The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-03-18
COMMENECATEON.


WILMoRE, March "A, 1s7l-
-Hr. hduor-Although am not a subscriber
10 10 your valuable paper, I occasionally trespass
Journal received by other parties Henc, il was
that IN looking over the Cambria Freeman of
l,t' f.il Iil,t' 1 was surprised TO find that Il cor
respondent signing himself ''Soltero' had devo-
yea tSu some seven lines to discussing the state of
"el hcf ana crops, nine lines to Squire Mil
ier appointment as Notary Public, and tho.
Ttst OF ms epIstle, comprising about oHc hundred
tthtS, TO my humble self. with slight Sprink ling
against the Republican members of the School
buard OF SumlnerhiIl township. and also con
Deyiig the idea that it is crime tJ PRAY read
uc DTd ~ God Sly first intention to let
th thlH attack ON me pass unnoticed, but on fur
ther reflection |. changed my mind, fearing it
might wound the gentleman's u vanity to let
S%uTh % a herculcan effort pass without notice.
10 open your columns to a reply.
IN the hrst place, theiI- | had no lln owled@e
whatever that there was any discussion"
among the citizens or the School Board respect
school, and am slow to believe even after pc
ruSIng ''SOlterO'S' communications that there
l. II pcrSOn in the School Board or out of it. uu-
less he be an Atheist that would raise his voice
against prayer or the Word of God. Even inf
delS- who reject the inspiration of the sacred
code of morals ever laid down by man; and
know of no law III Republican America that
torhldS prayer or the reading of the Bible in the
schools and th0Rk GOd thai ICC lice ia such q
hnd. But do believe that II resolution of the
School Board would bc final and conclusive,
ana ] would abide by such a decision; but ann
free to say that / would cease to labor where
was deprived of such glorious privilege. In
however, was infringing on no law or resolu-
ton. and did only what l believed to be my du-
~ and privilege, the same rs those teachers who
teach the Catholic catechism to Catholic chill
dren in mixed" schools; and may add that in
one of those schools, controlled by fall board
of Republican directors. not Al single voice has
ever been raised against it. My object wIs not
To draw or enttce amy child from the faith OF
its parents, ana no pupil viii say that ever at
tclaptcd to explain or comment on the few
verses which read, ana my prayer was sim
PIE invocation Tor guldahcc ana protection; 7;
and no pupil of Catholic parcntage was ever re-
quircd TO he present at those services, but when
theY entered the schooi room NolniltaIlly' the!
were required to observe proper dcCUrum,
which they often refused to do. And l may
further add that those same pupils on many Oc-
c;tSiOns by their conduct reflected no credit on
the parents VINO brought them up, II Mr.
Saltero Wlll allow me the use OF that expires
sion. Ny notes to the parents in question was
simply to inform them that thcir children were
conduct cXcrting bad influence on the other
pupils; and in doing this did not think it NO
cessary TO bring ancient or modern lore INTO re
QUESTION, as jH this case at least the parties adj
dressed would scarcely have understood me-
Nor WAS advised by one Of The directors TO con-
time the reading OF Gods W. ord another week
that JcdS my 0tcn dctcI1HiHdtjoH.
The political complexion of the School
Board is three Republicans and three Demo-
Gratis, and your correspondent should know
that If there were only usO Democrats and one
Republican should vote with them To reject
the Word OF God, they would still lack one of
Whit Il wi1ic field for speculation and reflec-
tiun there IL in ''SoltcruS' cpistIc. Judging
from his remarks we are 10 take it for granted
that Democrats reject prayer ana the bible
Can it be that we have such Il mighty host as
the Democratic party who neither fear God or
keep his for God commands
men everywhere to pray. But | do not believe
that "SOitcrO' i = correct exponent of Demo
cratic views on this subject. 1 dO think, how
ever, that he has proved himself a liuea! de-
SCcndant OF some one of those who were on the
stage OF action during the dark ages OF the world
and glOTiCd IN ing the sacred scriptures bur
led under the ground ana in having the penal TN-
of death inflicted on any one who dared TO read
them.
In conclusion, allow me to say that ''SGlteroS''
views are too contracted fer the present day
and generation, but | trust that he may see the
error of his way and CnlcaNOT in the Iuturc to
cultivate u more liberal and Christian spirit
MAGGIE BIACk.