The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-04

municipal political rights and liberties II is
true that Napoleon had an excuse for Lis arbi-
trary rule of Paris in the oft demonstrated in.
capacity OF the Parisians to govern them.
selves. All that there is of the practical in
their theory of governmental theory which,
1t must b. admitted, contains some noble
ideas--are made subordinate to those de
structive principles whose only effect
is tue subversion of society. Now, we
heartily agree with Mr. Beecher. that il Is
necessary TO educate the urban populations OF
France up to those sublime doctrines of Chris
tianity which are deemed essential TO the pre-
servation Of modern civilized society. But Mr..
Beecher does not tell us how precisely TO do
this. Let rs supply the omission. To get at
the true remedy We must examine the past and
present educational systems in France. After
snch an examination what do we find? We
discover that ever since the first bloody reyo-
lution the aim Of the French government has
been to weaken the influence of the Clergy
While in theory the French clergy has been
allowed certain control over education, in
practice it has amounted TO very little The
Ministry of Instruction has been practically
Ill the hands Of inidels. under republican, mo-
uarchical and imperial rules, and, Of course,
the teachers and teachings have partakeu of
the character Of the controlling power. II is
trne the chaplains were and are allowed to
give little bit of religion to counteract
full doses of infdeliiy, Votaireism and
Rousseauism inyenious!y injected into the
daily studies of the pupils. Then, what little
religion and pety the youth might gather from
the lips OF the priests and nuns, in spite Of all
the insidous efforts Of iniile! instructors at the
schools. was always in danger Of being scat
tered by socastc fathers and mothers at the
home circle. This is sad but true picture
As the laws cow stand it is not possible to
apply the remedy. unless virtue once more
actuates The government TO place education in
the hands Of those who do not glory in inf
deity and vice: Children canuot be TAX en-
from the guardianship of their parents.
and yet it is clear that, until the in
fiuence Of their mothers and fathers over
their inpressionabs minds is effectually de-
stroyed, all school education will be practi-
caly lost There is no more fascinating doe
trine on earth than that of socialism 1t has
led astray the mos. brilliant of intellects it
has dragged learned men into the mud OF i'm
morality. aud il has dazz.ed the most thoughtful
Education is certainly the oaly thing that will
expose its errors aud reveal its enormities; but
it must be an education differing in all respects
from that which youth now receive. II must
be an education guided by the saving doe
trines of religion-an education which will
purify the hearts while en'ightenins the
minds--an education which will meet the
wants Of poor and rich alike--an education
which will teach to build up, not to pull
down-which will convince all the curious
classes of French society that bloody revolu-
ton is not the panacea for all the ills that
flesh is heir to. Candcr and truth compel the
admission that this can only be accomplished
by giving the clergy larger share in the i'm
portant business OF educating the youth. win
NJ. THEIRS. or whoever is to be the chosen
ruler of France. heed this suggestion