Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-12-09

The New Ork tribune thus re-
sdonds to correspondent who urges
the usual arguments for resisting the
gathering cry against the use of the
Bible and the teaching OF religious
creeds in our Public Schools:
We print the above verbatim, as a
warning to all who love our Common
Schools Of the breakers just ahead
We are in imminent danger of losing
those Schools through bigotry; and
this bigotry is by no means confined
to one sect or one side OF the question.
Let us consider;
l. G. II. assumed that the Roman
Catholics are hostile to the reading OF
the Bible in Schools. Suppose this to
be so, by what authority, on what
principle does he proposes to defy
that aversion and compel them to do
what he assumes that they will only
do under coercion: Who made him
their spiritual dictator?
ii. Whether the Roman Catholics
do or do not object to Bible reading.
it is notorious that Others do. There
are many who do not believe the Bi-
BILE inspired, or of any more authority
than any other collection ot ancient
poems, legends, chronicles, traditions,
rhapsodics: where IS the authority to
coerce these into having their children
taught to regard the Bible with rev.
erence which the parents do not feel?
On what principle do you compel He
brcws to have their children instruc-
ted in that New Testament which they
reject? In short, have you any con-
ception whatever of religions liberty
and equality?
III. G. ii. says he beliyes so and
SO concerning the Bible and religion,
as he has perfect right to do, and no
one has authority to gainsay him. But
others believe differently: what right
has he to thrust his convictions upon
their children, any more they have to
force their convictions upon his chill
drcn.
". G. II. insists that certain fun
damental religious truths las ne holds
them) ought to be incuicated through
our Common Schools. Here he. thinks
Is fighting the Roman Catholics, while
he is powerfully aiding thcn. Those
of them who are organizing an op-
position to our Common School sys-
tenn are fully agreed with him in MS
premises; they differ only in insisting
that theirs is the only true Church
that salvation is only found in her
communion, and that her dogmas
ought consequently TO bc taught in
Common Schools And these con-
fitting prctensious threaten to rena
Schools in twain. Why can't you see
that, on your foundation, the Catholic
supcrstructure stands firm?
V. In our view, the only practicable
mode OF saving our Common Schools
lies through the utter exclusion of re
lig!ous lnculcation therelrom. We
have set apart every seventh day for
religious teaching; those who see fit
are at perfect liberty to add a portion
of each secular day out ui school-hours.
Then why not have the teachers say
to the pupils, Religion is subject
of the very deepest concern; but we
are not at liberty to teach it, because
your parents are not agreed as to It's
nature and requirements. Yoar school
hours must therefore be devoted to
other themes; but your parents will
direct you how and where to obtain
due knowledge Of God and His laws
outside OF this building. Sunday is
set apart for religious teaching and
observances: be sure to improve it as
your parents direct" 1t seems to us
that we must come to tins. or we shall
see our Common Schools torn to
fragments.
Understand that it suits MS to have
the Bible read in schools when such
reading does not give offense. 1t was
read in the schools we attended; and
we thought well of it then, as we do
now. But we have no right to force
the reading of it upon those who OBJ
ject to it; tor, il we are to assume such
right, we virtually create an Estab-
lished Religion, which is directly tor
hidden by the Federal Constitution
Such establishment docs not depend
on the much or the little that men are
required to believe or assent to, bat
on their being required to assent to
aay creed or religious formula what
ever. That of G. II. may be excel
lent--it may he liberal--it may com
mand the assent CT a great majority;
but in matters Of cons c.ence majorities,
however vast, have no power TO coerce
or constrain the smallest and most ln-
significant minority. Whenever they
shall seriously attempt it, then good
bye, Common Schools!