Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-15

BERLIN, Feb. 10, 1S72.-Bismarck has bafled
the Jesuts, COMPOUNDED the clerical party, and
it is hoped, has broken forever the hold bv which
ecclesiastical power was seeking to fasten itself
upon the state. In a former letter / quoted his
decentralization that the government should
be constitutional and not confessional. The
confessional feature has long been recognized in
the schools. Inheriting from the reformation
the notion that the state must in some way pro-
vide for the religious training of his subjects,
Prussia has nevertheless sought to do this in the
spirit Of liberation towards all Misunderstanding
different communions in the support of religious
worship, and providing for the religious inStruc-
ton OF the children in the public schools accord
ing TO the several cOmmunions Or confessions IN
which they were born, whether Protestant Cath
Ole or Jewish. To this extent the schools have
been confessional; not that their primary oQIect
was TO incucate any faith in particular, but
subordinate place was given to religious nStrnc-
ton, with the liberation Of different faiths.
Naturally enough, the superintendent Of inns
branch of education in the schools was lett TO
the several religious bodies whose catechumeus
were among the pupils; and itcame TO pass that
in rural districts Protestant clergymen, Catholic
priests and Jewish TabJs were eG-0fic{O the in-
spectors of the schools, and the supervisors OF
religious instruction for the children OF their own
confessions If not the actual teachers in this de-
partment This 5, stem had in the main worked
with little friction; the great confessions had
parity of privileges, and nobody was diSObhged
except the small faction Of non-believers, and
these were not disposed TO make trouble
The recent agitation was caused by the ultra
montana party in the Catholic church. Taking
advantage of an article in the new constitution
which favors ecclesiastical freedom, this party
would separate the church from the control of
the state, but, at the same time, would seek to
control the state in the interest OF their church.
Having always enjoyed liberty OF reliaious wor-
ship and teaching, they now insisted upon
right OF instruction in the schools, without re-
vision or direction from the state, intending to
use the school as a lever for bringing TO bear
against the new empire OF Germany the power
Of the infallible imDerium at Rome. School
masters who declined 10 teach the new dogma
of papa inalilility were accommodated.
Everywhere in Prussia the Roman Catholics
were organizing themselves rs political party;
canvassing for the elections upon ecclesiastical
grounds alone; and insisting that legislation
should in everything have respect to the church,
as power at least coordinate with the state.
But Prince Bismarck was equal TO the occasion:
"ThiS,' said he, "shall not he made confess
sional government; nor parliament the scene OF
confessional Striies;' and so he introduced and
carried declaratory act, which asserts the SUI
premacy Of the state and cuts off the church
from interference.
The act embodies in few words these two
fundamental principles; first, that the supervi-
sion of all educational institutions, public
and private, belongs to the state alone,
and all local ordinances TO the contrary are
abolished; second, that the appointment Of local
and district school inspectors, and the deSi@na-
ton of their respective fields of supervision, is
vested solely and absolutely in the state, and all
regulations to the contrary are repealed.
To the American reader these declarations will
appear very obvious, almost commonplace, but
in Prussia they mark a great step forwards, and
prepare the way for the complete and final sep
aration of church and state. By the first sec
ton the anomalous and conflicting school-laws
and usages in different sections are set aside, and
the school administration throughout Prussia is
reduced 10 one uniform principle By the
second the inspection of the schools is taken
from the clergy as au official prerogatve OF an
honorary iuuction; and it is decreed that the SUI
peryisOn Of religious as wei as secular teaching
shall pertain only to the direct appolntees of the
state Then follows a third declaration, as Il
present peaCe-offering, by which the state
continues TO use the clergy as in
spectOrs, bur only at its discretion, and
subject to it's control. This concession must
soon give way to the pressure Of the foregoing
principles; practically, the church is ousted
from the control of popular education. The
high orthodox are epdeavOring to reconcile
themselves to this result as fatal blow to the
Vaccinations of the Jesuits, though some of
this party would rather COncede to the Catholics
partial control over public education than re-
llnquish their own share of this power. On the
other hand, some Of the devout Evangelicals
apprehend that this measure will displaCe the
true faith from the schools, and open the way
for the Vaccinations OF ROmanism and the IN
roads Of materialism. They have not vet earned
to trust the principle of church independence
and religious freedom. Such works, however,
MS Dr. j. L, TellkampPs "Selbstverwatung und
Reform der Gemende und Kreso dnungen in
Preussen' will direct attention to the working
of setgoyernment in England and the United
States.-Cor. Of the Nation.