. C. (who with Mr J. B. Dillon acted as
secretary to the meeting), proposed the appointment of an
association for the purposes indicated in the following reso-
lutions, and read the rules by which it should be guided.
It is to be called " The National Association of Ireland."
The rules were adopted.
A vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor brought the proceed-
ngs, which lasted nearly six hours, to a close.