New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-01-07
..iRErIsr0Yrs ago s'cRIpTIoN. ],

Several Of the papers Of the city, during the
past week, have expended avery considerable
amounts Of virtuons Indignation upon what tney
are pleased I'd term g religious prescription in
the selection Of school teachers for this District
The School Board is severely criticised for its
action in dropping a few teachers, and currency
attempted to be given to the allegation that no
amount Of ability or capacity was competent to
offset the fact Of Gatholicity in candidates. In
all these insinuations there is not one iota OF
uth-not even the semblanee of truth can be
plead in justification. The writer Of this is d
member Of the School Board and has not been
absent from meeting since his election, end he
takes this occasion to state explicitly and d.
rectly that the matter Of religious belief Of
teachers has never in his presence been in any
manner mooted.
@ A plain and simple statement of the facts Of
the case is, ne imagine, all that is required to
meet and dissipate this puerile and unfounded
charge.
OF the sixty three teachers employed in the
schools Of the First District, last year, Fix only
have been dropped. Among The six thus drop
ped, it appears there were three Catholics. As
only three were Catholics, the other three must
have been Professionals. What journal or jour
nails will take up the cause Of the poor, perse-
cuted prescribed Protestants, Now, let US see
who were elected to ELL the places Of the pro
scribed' We hear that Two Of the newly elect
ed teachers ere Catholics; Of the religious per-
suasion Of the other four, we are not informed.
we will add further, that there are now in the
schools q number Of Catholic teachers who were
unanimously elected, and We have no doubt
that they will continue to be reelected 50 long
81 they discharge the duties of teachers as ably
d. they have heretofore, without reference to
their religious faith. So much for the facts,
upon which is based q great amount Of comment
with regard to intolerance, prejudice and pro-
,oription. s$ f5
We are unwilling to believe that the comments
. which we have referred were intended for that
POLITICAL effect which would seem to have dicta-
ed them. The nature and gravity Of the accu-
'ations, however; the political complexion of
he journals which have given currency to them
he plausible and serious manner in which they
we're urged, and their utter falsity give coloring
tolthe supposition that the great amount Of ire
expended on q charge entirely without founda-
alton, was dictated by q desire to manufacture
some amount Of political capital for the spring
elections .
Mere scholarship or amiability Of character,
donot fill up the qualifications required to make
q good teacher. The object Of the Board is to
obtain those who are best qualified to discharge
the very important duties deyolving upon them,
and any such thing as prescription Of teachers
on account Of religious belief, has yet to be
known in the School Board Of this District
4 We have referred to this matter because of
the Importance sought to be given it, and We
will close the subject By calling attention to the
Factswe have rehearsed, and by inviting the
reader to compare them with the theories of our
We think every one will see
hat considerations Of policy, not probity, have
induced the unfounded charges to which We
ave referred