The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-01-08
A pinsr.n, o,i,;o,-

Our columns are open to the discussion Of
all topics that are of public nature, without
regard to party or opinion, 50 long as the
communications are expressed with propri-
ETY.. confined to legitimate subjects, and re-
strained within reasonable bounds, reserring
OF course. 10 ourselves. Mt all times. the right
of comment, IS we may consider proper. We
believe In free press, and in the free expres-
sion and exchange of sentiment believing
with Thomas Jefferson that truth has no cause
to fear fair contest with error Accordingly
We publish the following communication from
lady respecting the Bible in the public
schools of our State:
EDIroEs ISDEPESpEST-what better evil
dence could possibly be had of the worth of
the Bible than in the faithful persecution Of
il for ages! ~ z .
Out of college. court and hall: out of school
and church, Satan has, and would s,ill fur
ther kick ii. Shall he succeed in EIku? Shall
the best book not be read, or Gods help in
teaching be asked in your schoolsl We hope
not; but We are very much afraid that In the
family circle. that book has only an existence
in form, if any at all; that il Is treated very
much as poor relation; the least heard of or
seen the better Well, what book shall we
subsfituteI Shall il be Shakespeare, or Byron.
or Confucius? Has there been found better
comforter in trial, or guide in prosperity? We
want Tor the answer. and in the meantime hope
Satan shall not succeed in Elko in banishing
the Bible from the children's daily ear Y.
We differ from the conclusions OF the writer
believing that the public schools should be
maintained entirely free from all disturbing in
huences arising from religious differences.
The public schools were not created. and are
not maintained for religious instruction. Chill
dren are not sent there for that purpose. To
divert the schools from their legitimate pur-
pose. and involve them in the slightest degree
with sectariAn controversies, can result in no
good, but possibly in much damage. In
some remote, secluded district, where the en-
tire population is of one mind on the subject.
there would be little objection, but in those
larger towns, composed Of representatives
from every part Of the world, including every
variety Of religious beliefs, great care should
be taken TO avoid every element Of discord
or of wounding the feelings of any. The late
disturbances in Cincinnati and Chicago on
this question ought TO be a warning.
But few will be disposed 10 quarrel with the
lady writer about the merits Of the volume;
but she app rs, in her zeal for what she con-
siders night, to forget that there are different
versions and translations. sud that which she
might consider the Testament may not be &C.
cepted as such by others who hold the original
In equal reverence. II the Douay version,
instead Of the King James translation, were 10
be used in the schools, probably she would
object as strongly as she now insists She
should remember that the sensibiGities and
rough corners Of prejudice in others Ie enti-
tied to as much consideration as her own,
This excessive, aggressive zeal for prosely,-
ing, however well-intended. become n source
Of evil when it ouirnns discretion. and breaks
into field which above all others should be
neutral ground.