The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-18

ligious Teachings In Public Schools
| Exciting Discussion OH the subject
| ST. LOUIS, October 18.-In the conyen
ton Of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Uniol
yesterday spirited debate occurred on tn
following resolution .
Resolved, That the present system O
public schools--ignoring all supernatural
authority, and making God the first apt
knowledge the last thing to be learned-is
curse to ourcountry, and floodgate o.
atheism and sensuality, and of civil, social
and national corruption to country, if false
to the church. That education to be
effective must be religious. ....
Mr.. Kelley, of Virginia. thought the
resolution should be recommitted to the
committee with an instruction to modify it,
He was by virtue of his office, as mayor OF
Richmond, president of the board Of
public schools. He had been elected
mayor by constituency which was
about eighty per cent. Protestant. The
Bible was not read in the schools of
Richmond, and he had the assurance of the
board that no religious instruction was
taught in them. He was not in sympathy
with the resolution, noI could he vote for
1t without stuitifylng himself. which he did
not propose to do. aHi.
Father Phelan, of st. Louis, defended
the resolution" We have nothing to do
with Richmond or its schools. If religious
instruction was excluded from them, as
Mr.. Kelley has said, they were the most OBJ
Jectionablo of all schools. The public men
of America We're educated in the public
schools, and were exhibitions of the sys-
TEN, and they were the most corrupt and
dishonest of any men in the world. Men
can steal in this country with impunity,
provided the amount is large enough. That
the children of the country 90 heels over
head to the devil, must be attributed to the
education they receive in the public schools,
which does not fit them for the temptations
of the world In these schools men of
science are hOnored and eulogized, but the
name of Jesus Christ is not allowed to be
mentioned with reverence. These chill
dren turn out to be learned horse
thieves, scholastic counterfeiters, and we'll
posted IN all schemes of deyiltry. H.. .an
Mr.. Harry, of Pennsylvania, denounced
the resolution, as contemplated the union
of church and state. .''7 -"
President Dwyer said the resolution
meant no such thing, and he did not wish
such an impression to get abroad. lie ad.
vlsed that the resolution be changed so as
to simply favor Catholic schools.
Mr.. Harry proceeded, and said Catholics
had gained great victory in driving the
Bible out of the public schools.
Father Graham, interrupting, said "The
church did not drive the Bible out of the
schools. The purpose was to lut in them
! correct version of the Bible and the
Catholic catechism."
Mr.. Harley-Exactly. Now | ask you,
S it just or right that we should introduce I
our Catholic catechism among Protestants, |
when we will not allow Protestants, who |
re in the majority, to use Bibles in the |
'ublic schools? ......... .-.. s''
Mr.. Chance, of Delaware, thought this
vas fling in the wrong direction. They
night favor Catholic schools, but they
should not denounce Protestant schools. |
Father Butler, of Kansas, thought the |
esolution went too far. 1t should not be |
orgotten that the public schools of this |
country had served as model for Catholic
larochial schools, and in that respect had |
lone good. The main difference between !
hem was one Of religion only,
Father Phelan again spoke, and said he
houeht the delegates from the east had |
lot studied this subject enough. He frank
y confessed that the Catholics stood be. |
ore the country as the enemies of public |
chools, and the reasons therefor should bo
tated. He considered these reasons were
i'll the resolution. They must
ay they would as soon send their children
nto pest-house or bury them as let them
o to public schools. They were assured |
hev would lose faith. They were afraid a
hild who left home in the morning would |
'ome back with something in his heart as
lack as hell. .ra-a1
Father Mangan-"The public school
ystem is nuisance. The words in the
esolution are none too strong" 81 4
Mr.. Chance moved to rccommit the |
esolution with instructions to report one |
avorins Catholic schools, which was
arried. s-... t.. |
The following substitute was reported |
or the education resolution:
Resolved, That the system of state edu-
alton now established in most of the |
tates, by its failure to provide proper re-
igious instruction for the young and its
nlightening of tho head to the entire ne
ect OF the heart culture, meets with our |
unqualified reprobation. That it unjustly
axes large class of our people who cam
ot without danger to. the faith and morality
4 their offspring, avail themselves of its
dvantages. '." '1
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Hon. A. M. Kelley, of Richmond, Va,
vas elected president of the Union for The
nsuing year, and Martin |. j. Griffin, of
secretary. /