The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-04-13
The Logic of Events.

The public school question in this city is
getting into a rather mixed condition. 1t
seems that number of colored children
have been recently introduced into one of
the schools, through the special agency of
ex-Judge Dibble. We do not propose here
to exami9e the motives Of that gentleman
or the propriety of the movement. We Ca
tholcs have no personal interest in the
matter, though on general principles we
cannot but sympathize with those of our
fellow citizens who are thus deprived of
benefits for which they are taxed. That
this is the case, is evidenced by the mere
fact that at once fifty white children with
drew from this institution when the expert
ment was made, and no doubt, if the colored
children are kept there, the school will be
entirely abandoned to them.
But there is comment which we have
to make on this affair, viewed as an argu-
nent on the general question of public
schools. There can be no stronger argu-
ments than facts. In vain have Catholics
protested against being taxed for these in :.
stitutions. We have adduced reasons of
all kinds, and the ears of our Protestant
friends were deaf. They could not hear.
We have tried to make them suppose them
selves in similar position, but they would
not suppose. We have asked them how
they would like to be forced by a reckless
majority to support schools to which, for
reasons perfectly satisfactory to themselves.
they could not send their children; but
they could not understand.
An irresistible Providence, however, has
n way of putting suppositions practically
that the most unwilling cannot help under
standing them. See, for instance, how our
good neighbor, the Times, views the matter
in light as clear rs day, though hereto
fore as blind as bat. 1t says in last Fri
days issue that the negroes
should be but too glad to have the whites
maintain separate schools for their benefit
Most of our white taxpayers are willing to do
this, but they will not support schools from
which their children are virtually excluded.
Now let us ask how are the white chill
dren excludedi Howl Why, simply be-
cause their parents do not think it right or
desirable for them to associate intimately
with colored children.
But suppose those parents are mistaken.
Undoubtedly the majority of voters in this
State will say they are, and undoubtedly
the newspaper organ of that majority-the
Republican-will cay so too. These will all
argue that the position Of these parents is ar
rogant and aristocratic, that it is anti Repub-
lican and based on miserable old time pre-
JUDGES, unworthy the intelligence of q pro-
gressive age. Will the Times be willing to
go into IN ~7d!ess and acrimonious con-
troyarsy on that point,--One to be decided
too, by a majority with naturally feeble
powers of reasoning, and such as they are,
overborne by passions inflamed by the con-
test
Not at all. The Times will naturally
say, "This issue has nothing to do with the
question. Even suppOsing that the parents
may be wrong, their honest convictions
must be respected. AS long as they sin
cerely think it improper to send their chill
dren to any particular school, you must
not tax them to support that school," .
But does not the Times see that the same
reasoning would apply to Catholics Their
conscience-supposing it to be even an err
rOneOus conscience-absolutely prohibits
them from sending children to the public
schools. Therefore, it is tho height of in
justice to make them support those schools.
Tho wheel of power turns in this world.
Those who think themselves firmly fixed