Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-04-09
The Catholics aud Free Schools.

A Catholic friend who thinks We have done
the Catholics injustice in regard to their posi-.
ton on the school law, has loaned us the Cncin-
natl Catholic Telegraph, containing a long let.
ter Of Bishop Purcelrs on this subject We
have read it, and also reviewed tho little notice
of which our friend complains. We do not
sec that our statement was incorrect
We stated that the Catholics seek To destroy
the free school system, and certainly if man
ever laborcd to overthrow any system. Bishop
Purcell labors for this end in the article our
friend has handed u.s. We also stated that tho
Catholics purposed to carry the question
into politics. On this question the Bishop
is not nt all ambiguous. lie says, speaking of
Catholic. I" IL they value thcit privileges as
American citizens. they will assert them in the
way pointed out by the Constitution, in the Sc
lection Of candidate, who will fairly represent
the wishes and requirements OF their consti,u.
enss. in tho Halls of Legislation, the Council
chamber and the School Board"
1t seems to US tina, no injustice is done the
Catholics by the system of graded free schools
as authorized and established by law. Teach.
ers and Educational Boards in those schools may
have trcspasscd upon their rights by tho intro
duction of protestant Bibles, and protestant
tracts and books, or By other seciarian instruc-
tions. But this IS an abuse Of their position,
and is no fault of the law. And Catholics arc
not the only men who may justly find faul;
,,.;tl Oh ;,af Ia, -, 70
character and administration, should be impar.
tial in regard to all questions of scctarian diff
fcrences. Such VIC believe the law to Lc I;
and its administration is, VIC think, generally
in conformity with its spirit. The Biblc,wheth-
er protestant or catholic, has no business in
schools. It's science belongs to the age Of Jo-
shua the Son Of Nun. The morality it teaches
is too much in conflict with itself. It's value
IA text book for teaching pure English clas-
sic style, or good reading is just as valuable as
the hornbooks or novels of King James day,
when it was written. We go therefore with
the Catholics against the introduction to our
schools of King James translation, and with
the Protestants against the Doway Bible
There ore abundant text books without it, and
tho range Of science is ample, TO fill all the
time devoted to education in pul lie schools.
Let the Bible, the creed and the catcchism, be
left to the family to associations for that spe-
eiiic object. Thus no mans conscience will be
violated.
But Bishop Purcell is not satisfied with this
lie says, " Wo Catholics have long been oil
opinion that Education to be efficient. must be,
not only based upon religion, hut interviewer
with it in all its miHutet details and iciden.s."
lie objects to tho promiscuous asscmblage of
oil classes in common schools, "bccause the
vicious will corrupt the innocent" lie objects
TO the promiscuous assemblage of the sexes,
because it culivatcs liccntiousnos and immor-
alty. But yet he avows himself the pure and
devoted friend OF universal education and gen.
70 our Cincinnati Correspondent for some fur
thcr fOcts on this subject.
This question is one of deep and absorbing
interest to US all. There is danger to the roli-
gious freedom of that class of our people who
are permitted now to enjoy it. There is s,doubt-
less, danger from Catholic bigotry, and Pro,cs-
tant intolerance and despotism. But the dan
ger from the Catholics is small, if the Protcs-
tants, act with justice and a true regard to
the principles of freedom. This country, so
far as the right Of citizens is concerned is no
more protestant, than catholic. And though
we should watchfully guard against the stimuli
taneous effort now making in Michigan, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and New York. against Free cd
ucation, uncrippled by scctarianism. the more
urgent dangers that protestants with the pow
er Of the majority and excited scctarianzeal, vii!
tread down the rights of their loss numerous
catholic fellow citizens. Professionalism is not
immaculate. She has ere this given specimens
of bigotry and persecution which show. her
an apt learner in the school of he prosecuting
mother. Let il be impressed upon ALL that
freedom, OF opinion of worship and of educa-
tion is the sacred right of ail--of the Catholic
no less than the Protcstant--of the Protestant
no more than the Catholic. Let the protestant
majority remember not to tyranize because it
has the power, ard there will be little danger
that the Pope or bis minions can overthrow or
vary materially check the progress Of our free
education.
CIxcISNATI CONVENTION time for this
Convention is drawing near. We hope null
- ,ko f.,onda Of tho sluva oro -