New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-03
THE B1BLB IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
CONTINUATION OF THE ARGUMENT BEFORE THE
SIPREMF COURT OF OHIO.

CONTINUATION OF THE ARGUMENT BEfOhE Ahb
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 2.-The interest in the Bible
Question before the Supreme Court does not abae Cti
zens tbropg the courtroom and the floor and galleries
are crowded. Judge Mathews for the Defense began
his argument yesterday and at the noon recess to-day
ne had been speaking four hours His argument con
sumed the afternoon. The Hon. Rufus King VIII MAKE
the closing argument for the plainn tomorrow Ile
decision " the Court will probably not DC rohueIeu ioi
Judge Mathews took up the first two questions sug-
gested by the Court FIRST Whether the reading OF the
Bible teaching sectarlan dogma ana Seeona Why
should the reading the Bible be dispensed with when
Catholics refused to send their children to schools Where
there religious Instruction IN answer 70 tie
rst he said Religious instruction as proposed by the
plaintiff was seearan Inc Bloe was Icad az Io id
Book of Revelation from Heaven when Is u dogha Nc,u
only by Protestant Christians the jews hel1 INC rev
Testament 10 be blasphemous ana Gatnotcs uefu b
the Bible is the source OF truth except az ~
their church therefore, to read the ole 10 te way
sect as law OF the state. IN replI 70 p . ia r
question he said he had no doubt the CathOcs hea pre-
csely the views that were held Dy the genicon
on the other sde-that State should provide religious
instruction they now wanted 10 seeuLilze scGoAS a.
those now attempting to have the schools MADE
vehicle Of religous instruction Instruct f,rd 1 aDS
give our children the religious instruction we thnA IL
right and you give yours THIS would Iol9w II se 9 ne
disclaimed being Catholic. or jew or lnIdeI ne wa
Christ and if asked the ground Of his faith would not
dence Of Cbrt existence and grace in his heart And,
he continued / nave more than Heavenly Witnesses
have i've witnesses before the Throne waiting for
and calling for me to JON them This is my creed He
oncuded by saving that because he Christian he
desired to exercise the attributes OF Christi TO be just 10
Do charitable; TO take Into the arms OF MS human sym
ratby a classes Of men. He would abate nothing OF his
belief but he would at the same time be magnanlmols
10y else 70 subscribe 10 ms cIeeu
lie charged the ultimate result OF the argument OF
plaintiff that Protestant Constantly was an es
good governments that because the Church has not the
power 10 compel people TO attend its instructions while
the State has, therefore the state must exercise H. ne
claimed that the School Board In TINS matter had useo
to review exercise OF legal discretion BE illus,
Irated this by surprising case where schOO DOaru ha
for compelling them TO provide Tor religions IN
structiOn. Judge Mathews proceeding 70 say tnat
Shere were persons who we're not entitled up
right of conscience, when Judge Storer deDled mang
Mathews his seat declining 10 speak further but at
che solicitation of counsel and OF the court ne resumed
his argument referring to the case in Howard, Nidea
ag The Executors Of the Grard Estate In secoud Har
rlngton
HENRY WARD BEECHER ON THE SCHOOL
QUESTION.
The policy of State In regard to public
schools undergo rgld discussion. But there is
question TO be settled before we reach that Has state
the right provide instruction at all We must argue
this question from the ground Of the recognized Amer
can principles government, and not from the customs
and claims of mOnarchical Governments. IL Is admitted
tnat the state has no business 10 teaeh region' or 70
show partalty to one or another sect IN regon moa
instruction RENTED TO other agencies ana IL Is con
Ceded that the state beyond It's sphere In providing
for any form OF religious instruction On what ground
then, has the State q night 70 provide for popular
edde with religion also forbid it TO meddle with intel
Igeuce first view it would seem as II lntelli,
aeuce and religion In their relations TO the civil
Government. stood upon the ground. closer
examination Will show that they do not Every state has
a right to secure it's own existence rePnDhcan gov,
eminent stands primarily upon moral lnnuencel ana
secondarily upon force. II the great majority
of the fee citizens are opposed TO the Gov
eminent, force can long MAINTAIN lts
AUTHORITY republican government, then, must depend
upon intelligent consent Of It's citizens IL Is the right
OF every such intelligence in Its citizens as
shall enable the people to understand the laws the policy
and the dOings or the Government That which Jusnes
State in maintaining free common schools Is the Iunda
mental fact that Government for the sake OF It's own
existence has right TO secure the means OF ntegent
intercourse with citizens State education Is 10 be
excellence the ground that 1t Is Indispensable 10
very existence OF civil government a1ter rep1Dcan
form. THIS reason is so urgent that II would oe
wise for the people make II imperative for clti-
Gems TO have enough education TO secure intelligent
understanding OF their obligations 70 the Government
aud of the proper administration by the government OF
its trusts for the people The State needs morality ana
virtue in citizens But 10 10 not indispensable
citizens should be Cavinists or Arminans, Prot
estants or Catholics, Christians OF any sect
Now ourselves believe that the Bible in schools
would DO d world Of good and no harm. We wish that
everybody thought as we DO when ali the nhsDitahts
OF district agreed IN having the Bible, they should
have the liberty OF making II TEXTBOOK IN
schools But; when the parents are OF Pin, mixed red
Bible to be the word Of God 1t is not right TO compel
their children TO read it, hear 1t read. This is religious
cOmpulsiOn, 1t as you may II s taxing men for
the propagation Of opinions which they repudiate. A
compulsory Bible in schools Il not IN accordance with
American doctrines OF the bertyOf conscience Educa
ton is political necessity. IL Is fundamental civil
duty II the State has not right 70 establish free
schools then II has right 70 lay the indispensable
foundations Of its own permanence. Republican gov
ernments must have an intelligent common people
schools the factors OF Intelligence. They must
be maintained. seetsrlanism must not be allowed to
pervert them. II the Bible is the entering wedge OF
sectariansu 10 the common schools, them much "a we
prize IT, the Bible must be taken ont OF the common
schools iChflsuan Union.