The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-09

In almos. all the States Catholics have
endeavoIed to obtain 4 share OF the com
mon school fund for the education of then
own children, and thus save them from
the scourge Of intideGty. and the innumer-
able phases OF irrelgion which the false
philosophy of the day : calculated to in
culca,e. The point has not been gained as
vet but we should not be deferred from
pressing our claims, and keeping the JUS
zee OF or ea1se before the public. Truth
vii Ultimately triumph. Even those who
are not prepared to yield our just rights,
acknowledge there are some grounds for
complaint. Thus We find the following in
late number of the journal Of COM
merce:
We think this is wrong (the bill pro-
viding for the pecuniary assistance OF
number of paroehial schools, in New York
ecclesiastics,) although the case for the OPP
position is by no means as strong rs is gen.
erally represented. To the pious Catholic
the annual levy of a tax on his estate for
the maintenance Of common schools, to
which he cannot eOnscientiously send his
children, while he is denied any appropria-
ton fran the fund in the support of those
establishments where his offspring are edu-
Gated, will always appear to be, wrong
and an outrage, equal to the exaction OF
titles by England for the benefit Of the
Irish National Church. 1t is easy to assert !
that the common schools supported from I
the tax list are not sectafian i'll any often
e;ve sense. and ought not to be objection
able to the most cut Roman Catholic
but this is not l.: OF it, and there is
some foundation toI his prejudice. That |
il is sufficient reason for his desire to main
-, schools do hill
and we think it would be far better for his
family and his Church if he would cordially
accept the community of interest which
those public institutions are so we'll calcu-
1.tr.d to promote. But on the other hand,
il is undoubtedly true that much good is
which meet IA want not otherwise as fully
provided Tor: and from this standpoint,
the Catholic may well feel that he is ask
ing nothing Improper in soliciting for these
a share Of the money an
nually appropriated for the education of
children at the public expense. :
The true ground OF objection lies further !.
back. and will hc occupied at last by all
sound political Economists. Neither the l
State nor city should undertake any Gull :,
tu!e Of The peGnle out OF the public funds !;
II is Impossible to separate proper intellec- 4
.ual and moral .'ainine; and with human
nature us it is, no system can he adopted :
where the latter can be wholly divorced I
from sectarian teaching. me common :,
school system has seen its palmiest days.
At one time its advocates We're bent upon
extending its provisions to every branch of q q
instruction. so that a peoples
College" should graduate at the public ex- =
nense every pupil AesfeHs il himself # =
Is advantages, and willing to submit to its II =
discipline. There has been decided re- & :
lction from this sentiment, and the best !
friends of public education are beginning !
20 doubt the wisdom of these very liberal J
provisions for the gratuitous instruction of
he masses in all branches of polite litera
ure. The question is assuming more and
more OF practical shape every year, and t
lie difficulties will increase as religious ,
ects become more equally divided and in :
iueutial