The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-09-30

In Dubuque, recently, the Board Of Di'
rectors Of the Public Schools, adopted a
rule by which 1.-The several teachers may
open their respective schools by reading
either the Protestant or Douay version of
the Bible, by repeating the Lords prayer in
concert, and by singing
This action on the part Of the School
Board created considerable feeling. and on
the 18th inst, public meeting was held to
take action on the subject. The following
committee, comprising the most prominent
citizens of Dubuque, was appointed to re-
port resolutions Judge CoRKERY, Gen. g.
W. JONES, Gen. W. LEWIS, Hon. Il. 81
SAMrns. Hon ID. A. MAuoNY.
This committee reported resolutions re-
questing the School Board to remove all
cause of complaint by resembling the obnox
ious rule.
Among the speeches made on the occa.
sion was one by Hon. Ben. NJ. SAMuELs
late Democratic candidate for Governor
from which we make the following extract,
and which, We may add, compries the prin.
cipal objections TO religious training in our
Public Schools
No State, county, or city, had any right to
authorize any religious teaching and had no
authority to give authority to any other person
20 do SO. (Cheers.) The State was apolitlcal
body, not q religious one. The state had no
authority to dictate the reading of the Bible,
or prayers or singing Of psalms 10 any Public
School or people One OF the great cardinal
principles Of our government was the entire
separation Of Church and State. What object
could our School Board have in introducing "a
rule which must operate preJudieiaily TO the
cause OF education in our city and district
Already had many children been withdrawn by
their parents because that teachers were al
lowed an odous license TO introduce sectarlan
teachings in our schools.
He Che speaker was Protestant, but in
accordance with our Constitution, he would
not do his Catholic fellow citizens the gross in
justice Of trying to force their children TO learn
a different version Of the Bible or creed from
that of their own faith He felt confident that
the Board would in this matter recede from
their position. He strongly advocated mode
ration and calmne,s. He drew this compar
son: suppose that the Catholic population had
the power, and would say TO the PrOtestants
"you must learn and read our version
/ Of the Bible, sing our psalms. &c,
would not all Of our Pedestrians resist such "a
proceeding 80 with the PIotesiants II they
have the power, and iDculcate this doctrine,
will not Catholic citizens do likewise
He spoke against the system Of reading the
Bible without comment, as provided by the
Board. No child, 10 man scarcely, without
the proper education, can perfectly understand
the Bible ty the mere reading TO them. They
could hot comprehend II perfectly. Questions
would arise-many differed ~ constructions OF
the Bble-sectarlanism at once then springs
up. aud here j. the great difficulty. lie loved
the Bible he revered il, but he deprec atei the
policy Of many sectarian-. who made their
seeming love Of that Holy Book hobby for
sectari4ni.m. The United states Government
is neither Il Protestant nor Catholic Govern
ment--so the State Of Iowa. Both un'uIled on
their broad banners freedom of religious opn
ions aud inalienable rights Of conscience.
This system Ut Public Schools IL supported
by taxes ON ALL CITIZENS alike. Shall any
part of our citizens be forced 10 pay taxes for
the support Of sectaiian schools contrary 10
their religious belief lie again expressed his
opinion that the School Board would, on re-
view of the matter and the resolutions laid be
fore them, reconsider and Withdraw their &C
ton in this matter He could not believe that
they would be Instrumental IN lnJurBg the Pub
lie schools or the great cause OF educ alton by
adnerlug to It. He concluded amid much ap
uldIse,