Amador weekly ledger., 1857-12-19
y AC * SO III.
SATURDAY MORN. DEC. 10, 1851.
Politics in Schools.
CLlNroN, Dec. IA, 1852

ol CIlNroN, Dec. IA, 1882
Messrs. Editors l. ! was surprised to see,
in your last issue, long editorial, condemn
ing, in bitter terms, the playing, in our school
exhibition, of Melodrama entitled by your
correspondent The Killing of Keating by
Herbert.
2. The perceptive, and applying faculties
of your correspondent must have been reyy
acute. for do kaoao that there was no men
ton Of either Of the above names at the ex-
hibition.
3. No man can be more opposed, than my
self, to the introduction of politics into our
schools and our pulpits; for | believe it
fruitful source of evil, and subversive of the
great objects which they were designed to
promote.
4. Admit, for argument, that the play had
reference to member Of some political par
ty--do not most Of men belong to one or
another or the political parties? If parties
are to be held responsible, and must defend
the private acts aud crimes of all their MEM
bers, cannot see where their defense could
end / can never believe it my duty to en-
deayor to screen an individual, guilty of crime,
from the Just punishment Of public eondem-
nation. even though he believe with me in
points Of politics If such is the case, my
name can never be identified with any poiti
cal organization, for vice and crime must be
condemned, wherever it is found
s. 1t is not supposed that the piece, on
which you have felt it your duty SO fully to
comment, would give offense to any one, or
it certainly would have been rejected.
6. The piece was, not long since, played at
Mokelumne Hill, in school exhibition, be-
fore large, and intelligent audience, among
them the former editors OF the Calaveras
Chronicle) and no word of objection was
lisped in regard to it, The play was also Of
ten read and rehearsed in the presence of
brother Democrats here, whose opinions are
deserving Of the highest consideration, aud
all spoke of it in the most approving terms,
and assured me that nothing political could
be made of it, 1t is possible, however, that
all these possessed "MoRBID TAsrEsW
Z. That the Melodrama, in question: should
have given oflense even to one individual, we
sincerely regret and also, that the gentle
manly editors Of the Amador U'eekiy Ledger
should deem il their duty to publish what
they have, for theme of public aud private
conversation and discussion throughout the
country Far be it from me, "to instill in the
minds Of the young a hatred of that Democ-
racy which has made our country what is;
and venture to affirm, that no scholar, at
the exhibition knew, until after the last issue
OF the Ledger, that either of the characters
represented in the play belonged TO any par
ticular political party. The principles, of the
Democratic party, which have been, and
which shall ecer be the highest aim Of your
humble correspondent TO help preserve and
extend, never can be construed TO Justify
crime, or screen the guilty, from the punish
ments they deserve. As well might Me Roy
al families, of Europe, be held responsible
for the crimes and vices Of all their crowned
heads, as for political party to be made cul-
pable for the private acts Of each of its mem-
bers
s. If,the course, Of the Ledger toward ne,
had been pursued, by the Royalists Of Eu-
rope, toward the immortal Shakespeare, and
the thousands who have exhibited his truth
full portrayals of depraYity and crime, to an
admiring world, the offenders would certainly
have experienced ceyg sorry time.
g. But seriously, have failed 10 discover
that The Play can have any other effect on the
minds of the young than to produce hatred
Of crime, and Of that iniqHity too often found
in our criminal courts, when wealth or station
is brought to bear
10. Some of my friends here, Of aIlparties,
seem to feel very indignant at the structures
contained in your editorial; aud they have
met, and passed resolutions, for publication,
condemning your article, and sustaining me.
l have interposed, and suppressed their pub
lioation; having long since learned that "a
soft answer turneth away wrath, but grieyous
words stir up anger"
Very respectfully and truly yours,
G. o. PARSONS.