The New York herald., 1870-02-21

who retired full Of fscA figures ana ideas on piesy,
politics and pecaniary dcnations.to sectarianism
In opening his adtifesa DR.. Thompson stated that
the question before MIN WAS not properly theologi.
cal or an ecclesiastical one, as between different
1t question Of political parties yet It concerned
equally the purity q religion and the peace o. tns
state, lie y voxsd for s discussion the sps 2,
adhere to the single point Of the separation OF The
state from the Ohnrch as vital 70 the welfare OF botn
and would expose the injustice OF subsdzing reit.
gtous secss by taxtng the people al large. rhc
separation OF Church and State is wise and neces-
ssary for both parties. It IS highly desirable
should be religious IN tone and spirit, but
the State m ifs organic capacity is not
adapted TO choose religion or 10 direct IN religious
AFFAIRS. Religion ~ q matter OF the individual con.
science. and cannot De regulated Dy law or the ma
tority. Hence always maintained that we had no
right 10 enforce the reading or tue Bole as an exer.
else or an act OF devotion In the common schools
The Bpie ID the textbook or all Christians But TO
the Jew the New Testament Is book OF tables, and
we had no more right 70 Insist upon teaching his
chhd the New Testament than ne has 10 insist upon
teaching ours the Talmud. TWO yeislons OF the
Bible, the Douay and KING James' are In coulpet
ton between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Who should determine which shall be reads The
malorityt But that IL rule that supverts ITSELF
the state. Imagine our legislators adjudi.
eating upon the relative value OF Bible ver-
We cannot susr 0u Inc sass ssf e meaas ss'n IL
such amatter. Nearly twenty years ago. in Eng
lard, when tile independents were clamoring for
religious schools, the lecturer being called upon by
Mr. Cobden to testify before committee OF Parlia-
ment concerning cur common school system, took
ground IN favor Of tue secular school. AZ the only
kind Of educatlON proper TO be supported Dy the
State. He had lived 70 see the great body OF the
English Independents come over to that ground. HIS
position on TINS pou he SAID, Is not taken to meet
any present contnges bur ress upon principle that
has been tested byexperience that the state shall
OF religion; and above ALL snai not pay to bud up
sect This great principle Is necessary both for the
peace OF the state aud the purity OF religion But OF
iate years an attempt DaS been made, es-
peciay IN this city, to securethe aid Of the state d.
fecty to the support OF particular Church--a fact
notably iiiustrated in the granting to the Roman
Catholics by lease or GIT OF properly on Foursn and
Fhth avenues now worth over S3,000,000.
M me attempt is made 20 use the state to
BiDte as An exercise does not make the school reli.
giOus There Is public institution In this city where
waers everybody Who seeks Inc Dement'S q sas ns
tuton must declare hs allegiance TO the Btbie yet
am not aware that the Custom House has special
atmosphere Of sanctity and morality through keep
ing the Bible 10 swear by. And does the use OF the
Bible keep bribery out OF our courtst Religion II
poorly poe u clad 70 70 5 School, esa es them as 'Os
clothed aud fed by the common unsecsartau
sharlnes % o. o. the Daelici or, the state provides
board. Why should such children be sent
TO Roman Catnoiic school or any other sectariau
room for all In sls present schools vet more schoo
houses be hulJ. But with room for thousa ndf
more IN the common schools, four Hundred thous
and dollars had been given the past year TO Roman
Catholic institutions in TINS city manly for schoo
purposes. Now what Is Taught IN these churct
schools which Is not taughy well, II not better
In the common schooiss IL II arithmetic
geography, grammar, history. writing or mu
scr No. Tne one thing taught IN these school,
and the thing Tor witch they are set up II
the religious doctrine Of q particular church
This the Tabtet and the C1thOnc World openly con
tend for. THIS the Rev. Mr. Preston avowed in nj,
address at Cooper Institute. They want the scnOO
iund divided 80 that they eau use It under the
ton Of tnsr priesthood In teaching their own reli
gion. An ecclesiastical corporation has largely
gained control OF our city government, and Is AIM
ing TO control the State government for own end
as church. We must res0lutely oppose tnts en-
croachnent upon the sacred principle embodied b,
our fathers IN the organic life OF the nauon and IN
sst that both religion and the State shall be Tree 8n
Independent. ana NO lavOrltlsm to any sect at tn
COST OF The people.