The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-03

BY the hundred to shoepegs by the TOM and the con
dtion of the people il such rs to the observer
70 believe that there il sometimes truth in the asser
CHARLES LIE CHAgvE.
TAe AMeriean and Eng'ish Public school
SysGem
From the Manchester (EDg Examiner June ISL
In the educational controversy which has of late
excited so much interest throughout the country
well as In our own CITY, reference has been frequent
ly made to the common school system OF the United
States OF America That system is one in accord
ance with which secular instruction and moral train
ing are given at the public expense to all children
sent to receive them, irrespective of denominatona
distinctions. IL proceeds upon the common-sense
superstition, that there certain branches of secu
lar knowledge and common moral duties the ad
vantages OF which are universally recognized, and
THAT instruction in each Of these may be i'm
parted without the slightest reference to questions
Of controversy or conscience. 1t undertakes no
class of religious opinons but, considering doctrl.
nal principles and forms of worship to lie beyond
ts province leaves them To be taught by the voun-
tary contributions and efforts Of those who believe
them to be true, right and important 1t not only
coniers upon the young the instruction which is es-
sentai TO their personal dignity and usefulness and
10 their success in the business engagements of life
put prepaies them to receive the knowledge and i'm
pIesslons resulting from religious agen lies to Judge
OF opinions for themselves, and thus to acquire an in
telligent faith. Nothing but the sheerest bigotry or
the duiest stupidity, one would think. could repre-
sent the school teaching which did this and nothing
more to be irreligious 1t may not comprehend
everything that is necessary to religious education
out certainly there is nothing either in its nature or
tendency, that is inimcal TO the most enlightened
piety.
Sectaran differences have hitherto prevented the
introduction into England OF a system of national
edncaton. The name OF religion has been dishonor-
ed and The progress OF religion has been hindered
by the miserable wranglings Of certain parties who
have virtually commended that Christianity will be
endangered, unless reading be taught in conjunction
with some cstechism, and history and geography
with some theological dogma--who have refused to
allow their follower atures to become intelligent
men and usefa citizens unless the process Of making
them orthodox Christians could be carried on at the
same time--an1 who have seemingly preferred that
they shoad remain heathens rather than thas they
should escape from the chance of being made during
school hours, Churchmen or Independents, Roman
Catholics or Baptists.
With the view OF counteractipg the opinions and
influence OF this strangely obstructive party, the
friends of the wellknown National Public School
ASSOCIATION have represented the American system
OF public instruction to be almost entirely analogous
to the one which they desire to see established iu
TINS country; and have endeavored to show h
means OF 1t, how a large measure of secular Laow-
ledge sound morality, and practical resiOn, about
which all are agreed, may be given IA the common
schoo, whilst arrangements conid oe easily made
10 furnish separately the doGrlna education IN refer
ence to which denominations differ. hence, as was
to be expected, the plan which has lon adopted in
the United States has been most closely scrutnZed
and unsparingy attacked. Every defect in its work
ing which has been pointed out by its most ardent
supporters, who DESTROYS to bring it up to per-
lection, has been declared to be evidence of dis
satisfaction with it. and every attempt made by Sec
taranism to withdraw from its influence has been
considered to be proof that it is not satisfactory to
the religious public. In vain have been the testimo
MES OF the most enlightened English travellers on its
behalf-in vain the vindicaton VI Its nature and ope
ratons by the most eminent statesmen judges and
ministers OF religion in America Prejudice In Eng
land will notlook to truth and bigotry continues to
misrepresent and cavil. We have little hope that
anything which we or others can say regarding the
American system, could change the opinion or con-
duct either of some OF the leading voluntaries, or
of the sectaran class who save themselves fsom the
trouble of enquiry by supplying themselves and
Others by the cry Of religious education; but yet
As we believe that there very many beth in the
Church, )" and amongst dssenters. who are not be-
yond the reach of conviction, we have resolved TO
publish letter on the subject now under consilera
ton, addressed to Mr.. Golden, by an eminent Con-
gregationalist minister belonging 10 New York This
letter part OF which appears in our columns to-day
is worthy of careful perusal.
II appears that its author, the Rev. Mr. thompson,
being on visit to England attended the meeting
held last year. in Bradford, OF the congregational
Union Of England and Wales. Mr.. Balnes anu MS
voluntary friends being Il ere in full force and re-
solving to have field day for an onslaught against
everything opposed voluntary education, wlthnofe
zeal than prudence, made an attack on the common
school instructions of America. Mr.. Thompson was
amazed bv the assertion hazarded but either having
no suitable opportunity afforded to him to reply,
or being withheld by feeling OF decacy, as stran-
ger or of unwllingness to create dlsunlon, oid NOT
at the time enlighten the ignorance displayed,
nor rectify the mistakes committed. Coming liter
wards, however, into contact with Mr.. Golden, ne
expressed his surprise at the statements to when
he had listened, and Mr.. Golden requested MN 10
commit to paper whatever remarks might appear 10
him TO be likely to be useful in reference to the ed
cational controversy. This be at length did, and
Mr. Golden has secured the insertion OF this lmpor-
tant letter in the minutes OF evidence gwen before
the parliamentary committee. appoint to consider
the Manchester and Stafford oil, oil winch Our read
ers have heard so much.
We shall not at present remark on the communi-
cation before farther than 10 say that IL most
eifectuay disposes of the unfounded assertions SO
constantly reiterated by some good Dut mistaken
men in this country, Of the religious denomination
to which Mr. Thompson belongs, who affirm that the
American system of education IS injurious TO Chris
tian influence and opposed to the sentiments o. Tue
religious portion Of the American people. Ihere
are few persons or congregations VINO evidently ior
selfish or sectarian purposes, wish TO establish demo-
mnational schools but tie Protestant sects univer
sally with these trfing exceptions consider Their
:. common schools t. lie the glory or their country,
tie source OF its intelligence the safeguard OF lts
liberty and the security Of It's progress. Inc Con
gregatlonalists Of America not whit behind The
intelligence the love OF freedom the Zeal and piety
bv which the same denomination in England Is con
fessedIy distinguished and yet Mr. Thompson tells
us tEat there is not religious snclety nor reslous
ORGAN or printing press OF that Influential delomina-
ton on the other side OF the Atlantic, that has ut
tered word Of dissatisfaction with the common
school system Of their country, or that would adso'
cate the TouDtlryism IN education ior Whion some
amongst ourselves so strenuOusly contend we sneh
return to this subject when the next portion Of Ill
Thoga,sols letter appears, and, in the meantime, we
hone that tie leading Congregatonalst voiuntaries
nj FogIand yyill derive wisdom from the coInmunlca
tion viii Ii we have transferred to our columns.
Foreign Miscellany
The Newcastle-onTyne (England) Cuontcte gives
he foil of precOClOug youth, now Oh