Amador weekly ledger., 1857-12-12
Dcmocratic Central Committee.
u ACK SO Ns
SATURDAY MORN. DEC. IL, lS5
Politics in Schools.

Politics in Schools.
The following is an extract from letter
written by one of the most respectable citi-
xens of Clinton:
CLINTON, Dec, 9th, 1857.
"Mr. Parsons the school-master, in his
Exhibition on Monday evening, played the
killing of Heating by Herbert, as grit.en by
the Black Republicans Mr. Parsons played
the part of our California representative, and
two of his scholars the Irish walters. Mr..
Parsons imitation was SO good that he shot
one Of the boys in the arm, above the elbow,
with wad, that penetrated to the bone"
We have no means Of knowing the politics
of Mr. Parsons, (unless the above is to be
taken as an indication, nor is it any of our
business what his political opinions may be;
nor did we know before that the killing of
Heating by Herbert had been dramatized.-
But this we do know, and always have known,
that it is radically wrong to introduce poll
tics into our schools The Play (D Of the
"Kiling of Heating by Herbert" is not be-
fore us, but of course it was originally writ
ten and produced for political effect, and in
any event it is in exceeding bad taste to in
troduce it in school exhibitions.
All classes of people now see the evils that
have arisen from the preaching of politics in
the pulpit; the sacred desk has been so desc
Grated by fanatics that its influence for good
has been in manner destroyed, while it has
been used to excite the basest and most un-
generous passions Of men, whereby political
chaos seemed for time almost inevitable
The Democracy, ever ready to meet all is
sues that come up, made an open fight with
the pulpit fanatics; and the last shot, from
the President himself, addressed to "The Sill
ly Brigade" under the leadership Of Profes-
sor Silliman, has in effect silenced their bat
teries SO will it be with the introduction of
politics in our schools; if such is to be Black
Republican policy the Democracy will
make the same war upon fanaticism in the
school house that they have successfully car
ried out against fanaticism in the pulpit.
Mr.. Parsons may not have thought to pro
duce Black Republican "effect"-he may not
believe in the fanaticism Of that party-but
we have nevertheless felt it our duty to con-
demn the production Of such thing as the
Herbert and Heating affair. We have ney-
er been Herbert's defenders, but must pro-
test against the use of his crime to instill in
the minds of the young hatred Of that De
mocraey which has made our country what
it is. If it be contended that the play is
not political, and not intended for political
effect, then we have to say that the taste
which suggests its production is morbid, and
entirely out of place, with the feelings of
every right thinking man and woman. We
think that upon reflection, Mr. Parsons will
agree with us in this view Of the matter.
1t is due to the teacher at Clinton to say
that the school is not supported out of public
funds; but of course ut least some of the
children in attendance, and whose tuition is
paid have Democratic friends.
The School HousE.--The benefit of the
"Pcnusylvanians." (after deducting expenses
and half of the pro6ts) in aid of the new
school house, yielded ninety dollars, which is
something of Gift" More is yet required
before the house can be occupied; and as our
citizens generally have already subscribed
pretty literally. we would suggest that the
ladies take the matter in hand and get up
something to assist the enterprise. They are
never backward when any good object is to
be accomplished. How would Calico Par
ty answer?
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