The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-02
Railroad Sale at Marde
-Jhe Bible Question ard The Pub.
lie Schools.

9ailF0ad Sale at CiaeiRnatt-Ma Marde
The Bible Question ard The Pub.
lic Schools.
GINGIINNATf, Dec I.-The Ciocin-
natl, Wellington an3 Zabesyilse Road
vas sold this Afternoon. TO satisfy
European holders Of million three
hundred thousand dollars worth of
bOnds, With two years accrued inter
est. at per cent One Hundred and
thirfy-one mIles OF the read from
Morrow 20 Z1nesvilie. Is locomotives.
16 passenger, 20 freight, cattle and
coal cars. and real estate worth $780,
O0O, sold for one million seven hua-
dred thousand dollare, with the
unpaid stock out.
Thomas u. Jewett purchased Il, it
is supposed. for the Pennsylvania
Central. CHARLES Moran represented
the European bondholders.
A meeting Of committee from the
counties along the proposed line of
the Columbus and MaysYiIle Road; in
conjunction with the incorporators of
the same, was held at the Burnet
House this afternoon and in the even
ing. The latter meeting conferred
with President Jewett, OF the Pan
Handle, with a hope of the assurance
that the Pennsylvania Central would
iron and stock the road.
if the people would grade 1t. Jewett
assured a favorable co operation. but
declined definite pledges for the
present, owing to the large schemes
on hand, Of che Pennsylvania Gen.
tTal, till Spring. From Columbus to
Aberdeen, has been surveyed, and is
l07 miles. The profit and surveys
are to be sent 10 Jewett. Books will
be opened for subscription of stock,
on January l3s next year.
Atatal quarrel occurred at Augusta.
Kentucky, on Tuesday afternoon. Jas.
Asbury shot and killed William Rev
nolds, who had interfered Ia the
, quarrel (atout the price of cattle) be-
tween Asbury and young Reynolds.
The deceased belonged TO the firm
of Reynolds, Powell a. CO., Augusta.
All the parties were respectable.
On the Bible question, In the Su-
perior Court. George Il. Sage spoke.
His argument was, that the Constitu-
tion declares religion essential to good
government, ana that was the tirst
reason assigned from the establish
ment of the common schools. The
religion meant by the Constitution is
religion of the Bible. No other re-
ligion can be observed In Ohio
without violation of the statute
law. Constitutional recolnition is
recognition Of its truth aud divinity
OF religion the great conservative ele
ment OF society, and gives the law,
the majesty of power aud the highest
authority of our Government. bound
by regard for our own safety and
welfare, to furnish those who are 10
become its citizens such instruction
/ In the elemen airy truths of religion az
can be impaired without interieripa
with our rights of the conscious read.
ing of the Bible without note or com.
ment, conveys elemental truths, and
leaves individuals free to choose az
to their doctrines.
The defendants admit that religious
instruction is indispensable to make
children good citizens-that a large
number would not receive it except
ia the public schools.
The Board of Education have M
right to omit this instruction on ac
count of prejudices, sectarianism, O
rights of conscience defioed by thu
Constitution, and by the history anC
policy of the State, not BY the whiH
or caprice of the citizen.
First, the right of conscience is tha
all sources of Information shall b.
open and free to every man, woman anC
child. 1t is a dogma of despotism
notthe doctrine of liberty, that one
view alone Of religion shall be give1
TO the child? Who is to exercise thii
right of conscience for self. o electors
Their rights Of conscience are fully
protected by the rule of the school:
excusiug their children from all re
ligious Instruction in the schools.
Mr.. Sage concluded in the after
noon, having spoken for four aud ,
half hours.
Judge Stanley Matthews, who is al
Elder of the Presbyterian Church
followed for the defendants. He sale
his appearance cost him a sever,
mental effort. Except the loss of hi
dear children, 1t was the most painful
experience of his life. He was as
sailed, not by enemies, but by friends
He was charged with opposition Il
the Bible and loss of his Christian
reputation, yet he considered it hi
duty to appear. He deprecated thi
discussion as looking to the tranfer 0
religious contest to political parties
He thought the whole contest wa
over a small matter.
Reading the Bible would not d,
one tithe the harm that would resul
from a violation Of conscience by en-
forcing the old rule. He charged tn
Counsel with insisting upon tin
establishment of the Protestant re
ligion by the State. He read a com
munieation to the New York Inde
pendent, by Rev. w. II. Bellows
which he characterized as sound
aud nothing else. He discussed thi
question, and warned the Catholic
that civil war would result if the,
, pushed their pans for the destruc
ton of the public schools. lie SAT-
every.Word of that letter was eontain
ed in the argument Of the counsel O
the other side. The Court adjourne
before his argument was concluded
The courtroom was crowded wit
ladies and principal citizens.