The New York herald., 1845-10-27
,rhe Public schools.

ner,ntendent of Public Schools has given rise to a
GOOD deal of controversy in the party papers of all
kinds some going for and some going against him.
But this business hasaso given us some very singular
Developments relative TO the management of these
public schools and the morals and character OF those
VINO occupy the responsible positions of teachers and
trustees.
From the first establishment OF the public schools
until few years ago, there was no trouble-no ex-
ccment-no disturbance, In those valuable semi
na.es of Youthful intelligence But in unfortu
nate moment, distinguished preate of the Catholic
church, forgetting his duty and the first principles o.
his religion, jumped into The arena Of politics, to
make fierce and fiery decamatlons, and create ex-
cilement relative TO the public schools. We need not
say that allude to Bishop Hughes, under whose
ind leadership originated all the agitatons that
have been carried with more or less bite rncss
scandal, and disregard of all the principles of reli-
gon, for the last few years, up to the recent dsmis
sal of the superintendent. The folly, fanatcism
and violent feeling, originated by Bishop Hughes
movement, generated in the opposing sects an equal
amount of folly, turbulence and disregard OF all the
principles OF the founder of Christianity, whose
grand doctrine love and not sectaranism.
Every new development OF this unhappy contro-
yersy, which originated with Bishop Hughes, down
10 the recent vote Of the Common Council, has only
shown that there was more of party-sectariansm-
linaticsm and folly, than religion, in the movement
The party press takes up the OF the dis
mssal oil DR.. Reese, and makes a great clamor
about it. and attempts to identity his cause with that
of the Bible itself. This only another phase of
the secarian movement which has so unhappily
been in progress about the schools.
The course of DR.. Reese as County Superintendent
not whit better or more christian than that OF
Bishop Hughes We consider Bishop Hughes and
Dr Reese as occupying the two extreme points
the one on the Catholic side, the other on the Pro-
testan side, but both being ndscreet fanatica tur
bulent. dlsngenuous, captlous, and troublesome to
the peace and good order of society, ana partcu-
larry that portion OF society who taught the first
elements of education at the Public Schools From
the very first moment that Bishop Hughes COM
menced his agitation until he dlsgraced himself and
hs Cause by turning politician IN Carroll Hall, he
was precisely as cupable, criminal in the eyes o.
all good Christians of every denomination as DR.
Reese has been from the date of his appointment to
the hour OF his dismissal We are persuaded that
there good foundation for the course taken
towards Bishop Hughes in these matters there
mas been in the Of DIR Reese before the Com
mon Council, although the one was a Catholic
and the other was a Protestant. Both, indeed, are
men OF the mental calbre-the same
width Of heart-the same longitude of feel
iog-and the same amount of charity. They are
Of the narrow-minded fanatics that spring up in
every age setting society by the ears, pandering to
the hgotries and passions OF men, and lighting up
the fires Of intolerance and sectarian hate.
With regard TO the developments which have
been made in the of this investigation rels-
i've 70 The morals OF some of the teachers and trus
tees OF The sixth ward, we have also word of con-
demnation 10 pronounce. There can be no question
that some OF the teachers OF the schools have
dlsgraced their calling by grossly immoral con-
dnct Some of the trustees have also been equal
u cupable But all that is not enough to Justify or
excuse the conduct OF DR. Reese, who ia Just as
bameable as Bishop Hughes on his side. We have
seen some OF the journals, particularly the Courier
and Enquirer and Commercial Adrertiser endeavor-
ing 10 Justify the ndlscretlon, violence, sectarian-
isn, and incendlary course OF Dr. Reese, by expo
sing the weakness, folly and immortality OF certain
teachers and trustees in some Of the wards This
Is most supremely absurd Two black balls are moi
equal to white one. Two sinners added together
and the sum total ascertalned, are not quite ade-
qnate 10 make up a saint Two angels of darkness
brought up from the depths of the bottomess pit and
covered over with pitch and birthstone, cannot be
united together IN any form and shape, to pro-
duce angel Of light, all radiant with the inefable
purity OF the skies Neither pugstic, drunken
teacher, with any quantity of rum-selling trustees
be an excuse, or furnish any apology for that course
Of conduct which we have blamed alike in DR.
Reese and in Bishop Hughes.
The trnth IS, during the last few years the public
schools have been in the arena of politics, tossed
about here and there in every direction, and made
The sport OF secares, and fanatics, and politicians
untll hardly single vestige of their original good
character and good system remains. We are afraid
that We never shall have peace in the public school
system OF this city under present circumstances, un
al all the parsons and cergymen and politicians are
oanished entirely from any part icipation in their
management. The old system of management pur-
sued by the Public School Society was probably the
best Il was free from sectarianism 1t leaned
neither TO Protestant anatcism to Catholic "a
naticlsm It avoided all contact with immortality
and lrreigion. The Public School Society was
sufficiently religious TO satisfy every religionst Of
moderation and common sense, and under their re-
g7rne we had peace and quiet. We wish we were
again under the same system lntolerance-al Sec
raranism- intriguing politicians and intriguing par
sons, must be eradicated root and branch from the
management of these invaluable public institutions,
else we will soon have to lament over their utter
and lrreparable ruin. We trust that the movement
has commenced, and that common sense modera-
non and charity will resume their sway
LECTURES on THE CHINEsE.-This evening at the
Society Library, the erudlte Dr. Hernlsz commences
his course of lectures on China and the Chinese
Our readers already familiar with the name and
talents of this distinguished sapan, and we have no
doubt that his lectures will be attended by crowded
auditores The subject is one of great and practical
interest, and the announcement of DR.. Hernsz has
been hailed with much satisfaction by this COM
munty. The lecture tonight will be exceedingly
curious and instructive.
Mails FOR EURoPE.-The Great Britain will posi-
LNnlN Ian I.uI L L.