Le Louisianais. [volume] (Convent, La.) 1865-1883, 1867-12-14
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL QUESTION.
INJUsTITIA IN EQurLIBRro,

Simple and commr place though at first sight IL
soems,-to find an integible. and at the same time
q geaeNy accepta' ls definition for ''man," has, age
after age occupied the attention of phosophic wits,
and witty philosophers Common consent however,
seems to have settled down in favor of that promu-
gated by Dr.. Adam Smith, who defines "man'' as
ian animal that makes bargains" and he supports
the propriety of the definition by asserting that "no
other animal does this-one dog does not bargain
with another for an exchange Of bones.''
Good. as far as it goes but we think it does not
go far enough, We opine too that if the Scotch eco.
nonlist had been acquainted with "Noah Webster
nnabriag"d,' his definition would partake more of
completeness be more replete with vet ceteras";
and therefore, less subject to the charge of def
ciency
In spite of our native modesy, we undertake to
supply the philosorhic Scots inadequacy.
"Man is animal that undertakes to "reconstruct'
the mote in his neighbors eye, while the beam in
his own offers no impeachment" !"
| Every thing within and without US: every thing
transpiring around us. illustrates the anatomy Of
human action comprised in this definition; but our
object at present is to point ont its specific applica-
tion to a subject lately much agitated, and which
deeply concerns our own people Of Louisiana-ths
Public School question.
For long series Of years, the Catholics Of this
State, largely in the majority have protested in vain
against ,hr injustice of taxing them for the support
of an Institution of which they conscientionsly dis
approved. Not only were their expnstulations un-
| needed not alone their efforts to obtain re-
dress. derded by the minority in power, but the
Press with some honorable exceptions, temporizing
and trucking lent its influence to perpetuate .
wrong which it ought to be foremost in condemn
ing.
But now see how 'sthe equilibrium is established"
how the equipose of niqnity balances the injus-
tice perpe,rated by arbitrary power!
So long as it was only question Of Catholics
being compelled to pay for the education Of others
and maintain their own educational establishments
as we'll. neither the Press nor the non-cathoc por.
ton of the people could see it's injustice The ag-
grieved Catholic population were insoently told that
the Schools open to them, and that if they failed
to use them the blame attached to themselves. Thus
was insult added to Injustice, and the Insult greatly
aggravated moreover, by the petty despotism which
altogether ignored. valued at zero, the Catholic
, conscence-the conscience of the undoubted MAJ
iority.
But when lately, the advocates of Negro equality
Gan abomination, by the way, which no sane mind
could seriously entertsn) insisted on throwing open
2 the Public Schools to all classes, conditions, and
colors, alike. the tune changed. and the coll
umns Of the Press rang with denunciatinns of the
injustice of devotng the money of the whte folks
to the support of establishments which they could
r not conscientously for the education of their
: children
Courses, like chickens come home to roost !" This
: provrrb might be amplifed so as to include every
species of injustice And in truth there is no tenet
of Christian doctrine better settled than that every
wrong must have its retribntion here hereafter
: But, as Corporations, in their organized capacity,
have future it follows that retributive Justice
in some shape or other must be meted ont to them
here befUw. Af1 II urFJr7ss7d ssou1tcTr
r people are now feeling the rgor Of the measure
n which they decried the Catholic populations for not
IS being satisfied with.
e Opposed As are to tyranny, in what form
exstng advocates too, to the extent OF our
10 humble abilities, unhesatingly proclaim our
!; selves be- Of that universal liberty which has truth
D. for it's basis-"truh" universal truth; Heaven.be
J. slowed and Heavens TRUTH without which
IS liberty soon degenerates into lcentiousnes. ant
IS eventually into deahdeang anarchy-it is not fo
e moment to be supposed that We have any sym