The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-02
From the Nes0 York Observer
ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIM.

SHu OOtNJ 1Ofo'
We have endeavored to keep the public duly
apprized of the ceasclesS exertions oGthe Roman
Catholics of this city, to secure the money Of the
people for their sectarisn schools. But we are
net prepared to see the question brought so sud
denly to a crisis. They, however, have pressed
their petition, and last week the Common Coun-
ell met according to appointment, to hear them
in defence of their claim, and also to listen to
any statements that might be offered against their
application. So great was the anxiety OF the
publis to hear the discussion, that, before the
hour Of meeting, the Council Chamber and the
avenues leading it, were densely crowded, and
it was with great difficulty that the members and
parties were able to effect an entrance. We were
fortunate in securing a seat, and shall put on
record a candid narrative e this important and
Interesting debate. The petition of the Roman
Catholics was first read, asking the Common
Council to designate their schools, named from
certain Of their saints, as entitled to receive a
portion of the Common School Fund of the
State. Bishop Hughes appeared as the advocate
of this petition.
Next was read the remonstrance Of the Public
School Society of this city Theodore Ssdgwick
and Hiram Ketchum, Esqs., appeared as counsel
for the p. S. Society,
A remons.rance was also read from the pastors
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and DIR.
Bond, DIR. Reese, and Rev. DIR. Bangs supported
the remonstrance. After these documents had
been read,
Bishop HUGHES took the floor, and spoke for
more than two hours in behalf of the claim. He
took I'D in order the remonstrance Of the Public
School Society, and of the Methodist pastors,
and the report of the Board of Assistant Alder
men rejecting former application of the same
nature His speech was ingenious, respectful and
as able as any indefensible position would al
low skiliul pleader to make it. He urged the
common and oft repeated and as oft exploded ar
gument that our present system OF common
schools tends to infidelity, and (when that argu-
ment was sufficiently plied,) that the same sys-
tenn tends to Professionalism. In support of these
positions, he contended that religion was exclud-
ed from the schools, and that the books used for
reading contained sentiments calculat ted to preJu-
dice the minds of the children against the Roman
Catholic religion. Especially did he object to
the use of the Protestant Bible, for which he
said he had no reverence, and which his church
did not receive. In allusion to remark in the
Methodist remonstrance that the religion of the
Roman Catholics justified the burning of the he
retics, he offered to stake $1,000, to be expended
for charitable purposes, which he would pay if
they would prove this assertion, provided they
would stake similar sum to be paid II they
failed. This offer of the bishop to make bet
did not seem to SAVIOR of much confidence in ar
gument, or of much regard for the common prin-
ciples Of morality, and was particularly out of
place before apolitical body, by whom betting
is known to be misdemeaner punishable by sta
tute law.
The Bishop labored to secure popular sympa-
thy for the Roman Catholics, whom he represen-
ted to constitute one fifth of the whole popula-
ton, and whose rights Of conscience he contend
cd were crushed by the present school system
This was his strong hold, and it afforded him
fine field for appeal to the principles ofuniversal
liberation, which are so sacredly cherished in
this country, land we would add in every other
free country where the Bishops religion is not
in the ascendency.
THEODORE SEDGwICK, Esq, spoke in behalf
of the remonstrance. He gave brief and lucid
history of the school system OF this State, stating
that the fund which was originally but S2O, 900
would, in 1S45, amount to $,500,U00. This city
receives S34 900 yearly, and raises by tax a CO
responding sum according to the requirement of
the statue, and in addition raises an extra sum
| of 81, 000, which is imposed BY special law,
that was called for by the citizens themselves;
that more than $4,000 per annum TO be
distributed among the schools The Common
Council is to designate the schools that are to
draw their portions from this fund, and formerly
certain religious societies had received a part,
but having abused their trustin one insta nee, bJ
applying tine money to secteE;an purposes, the
system was changed, and since that time all re-
ligious societies have been excluded
Mr.. S. then remarked that the two arguments
oil Bishop Hughes were certainly contradi~tsory
The Bishop says |. The present schools do
not teach religion, therefore te-.,d to make inf
Ge.- and 2, They do incr.,cate principles that
tend to make the cb',,.dren Protastants. These
objections answs.- each other, for both cannot be
sound. lie men proceeded to show what sort OF
rellSlers education the schools now give, and
hare he drew clear distinction between religi-
I Gus and sectarian instruction. He said there
We're certain great principles which were uni
versally admit;ed-by Catholics, Protestants in
| fdels and all-such as, Thou shalt not steal /;
Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not bear false
witness; Honor thy father and mother; Sc,
where were common in the Protestant and Cath
Ollie Bible, and which are carefully and con-
stastly taught in these schools. He had compar-
ed the two Bibles, and while on certain doctrines
there was difference of toords, in these great
truths there was perfect harmony. The Bible
without note o: comment, lnculcating these scnti-
ments had always spread virtue and peace hut it
was the notes and comments ofthe Roman Cath
clio version, insulating characterization, lasts,
penances, SC, that had laid the world in blood
and ashes.
Mr.. S. showed clearly that the Bishop had al
together mistaken the nature of the question when
he had attempted to defend the particular inter-
ests Of the Roman Catholics in this subject. Ii
any other denomination had made the same de-
mand, it would be resisted in the same way.
There was no disposition to Cypress them more
than others, and their claim could not be allowed
without destroying the present admirable school
| system. II the Catholics succeed, other sects
| will make the same demand, and the whole fund
| will thus be frittered away and large proper
ton OF the community, not connected with any
denomination, will be unproyided for
| HIRAM KETcHUM, Esq followed on the same
side. His speech was certainly one OF the Iuost
eloquent forensic efforts to which it has eve- been
our pleasure to listen He commenced by taking
review of the efforts made in years past by the
Roman Catholics and other religious denomina-
tons, to get possession Of portion of the School
fund. Almost all Of them had tried, and all had
become satisfied that the existing system was
the best, except the Roman Catholics, who still
Perseyere in their application. He showed that
the present system was the result ef mutual
compromise, by which all the sects had the same
privileges, and none were oppressed. There
was great difference between being taxed to