The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-09-01

nal election; and how have they kept their promises
as 10 school guardianship Have they antfodueed
no religious or political tests into their government
Ietsthe following able aud convincing article from
.fk9 L.edger answer that questian;--
THE PunLIc Schools fx DANegE.-The common
school system OF Instruction Ia Pennsylvania IS the
pride Of the State, as it has also been the nam n-
struen for diiusing the general intelligence winch
persades the Common wealth. IL was adopted IN
wise conformity 10 the spirit OF the Constitution,
which no particular sect, but declares that all
have equal privileges, and that no differences OF re-
gous belief shall subject those entertaining them 10
noiestation or 10 deprivation oil the civil aud poilt-
cal rehts guaranteed 10 all. his genuine Amerl-
can prncipie onstutioually secured first ia this of
all the countries OF the world, legnimately springs
from the liberty aud equality upon which republican
institutions rest. Any atteupt 10 suhyert 1t an
assault upon the fundamental Jaw OF tie State.
Yet says aud The facts seenl 10 justify The
reports that an attempt bong made. and for
the first time in the history OF our commonwealth
openly avowed 10 introduce religious tests INTO onr
institutions OF public instruction.. Teachers, who
have been dee Jared competent by The proper examl-
rers, and who have proved themselves capable by
years OF experience in the performance OF their du-
ties, have recently had this and lnioerant test
applied them by OF the lately elected Board
OF Directors; and because they had faith enough in
their religion rest their hopes OF nture salvation
upon it, they have been deprived of their present
means OF supporting themselves honestly and decent
ly By their profession. Fifteen or sixteen teachers
have been turned out of the public schools OF the
First and Second Wards, because Of their religions
belief, though worshIppng only in different form
the same living God that the directors do-if the
latter worship any.
We can scarcely believe that spirit Of such rank
and bitter intolerance could exist this age and III
country which possesses the lrees and purest po-
Iitical institutions IN the world We can hardly
credit that bDasting American descent, and
pridng themselves upon their birth, should so lar
descend from every manly prime IpIe, TO make war
upon few honest, industrious aud repI+tabe females,
seeking 10 earn themselves living by the exercise
OF their talents IN honorable profession. But,
however lamentabe lhis may be, the Individual
injury Inflicted nothing the great public injury
winch is done by such act. Tie Common Schools
hitherto have escaped the baelul and destructive in
haence OF religious sectarlanism. The doors OF these
institutions have been thrown open widely To all
creeds and all faiths. Children taught al home, IN
every kind OF religious faith, there met OIL common
ground OF equality, and The necessary instruction
they received, with the daily intercourse between
them; served TO soften the asperities OF political aud
sectarian differences, and To universal sehti-
hove all other affections considerations of duty.
The wise policy which built up so successfully the
present noble system of public instruction., is
10 be subveFted, and the usefulness Of the public
schools 10 be destroyed forever. And will the peo-
pie consent 10 the public schools destroyed by
political and seclaran influences; and 10 accomplish
whatI Ii one party can act this way the day of
lis strength, another party may do the same thing
when 1t gets INTO power that shall have, eve
~ year two, general turning out of teachers,
because of tFhr religious opinions, and few years
the total destruction OF oar present system of
schools. Are these noble institutions not worth
one effort to saver