The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-09-16
For The TRIBUNE.
Free Schools, Select, ~ Catholicism
6C

For The TRIBUNE.
Free Schools, Select, ~ Catholicism
&c,
A dark and brooding danger is casting
it's portentious shadow slowly along the
longitudinal limits of our country | al
Jude to the opposition to our free school
system; to the attempt by certain relig-
ious fanatics to establish kind of relig-
ious hierarchy by which our children are
to be educated. [ need not say one word
to the American, whether adopted, or
American by birthris ht) Of the excellence
of our free schools; | will address myself
wholly to the task of noticing it's enemies.
Is it known to you fellow citizens that the
catholic church, like Shiny hated reptile
of the lower regions has been, and now
is, stealthily, but securely, winding its
fatal tolls about the very vitals of the ma
ton? That from the Eastern confines OF
Europe, to the Western shores of Ameri-
| ca, Papists and Jesuits meet in quiet, and
secret conclavc to dethrone our country
Of the last yestige if it were possible, of
her freedom How can you, who love
your children, you who are working to
ensure your loved ones peace and happi-
ness in the future, sit there Indifferent
while these things are transporting? Turn
where you may, you find catholic
churches in process of erecting, catholic
SCHOOLS for the education of our chill
dren; catholics are by far the most en-
terprising purchasers and builders in
our large cities, purchasing in some in
stances million dollars worth of real es-
tate at a time, for the erection of their
Internal snares, dignifed by such names
as nunneries and schools There are a
few other religious institutions aiming at
the same end allude to all of those
! churches, which have schools attached to
them, as a kind Of catchall, or trap. The
Episcopalian is no exception to the rule
they too arc using tn cir influence to break
down the system of free schools, by Civ
ing sway and power to their institutions
which they dignity as schools! Of course
such institutions are in one respect
schools; but all that is to be learned cor
rectly from them is, their religious tenets
creeds, as to literature I solemnly avow,
know of no institutions (as rule) con
tanning less real hnoUledge, teaching less
OF the things necessary to be taught, thar
these same, so-called schools. And how
could it be otherwise?
We will not willingly engage the servi
ces of teacher nowadays, unless we
are convinced that he has availed him
self, in some manner, of the facilities OF
school teaching, learned either III our in
I stitutes, or at our normal schools. Now
these religious teachers knowing nothing
of the new method Of teaching, will not
expose their ignorance by visiting and
taking part in the institute, but to cover
! ignorance, put on an owl like appear
ance of wisdom and keep silent with re-
gard to teaching and educational mat
GERS. If my readers have ever met with
one of these sectarian teachers who SPOKE
the English language, with any of the
changes made since George the Sd, they
are more fortunate than Lampman.
Their school houses ~, are arranged
and built more like sepulchres for the
dead than for the living-they pay no
regard to the laws Of health and physi-
olosy. Tor in the days of the ancient king
those things were not studied and yet
we have men thoughtlcss enough to en-
trust their children 10 the care of these
peculiar institutions, with a full belief
and confidence. that they are doing for
them kind act. and bestowine unon
them useful knowledge. If all parents
were themselves educated, this would be
otherwise, but that can not be.
Now the first point to Which I would
invite the readers attention. is, the ,e
tect which the encouragement of these
catholic and parochial schools have unon
the free school system and secondly the
effect OF building up catholicism. Our
tree schools could not be supported with
out the public mind IN its favor. AS
these churches increase in strength and
vigor, they of course carry a greater
share of public sympathy and favor; let
them become strong enough, and the
more will be put on-foot to do away with
taxes for the support of free schools;
and then their friends and co workers
will rally around one sensational standard
the shylocks, and skinfints who have
no children, will join them, and oppose
the school tax; rotten politicians will see
an opening for new plank in their plat
forms and some party, (probably the
copperheads) will adoptit as punchion
and away will slide our free school system
as one of the wrecks of the past. This,
gentle reader is no idle dream, no politi-
cal sensation; already in some of our
larger cities has the blow at the free
school system been struck, by these
classes, and in the manner above referred
to. Of course, if every voter took an
interest 10 free schools, there would be
nc danger in the direction indicated, for /