Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-04-27
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
W GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN.
WEDNESDAY EVENING. APRIL 81, 1853.

~ A bill pending in the Legislature of Ma
ryand to overthrow the present Common
School System of that State has created an in
tense excitement at Baltimore. On the 18th
inst, meeting of over 5000 citizens was held
to express their sentiments in opposition to the
movement, and resolutions of the most decided
character were passed.
An apparently systematic warfare has for
months past been waged throughout the coun-
try on the part of the Catholic press and priest
hood against our deservedly popular system of
public instruction. The }" mixed schools" are at
one time charged with being infdel, at another
with being sectaran. They are declared to be
"atogether dangerous" and Catholic parents
are recommended "to withdraw their children
from these places where they are certain to learn
evil, and probably very little but evil" Efforts,
which will doubtless be repeated,have been made
in tho legislature of this and other States to
procure division of the School fund, so that
pro rata proportion may be appropriated for the
benefit of Catholic Schools to be organized and
controlled exclusively by that denomination
Failing here, they have in several of the large
cities entered the political arena, procured in
caucus the nomination of men known to be ia
vorable to their schemes, and called forth near
ly the whole strength of the Catholic vote to
their support at the ballot box.
There is no reason to believe that the mass of
the Catholic population, if let alone, would de-
sire any departure from the present system
The most Of them are poor, and it is o matter
of regret that efforts should be made to with
draw their children from the public schools
which are to them real blessing. But the Ro-
turtles ago. 1t has yet the same despotic as
prations after both religious and secular power
as in former times. Nothing else can account
for this persstency in attempting to render a
public institution subservient to sectarian pur-
poses-a persistency that is equalled only
by the folly of making an attempt SO impractic-
able, and SO repugnant to the feelings of the
American people.
In this country, the advantages arising from
popular education have been considered too
great to be over looked. 1t is held to be the
duty and policy Of the State to provide for the
education of all it's citizens. In this view Of the
case the free school system had its origin. It's
the creation of the secular power 1t is a public
institution. All are taxed for its support, and
none are excluded from its benefits Under the
auspices of the civil authorities it has come to
exert potent influence for civil and religious
freedom. If brought in whole, or in part, under
the control of Jealous priesthood, it would be-
come the nursery of narrow and intolerant big
otry. The same right would be asserted by 9TH
er denominations, and the whole business Of
public instruction would fall into the hands Of
the most illiberal sectarians.
We do not advert to this subject through any
apprehension that such monstrous attempts at
encroachment on the prerogatives Of the civil
power will ever be successful. The free school
system has a hold too strong on the popular feel
ing to be voluntarily surrendered for such dam
gerous purposes. The Bishops have put forth
their efforts under the most favorable circum-
stances that could be expected, but they have in
every instance met with most signal rebuke.
After the example of the citizens Of Detroit and
Cincinnati, the people elsewhere will if necessa-
ry break over all party allegiance, and unite in
common resistance to this bold push for the at
tainment of ecclesiastical authority.
cB@ The elections recently held in several
States Of the Union afford most gratifying as
surances of the permanent supremacy of the
democratic party. Since the election of Gen.
PIERCE, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Con-
nectcut and Rhode Island have chosen fifteen
democratic members Of Congress-, while the
wings have not secured single one from those
States. In Rhode Island, ALLEN, DEM, is rec
lected Governor by 2,2O2majority. Lastyear his
majority was 44O. In Connecticut, SEYMOUR
has 1908 majority over both the wing and free
soil candidates. Last year his majority was
AGO. The Senate consists of fifteen democrats
and seven wings, the house of l4S democrats,
n who's and a freesoilers The democratic