New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-03
THE SCHOOL QUESTION.

all questions affecting Catholics, it iswith some
degree of pleasure that perceive you approach the
subiec, Of Education With that calm anxiety whleh
should characterize an investigation Of such vial IN
portance to the well being OF the community At large
Il FOR this reason and seeing sso that you are soon
70 visit Flushing in the capacity OF Pubic Lecturer
tia; desire to state few facts connected win 'ne
Public School here, in order that you may see 'ne
sniEsof its MANAGEMENT; and as It e to De pFesusd
that the people of Flushing are not much worse man
| their neighbors how imperstvely II has become tne
dury Of Catholics to retire from such system ana
nrovide for their children an education more in con-
formiiy with the principles Of the religion they pro-
/ fess.
| Afev months ago some Pensioners of mine COM
psped 10 me of the conduct of Miss Montsn in the Pm
mary Department school, for having beaten their
children for not attending those Protestant prayers
said hitherto at the opening Of the School immedi-
stely put myself in communication with the Board OF
Trustees with view 10 an inquiry into the facts OF tue
case then received assurance than these offensive
practices should be discontinued but WAS not little
surprised to find the Board, or at least Mr. Thomas
Leegett Jr one Of the number, and who on this occa
sion was the mouth piece Of the others become the ai
vocae of teacher whose act certainly not sane
toned BY law and in Itself plain and gross yioston
| of the rights of conscience.
The confidence Of the Catholics being thus somewhat
shaken in the mpsraliy OF the Board composed as 1t
altogether of Protestants Of different denominations,
hey made an attempt the late election 20 place on
be Board member Of their own religious profession.
This, had it been permitted, would nave gone SoOu
way to restore confidence and alsy discomfort. The
PERSON put in nomination was. in every point OF view
a. well qualified 10 discharge the duties OF the ONCE a.
most of the ether Trustees but his election was defeat
ed by the ely off, quote from the local paper, The
Flushing Journal Down with the Papshes.' Th0
Editor Of this paper feeling 1t spresumed' that Prot
es;antsn was imperled became It's defender, and with
unusual candor pronounced the Catholic no miRation
an attempt foist upon School District for sec
tartan purposes member of the Board of Education.
H. l. n a Catholic clergyman, charged with the spirit
usl guardianship OF three hundred children, At
pre.eut attending that school, should presume to coun
sci the election OF Trustee processing the same SIn
with those children am promptly informed that my
conduct IL application OF the screws ecclesiastical,
and that the object sought IL in an'agonsm 70 the con-
. victons and wellconsidered will OF the majority.
Thus they only who represent 1.-THE convictions and
well considered will" Of Protestants qualified n
perintend the education OF the Catholic child IL has
often and by yourself been stated that these schools
have been intended for the benefit of OIL but now we
are told that be who would disturb the Protestant man
agement by recording bis vote at the balOtbox, tor
the candidate Of his choice Gor this the only way IN
which the attempt has been made must be submitted
10 the surveillance of the press for his reckessness
and be dealt with who casts apple OF dscord
into the community
II il not confess often that the advocates of the
Public school system give expression 10 the cause OF
their admiration with so much candor and rankness,
or thus incaufiousy inform OF their real motives Tor
unfolding these schools detrimental they are 10 the
morals OF their children. Nor Is often that the
Catholic who dares to think tor himself this subject,
and selects without the friendly advice Of some Protestant
the est person to take charge OF the education OF hs
child is warned explicitly OF the penalty that awaits
him. for in this in lance the names Of all who voted
Tor the Catholic candidate called for In the public
press in order that all Professionals might have
opportunity OF carrying out the intentions OF the writer
(ssd to be one who has here taken very prominent
part in urging the Public SchOOl) who says Is" have
counensnced and given my support 70 the business OF
many among them, but that If md their names upon
this list shall do more from sense " dgfy And
he adds This is the way should al sct' And thls
has been since followed by call for lectures 10 teach
the Protestant portion Of the community 10 avoid giving
any business support TO Catholics Fortun1ely Tor the
peace and prosperity Of this village these mauiestoes
have been almost entirely disregarded. Though in.
dorsed by The FlushiaR Journal they have not elected
the synpahy-ts his honor be II spokenof the Protest
ant aroused the hatred Of the Catholic. have how
thought il right to stse them, inssnuch they
/ hardly ever make their appearance in large cities,
though the feelings that give them origin fear exist
there too and furnish the main support OF these schools
am convinced hat there is honest Protestant, even
in this neighborhood, woo would venture 70 call our
Public School HnscdriGH, or affirm, after the exhibition
creed Ii this be so, how Catholics, with any show
Of justice, be compelled TO support the school the
system of which II T. Tartl Do you, Fir, Candid
man, say that the Catholics Of Flushing, who in the as
few days have subscribed nearly two thousand dollars
TO school OF their own, and who by far the
poorest portion Of the people should still be compelled
support State School tor the education Of the chi
dren Of the rich from which they have been virtually
expelled This fact that have mentioned il sufficient
proof that from jealous Of education. Here
proof given by the poorest among Us that we prize
education. that love dearly, and that there u bu,
thing would not cheerfuy sacrifice for is acut
siOn Let the voice OF common justice then, be heard
and its award obeyed Let those who with such scany
means, have made so noble effort 10 educate their
children not be called on TO educate the children
of Others but by fair distribution of the public mo
ney, raised in for educational purposes let
them be encouraged to 20 forward with the good work
tey have resolutly taken 10 hand. The right OF edu
eating our own children we never will, because we
can surrender and il for those only who hate
education, unless instrument Of sectaransm in
fidelity TO band themselves together 70 withhold this
right
From your past sympathy with the suferings Of Irish
in their own country, would expect your loud
protest against this infringement OF their sacred
rgbts. They have for centuries borne persecution and
fed here 70 enjoy Freedom IN her home: and shall
the demon stll pursue them sna an lrishman be
CURED barter the faith Of his fathers ths free and
happy country for the education OF his chldl Hope
But fearing that PrUtesants are disposed 70
this penalty thought my duty 20 address this
letter you, that ght expose the paralfy Of these
local Boards and the violence with which Catholics
q hsrahcu NLtn 10 tlen. trust you
vii direct public attention 10 these scts In order that
Education may be free, and the rising generation OF
Catholics may enjoy IL blessings and thus be better
qualified to serve ther God love their country and ee
yaie their race
wah The sres,es; r-s7eci, obedl-at servant,
JOHN AsAAHOS, Cashole Puesi Flushing
Remarks.
Deprecating as public calamity the with
dravsl from our Schools Of the children of any
portion or division of our People, We have all
along done what We could to prevent it, We