National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-13
SECULAR SONGS.
cOlORED PASTORS INDIGNANT.

Wicked Trustees Of Colorcd sChools-Un-
Eodly Teachers Of Diuo-Cbildren Made
TO violate conscientious scruplcs-The
Preachers Take COEuizance Thereof
Their Manifesto to the Board-The
hoard SIRpa Back-Thcy Don't Want
the Pastors "to Reject Upon the Grow
ing Intelligence OF n People"-The Di-
vines RECONCILIATION Their Committee
The Board stIll Obstinate-The AssociH-
ton Incubnte and Hatch Out Lengthy
ResolutIsns-The MaItrcntment Of Con-
sciences to be brought Before the Peo-
pie In MRs- Meeting,
There has been quite a sensation for several
weeks past among the colored people Of Wash
ington because Of certain course pursued by
some OF the teachers In the public schools.
They have been striving to compel children to
sing secular songs against their conscientious
scupes. These children have made profession
" religion during this revival season, and have
told their teachers that they did not think Il
right to singfhose songs; hut notwithstanding
this plea they have been ridlculed, abused,
directly and indirectly, and expelled the schools
This was regarded as a gross outrage upon the
rights of the people, and so the pastors took
u
meeting. A committee was consequently APP
pointed to make, II possible, private settlement
Of the matter. They waited upon the supern-
tendent Ot the schools. and submitted the fol-
lowing protest.
NOVEMBER 81. if2
n ~ hoard ~ TrHFises FOR ne ColVrri Srhor'' q
GESri.EMES: We, the undersigned, In behalf OF
she g, i,,, y W. ~
hssty PfOtesR agaillsl ths CouIse ~ punlS
bsy nInisSi Conversion and that lie Singng Of
sneh sonEs Tnnsl 70 W. ~, '"e
chnIrh anu tne u''ateS ~ InsiI VV gl
heaPe'HuU'' v"' ~ t ?, '''"'
y. ii i,,,,si,,,,
,--,..-- JAS II. 4; Johnson -,
Nonint'ee "V'u 'ne F"''"'S "eeA' H''"''-
nsIiou. a., $3.50, -, ,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,... ,,,,,
Wy piV ~, r ,, ss, !, i I ,,
,,Ii, ,t,, aa' ~ az IN !
manner mat Nouli sal,ttl Tue aggasSe" Par, ,s
in,EISg reStopSs "''"''s '''''' WV" Wv
-, D., wSs'siGy9roS v C S2reIn6eT ~ " w..
rias1sas, Cs1iHss trSs, H. Fis,sT.' WssIIy Aiso.
eiafisss
GESrLKNES; Your communication TO the Board
Of Trustees for the COlOred schools OF Washing.
ton and Georgetown, protesting against regulr'
ing pupils who have made profession OF re-
ligion TO receive Instruction In music, except sa'
cred, has been referred TO THIS ONCE, with IN,
structiOns TO say that the general interests Of
the schools demand that no exception be made
In enforcing compliance with the prescribed
NuMlHN W laNiANtAbhs
The board, conscious OF the educating poWel
! represented by you In this community, and, con
! sequently, the great aid you can render towards
| promoting the general efficiency Of the schools
also desire me TO express to you the hope thai
| you will cooperate with them and the teacher
OF our youth In their EFFORTS TO correct any view
growing out Of the unfortunate circumstances o.
our past, whose tendency l. to retan'l the prog
| ress OF true education, aud to reflect upon IN,
! growing Intelligence Of people.
! am, gentlemen, very respectfully, yours,
GRO. 2. T. Cook, Supt.
! The reply was regarded as eyasive and unsat
! lstActOry, Tue committee was consequently re
! commissioned to visit the superintendent ant
bring the chief points under consideration TO
mai issue and report a an extra session Of tn
association on the 18th Instant They did 50, ant
had an understanding that the cOnsClences OF tn
religious pupils and the rules OF their churcl
would not he regarded In the course OF instruc
ton.
The association At once arted upon the report
and adopted the following preamble and resOlu
tons!
Whereas the colOred public schools Of Wash
lngtOn and Georgetown are subjected TO an oil
garchical rule, and made the means by which tn
ungodly violate the cOnsclences Of their pupil
and the law OF the true church; and wherea
some unROdly teachers In Washington hayl