The native American., 1840-03-07

II L.. III - Noius, thatosHooio
Shall be established, in which the ehllieien Of
foreigners "may beinstructed by teachers speak
ing the same language with themselves, and pro-
tossing the same faith"
This proposition comes directly in conflict with
la policy, which has prevailed in the United
States, from the foundation of the Government,
and which, if adopted would, we are satisfied,
eventuate in the establishment by force of law,
of syetem of religious education, over which
the prevailing sect, whatever it might be, would
soon or late, gain and exercise effective con-
troll. II is also, as we believe, and shall endea-
vor to show, at war with the interest and wish
les Of the natives of other countries, who h ave
chosen this as their future abode end it is well
known that the number who come here for
temporary residence is comparatively small.
One Of the great principles, which lies at the
basis Of the political institutions of the United
States is. universal federation in matters Of re-
Iigious faith and those sects which in the
minority, should be tenacious of this principle
above all others. To give 1t full effect, there
must be- as there has always been, total absti
hence from all legislation religious subjects.
In countries which have an established reh
gion, and system of popular instruction, tolera-
ton cannot be practically secured without max
ing provision by law for the education of children
under teachers protesting the same religious faith
as their parents-Such provision exists in
Prussia, and such one is contended for in Great
BrItain.-But under the Government of the
United States, which repudiates the doctrine of
an established church, and which leaves ''all
free to worship their Creator according to the
dictates of their own conscience" liberation is
best secured BY abstaining, in the most scrupuous
manner, from all Legislation which is designed to
recognise and promote particular interest.
In the schools which have been established
by public law in the state of New York, reli-
sous distinctions are unknown. The school
districts embrace within their boundaries, the
whole territory of the state, excepting the city
| of New York, in which the district system is
not established The necessary consequence is,
that in the district schools, the children of pa
rents of numerous sects meet OH common ground,
under the care and supervision of single teach
er. The enquiry is not what are the religious
tenets of the teacher. but what is his moral
character, and what his qualifications for teaching?
In some districts, Baptsts have the ascendency-
in others Methodists and in others Presbyterians;
and if the principle established that in
struction should be given by teachers Of the same
religious faith the parents Of children attend
ing the school, j. is manifest that the whole sys-
TEN Of common school instruction in the state
would BIZ broken up. The princi pie that we
have heretofore advanced, and shall always con-
tend for, is, that the religious profession of the
teacher Of any school, should not operate either
in favor or against such teacher or school the
duty of the state being. as we conceive, to fur
: nish the means to ALL, of obtaining literary and
moral instruction, without Partially or preju-
dice; leaving to parents and pastors, the task
of including peculiar or sectarian religious prin
cples out of school as they think proper We
do not ask to participate in the sthool fund, be-
H..
the advantages of literary education; be it'll
held from our children because we do.
I Can any man Of common sagacity suppose,
J that such principle as Gov. Seward recommends
could long be established for foreigners, before
native citizens would claim the benefit Of it /?
\ That the children of German emf grants, for in.
stance of the Lutheran church: shonld have
teacher of their own religious faith, and that the
Pvesby terians Methodists or Universaliss each
school district would MT claim the same privi-
lege7 The superstition is not to be entertained
The adoption Of the principle referred to would
be the signal for controversy and confusion in
the school districts throughout the state, and
would lead to irredeemable mischief to the cause
of education. To the cause Of religion it would
be still more mischievous. Those who do not
belong to the most numerous sects, and Tor W hose
benefit it is professcdiy designed, have reason to
safety lies in scrupuous abstinence on the part
of the legislative body from all intermeddIing
with the subect.-What guaranty have they,
that the law which processes to secure to them
a privilege, might not, at no distant day. give
place to enac,ments Of totally different charac-
ter; enactments which would bring along with
them restrictions instead Of privileges' Is
there no reason to apprehend such RESULT
May not the same prejudices which wrapt in
flames the convent in Charleston, and paraIyzed
the arm OF justice, when it was put forth to punish
the perpetrators of that enormity, be again ex.
erted in some evil hour, and exhibit themselves
in oppressive acts of legislation in respect to the
very subject which now comes to US in SO liber-
al and tolerant a form? No. let us have no le-
gislaon in respect to the relig ious character of
schools or teachers. We desire no discrimina-
ting acts of legislation, even though they assume
the air Of liberation.
But, under another view ofsubje ct, we consi.
der the Governors recommendation in the high.
est degrse unwise and impohic. It's the interest,
as it must be the desire Of foreigners, who make
this country their home to identify themselves