The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-09-29
- NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 90 1879


us. If we see some parents who neglect to
| send their children to school, we see also the
dire poverty from which, to our regret, We see
no possibility of redeeming them, and which
compels them to seek the crumbs and rags
doled out at the Factory, in upgenerous pay
nhent for their premature and excessive labor.
1t was the continual protest of the poor
against this memorable hardship, and their IN
deniable inability to provide the cost of books,
teachers and school houses; that gave rise to
the system of schools supported by State or
municipal taxation. 1t did not originate from
| any right or even intention of making it serve
| as . means of carrying out tho ambitious pur-
poses Of parties and partizsns. 1t was purely
and simply from desire of helping the poor in
their laudable efforts to educate their chill
! dren. 1t was charitable motive: wish to
do good to the children themselves directly.
The expectation of doing good to the nation,
| as such, was only o secondary or indirect con-
sideration. The first free schools were re-
Iligious-they were severally founded and sup
ported by the congregations of different de-
nom inations {; and parents heartily responded
to the movement. Patriotism and religion
relied On, they may ever rely on, the good
will and spontaneous cooperation of fathers
and mothers.
1t is idle to adduce exceptional instances to
the contrary These, if they exist, mpst be
dealt with in an exceptional man ner, and can
not be. the ground Of any general measure.
Let nssnttend to the general fact. Parental
affection is the great recruiting officer of
! education.
A child is born. 1t in stinctively yearns to its
mother. The strangers breasts are dry but
heaven has provided the mothers paps with
milk. The infant knows by intuition that this
provision is made; seeks it, clings to it, and
/ feeds on it, There is joy in the mothers heart
and her senses are delighted while the child
u sucks With exquisite pleasure, she sees the
q fruit of her womb lisS grow and aud hoariah
' from the food it draws from her own sub
!, stance and life. In time the child becomes
p fully conscious of the source from which
}, it derives observation-disclosures sweetly con
!. scious Of the inexhaustable treasure of ten
\ der care and indefatigabie love unlocked and
d bestowed for its own sake-becomes awsEs
t. that it has the service of devoted being ready
n to make every heroic sacrifice for its protection
y and happiness-in oue word that it has mo
a. ther. How we'll did Solomon understand tn,
Z. mothers heart, when he decided that the pc
9, culiar abnegation and absoluteness of its Inn
+ pulses, would enthusiastically reveal the trn
Id mother and distinguish her from the merceuer
d. pretender. The requtal is inevitable. tn
"a child returns the motheES loves and tn
ne fathers also, for no too is ever there, evncin
40 similar affection, joining and helping hi
g wife in all her cherishing kindness. The littl
W one, therefore, naturally regards them No on
'A and inseParable. He loves them with singl
No love--looks mp to them-admirss them-iln
sK tates thoea-contraets their habits, man nsl
oe and tastes-learns their lsuguage and acOent-
y believes in ,them-is Impressed with tho
opinions and rejudices-unhesitstiug rolf
ei' on them In ell thinss; and socks refuge uud
on their hand from All the world. They q
NJ promo to allow him great indulgenoes-prOeu
LUZ him amusement and luxuries-and to 9th
10. eyes they even seem to spoil him. He un'
aps ringly Discovers tho indestructibility Of the
"a partialiES and If he is ever ungratefuT or
ms bellious, he fondly aud boldly counts On tn
TO forgiveness-thoir joyous greeting ef the
turning prOdigak
aat, For elk or eight years this Cow and int
nts, change Of endeaEmeat goes on, while the
1 bel different world and careless state pay NO
ahlal tentiou-~eyiuce no regard for the child.
81 parents support and teach him ~ beat q
san.l This, the State declares they are boz
10 do $ Gnd also the State declares itself to
Ander no .paternal obligation. It regards q
ssna treats She unnatural parent - rare crinif
Aud it undertakes parental dnties only II
'SAn motives Of pity or policy--never from obi
made ton or affection due directly to tbechild.
sspts4 faasapOs and noufeGssaces &c Oonoo6es
sE-=f right Of the parents to make the frat imp
lalsA ssOns, end allows than to 90 en- fer YaaTs
emit the daily exercise Of this admitted privil
&. La exclusive deity.
asfSkI URdR these ci<eunstaaesas a. hatNeen
ie OF Estate end IT, PaCodtO, en- which side VIII