Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-09-28

T. me are vaiI--tor where art thou
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Tie American Common SchOo system must be
Preserved.
We assert that it must Ie preseru, q
because our American institutions de
pend upon il. Take away .hose distinc-
tive institutions; make American schools
Roman, and tie youth of this country
would grow into manhood. not Republi-
cans, not Americans. but bigots. bowed
down with superstition-mere Roman
lists. As the fountain is, so Will be the
stream.
1t is u prayer OF Romanisn, an effort.
a struggle; it is an aim, an intense pur-
pose, an cad TO attain which 10 sacrifice
viii be too great to overturn this sys
TEN. 1t is one Of lis greatest enemies.
ever makes the masses wiser-whatever
makes men more manly, is opposed, Of
necessity. 10 Romansm. Here leading
spirits preach that Ignorance is best for
the people-t.iat they are better Off to
know as little as possible.
The American people regard such COO
lrines as infamous. They are an Insult
70 human nature.
We, as people, believe in progress
progress in education, morals. religion,
conscience. socially, politically. in every
thing that can make men wiser and bet
ter Ronanism don't. It's whole his
tory proves that ii opposes free educatiou
What ;,iat church was FIVE centuries ago,
it is now-it will be the same the next
five centuries. II never changes. 1t is
one and the same thing. Hence in
America one of It's strong aims is TO
change our school system. 1t knows too
we'll tha: its life is death to it,
Its opposition is Jesuitical. In one
place il demands the abolition of the
Bi5!e; in another that the school fund be
SET apart for sectarian schools; in anoth-
er that Romln teachers be employed; in
another that Roman;stic tex books be
used. Behind this the priest and the
bishop give directions, fast to their pa
rents and then latter to their childrcn.-
The disci Jiine, harmony, usefulness Of
schools are often destroyed. where no
boider scheme can operate. Thus we
Sc that our school system is assailed:
and with a continuity and intensity that
should alarm all Americans.
What shall we do?
Plainly We must be more watchiul shan
ever. Have none but American schools
on our soil. j may be replied tina; this
/ IS unjust. We think not. We hold to
the doctrine that any institution which
is in opposition to the general good,
whether educa tional. political, religious
or whatever else il may be, in this or
any other particular country. should be
opposed by the true friends Of the coun-
try, In precisely this aspect is the
school question of this country. 70
manlsm is endeayOring to rear a sys-
tenn that has for its object the eventual
annihilation of our system. 1t makes
no bones in saying so. We should make
no bones in meeting :hese assaults and
in vanqulshing this greatest of enemies.
We must meet Roman'sm dt once
We must insist upon the integrity and
purity of our school system. We mus,
have American schools. Jesui;ism must
be made to understand this. No Ameri-
can is true 10 himself; true TO the pres
ent, TO the future, to every good consie
Grafton, who does not plant himself firm
| II on this ground. We must maintain
the doctrine of educating all-of giving
to the great people light-all tho light
necessary to make thoughtful. judging,
common sense people. This our pres
ent system will accomplish, if it is not
interfered with. The error and danger is
that they are interfered with. From
Archbishop Hughes down to the most i'm
pertinent and vulgar priest in the land.
there goes forth the commands for as
sailing our common schools.
1t must not be. 1t has cost time.
money. experience. sactifce, brains TO
bring American schools up to where
they are. They are boon rich and
beautiful beyond all Others. The school
house is the vestibule Of the nation
Let the one be what il should be. and the
other will follow. Give men light and
patriotism. ard neither their inclination.
wish. inspiration. hopes or fears will
lead .hem wrong. The school is the re-
lance. the foundation of our nationality.
AMERICAN SCHOOLS FOR AMERICA =
Let this be inscribed on every banner in
The land.--Boston Paper.