Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-31
wORCE 5 TER
FROM BOSTON.
Bosrox, January 80, 1s6:


now aud then matter Of personal gossip, not |
elsewhere published. The four days debate
on the Bible quest in the house, eliminated |
TO day, the friends Of the petitioners winning
decided triumph. It is well known in Wor-
cester county, how this question came TO oc-
cupy so conspicuous share of public atteu-
ton at this peculiar and inappropriate season
If any season can be Inappropriate, for do.
ing acts OF Justice and reforming unequal laws
Willie Burns the Catholic school boy who re.
fused 10 read the Protestant testament in pref
erence to his own, probably never dreamed of
the talk he was 10 make in the world, or
that his simple and unconscious act would be
instrumental in bringing about a needful
change in the statutes of the commonwealth
You will be happy TO learn that tile case is ap-
preaching a speedy and, after the first flush
OF feeling passes away satisfactory adjust.
ment.
When the subject rose last Monday-the
question being on tile bill providing that con
scientIous scruples should be a sufficient
reason for relieving teacher or a scholar
from the obligation of reading the Protestant
version OF the Bible-Mr Murphy of Wor.
cester introduced the discussion in a very
becoming and appropriate manner, stating in
courteous and well expressed phraseology the
circumstances which forced the matter upon
the Legislature, and earnestly asking that the
same consideration might be shown to the
convictions Of Catholics on this point as was
manifested when their assistance was wanted
by the tax. collectors, or their strong arms
were needed in the field. 1t was Mr.. Murphy's
maiden effort in the house, and his modest
bearing, united with his manifest fairness and
sincerity, gave very favorable impression to
all who heard him
Conspicuous among the opponents of the
object desired by the petitioners was the Rev.
Serene Howe OF Marshtied lie stood first
in the discussion chronoogcally, and first in
good sense and ability OF those who cham
poned that side o! the cause Mr.. Howe is
Baptist clct gyman Of very striking appear.
ance, a fluent and energetic speaker, enter
tains devoted horror OF catholicism, and has
OF course, given himself much needless sor
row in imagining evils which grow out of tue
proposed reform. Mr.. Cushing astonished the
gentleman one day by calling him to order
just as be was approaching one Of his most
impressive climaxes. Some reference had
been made TO the respectability of the petit
toner's for change in the law, when MIR
Howe replied in substance that, he did not
care how respectable they were he had
known good men, respectable men, who ne er
did anything against rum or slavery; he
wanted man who, when he had chance,
would strike against rum, ana when he had
the power would strike against slavery; and
was just proceeding TO make the application
when Mr.. Cushing, who bad been quietly
sitting at the desk in front Of the speaker
musing upon what great thoughts | know
not, called him energetcaiIy to order on the
point Of irrelevancy that rum
and slavery were not pertinent TO this debate
Mr.. Howe was requested to adhere to the
subject matter before the house, and did not
again attempt 10 smite any bodys idols-save
the Catholics?
Mr.. Manning OF Reading, Mr. Church OF
Westport, Mr.. Wright of Boston, and Mr..
Thompson OF Goshen, were also among the
more jealous opponents of the measure. The
gentleman first named though not a graceful
or entertaining speaker has no lack OF force
and self-cOnfdence, which empts him to offer
his views on a great variety OF subjects On
this subject he tooN the ground that it is the
development Of a jesuitical pot to break
down the Bible, and seemed to concentrate his
Indignation upon the much esteemed pastor OF
St Anne's church in Worcester. Ills strong
point, which he used with striking effect, was
to hold copy OF the Bible in his upifted
hand, solemnly protesting at the same time
that that was the mark at which all these ar
rows OF popery and inidelity were aimed As
a tabeau, it was very striking, | trustI shall
not be thought to speak Of this subject with
unbecoming leyity. The intelligent citizens
Of Worcester county, whom this whole subject
nearly concerns, will be quite as torcibly
struck with the absurdity and injustice of such
Il misrepresentation Of the position of those
who were asking only that the law may be
permitted to recognize the liberty OF con-
science, which is fundamental to civil liberty
and which we all in generalites profess to re-
spect.
1t may not be improper in this connection
to aIlude to one Of the methods by which the
public judgment has been studiously misled
upon this subject. Tho Old South prayer
meetings, while this subject has been under
consideration, became by some strange illusion
impressed with the conviction that the Bible
itself was the subject OF attack, and under.
stand that most earnest supplicaions were
made that it might not receive such proaua.
ton at the hands of the legislature. A con-
siderable number of circumstances have also
been returned from various towns, one OF them
respectfully signed from the city OF Worcester,
starting with the groundess and unjust as
sumption that an effort was on foot to legslate
the Bible out Of the public schools ard pray.
ing that it might moi be done. The petitions,
or circumstances rather, are all of one form
sent out of Boston, for the apparent intent Of
prejudicing cause, which, resting on its own
merits and truthiully maintained, could not
fail 10 commend itself to the good sense and
Judgment Of the common wealth.
The measure has been ably defended by n
considerable number Of influential members of
the house, among whom may be mentioned
Rev Aiessrs Heard OF Clinton, Tyler of Ma