The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-06
THE NEW YORK. SUN
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. G. 1851


a violent agitation now exists in both Eng
land and ireland on the subject Of Edu,ation.
Inc duty aud necessity Of educating tho m uses
is generally conceded, but no two parties agree
respecting the means to be adopted and all
parties and sects unite in teprccadne any M.
tempt Of the government TO take the matter uu.
der its exclusive control lest their petty inter
tsts should suffer in consequence Of he filler DO
Neiopment Of the reas' 1ing powers cf the peo-
pie. In a late speech, delivered IN England, ty
MIR. DIsRAErr, he insisted that the education
c' the rising generation properly belongs to the
National Episcopal Church, aud that i's peculiar
tenets should be incueatei side by side with
secular instruction. To this the great body Of
the Di'scntcrs who seem 10 represent whatever
true pe'y may exist IN England among tho
middle and lower classes, reasonably enough
object. As it csnno, he proved that Ignorance
is conducive to the religious and moral
hyelopmont OF nar, but rather tho 70.
verse, Americans, who, ~ their benefcent in
stitutions enjoy the advantages of tho best
secular and religious irS,fu-tion for the poorc,,
Of their population came, tut regrot that good
men should he found on the other side Of the
Atlantic, who, with tho Bible in their hani,.
dare impiou,ly TO sumo that the chiliron Of
the poor shsll hot ho taught to read it except
their mental optics a-s twisted 20 narrow sec
tartan squiut
The annual coet to tho En.lish nation or odu.
eating its entire population i, far les, than i,
pad hy tic State ,f New YORK alons, for IL.
comparatively limited population The i,nor.
ance Of the masses of the English people is
den.c and gross, aLd has often attracted the AT
tiou Of state mon, bat tho difficulties wc have |
stated, have been sufficiently great to defeat
every plan that has hitherto been proposed.
In Ireland fortunately, better state of |
things prevails, and splendid system of ma
tional education-organizoc chiefly through tho
cNcrtions Of Archbishop WitArrLY, 10 provide
A thorough course of mental AMI moral trlinip,,
Tor the children Of the poor. This system, in
all its details, Is admirable. Its best feature ia
modelled on the American plan, Of leaving the
religious instruction OF tho children where IL
more properly belongs, to the voluntary care of
their ecclesiastical teachers. To this .ystcm.
here is little doubt, tho increased intelligence
and order Of the rising generation in Ireland
arc manly attributable. But, unfortunately
'ectarian bitterness deprivcs it Of half its beno
its, and Protcstants and Catholics are alik,
i-piDious Of the effects Of the instruction which
hey cannot eNlu,iy,ly control.
OF lto the controversy i' renewed In conss-
iucncc OF the activity Of Sir RouEET PEEL. tho
! 81 Chief $ .rc'try for Ireland to give tho
Ia'ionh system increased efficiency DIR. CuI..
sN, In no measured teIms condemns the Secro.
ary ior contemplating tho erection Of another
'ollef"' aud char that II would provo detr-
mental to tic faith Of the Catholic population.
10 this Sir RonEEr rEFi r,plios that he is
- ----i--' - 80 "trai Jht faruar.li,. t.-' e.
lasses and croOda "it- ~..i -,t;~- A. --r
,ort Of the majority of the people, who will dis
cn their true interests, and avail themselves
If the beneficial measures of the Goyornmont
or their advancement in knowledge.