New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-11
Assistance go SectaSian schools.

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Times.
Assistance 60 SeCtarian schools.
The following sensible petition has been
sent to the New York City School Board
Ii refers to matter which has long been an
evil, and ought to be reformed altogether:
To the Honorable TIE B0ard Of Educate, If III,
City Of Neg York
GENTLEMEN: We appear before you as
representatives Of large body Of respecta.
BILE citizens, irrespective of political party,
who have an interest in the common welfare
of our country and its institutions. By aftil-
iation we represent large number, by SYM
pathy a much larger one. The great maior
ity are parents-heads of Misunderstanding
children whose education We regard as i'm
portant, not only for themselves, but for the
future well-being Of the State and nation.
Under these circumstances, we deem 1t q
duty to make known to your honorable body
our sentiments and purposes. We believe
the education and general intelligence Of the
masses to be the cornerstone upon whic h
are based the liberties of our Republic for,
as has been truly said, Ignorance is the
mother of superstition, ;" so our people, with
out proper instruction, will readily become
fit tools in the hands of designing men for the
destruction of those rights which we, as free
people, hold most dear.
Of late wears, innovations have been creep
ing in among US at first the demands were
moderate and modest, but each new conces-
sion has only tended to aggravate the unap-
peasablc appetite Of the assailants, until, at
the present time, they seek to change the
fundamental principles upon which are based
some of our best and most cherished institu-
tons. All sects, churches, and determine.
tons are alike included in this category, and
the natural result of these concessions can
terminate in nothing less than the entire abb
sorption of the funds set apart for charitable
and educational purposes, and the total OBJ
liberation of the objects for whose support
they were intended. Our only safety, there
fore, lies in refusing all such demands; for,
if we discriminate in favor of any, have not
all an equal right before law and in justice ?
We have understood that you have had
under consideration the right and propriety
Of donating to corporate" and "parocha"
schools a portion of the public funds which
have been set apart by law only for those
schools under the direct control Of your
Board. While the subject has been brought
before the public through the press, we have
been deeply panied to see with what lenity
the matter has been treated by you while
under discussion. 1t is our opinion-and we
desire to present it in as determined and re-
spectful manner as possibe-that the law
is very plain, cannot be misunderstood, and
the subject should have received scarcely
a moments consideration by you, but should
have been acted upon at once, and with be-
coming firmness. Such being our view Of the
case, we consider it incumbent upon us to
enter our solemn protest in this document
and before the American people against the
appropriation of single dollar of the school
funds for any other purposes than those so
clearly set forth in the law. We do not
think this matter should be handled gingerly,
but that bold opposition should be presented
to any would-be aggressors, for, if the right
exists anywhere in law or the constitution of
our state to appropriate any portion of the
public moneys for any sectarian purposes
whatever, we have been unable to discover
it. If you can give to any, why not to all =?
Have not all equal rights. The result of
such action would be nothing less than to
break up our common school system, and
this we believe to be the great end for which
its enemies are earnestly and persistcntly
working.
History and experience have proved the
necessity for the State to take charge of the
education of the youth, in order that they
may be instructed in those duties which they
may be called upon to assume in maturer
years while, if religious instruction is to be
imparted-and we believe it should've
Church, the Sabbath school, and the home
circle, are the places where the child is more
easily taught divine truths, and where the
most lasting impressions are made.
The great mass of the American people
have viewed with alarm these continuous
encroachments, and although but little ac-
tive demonstration has been made by them
thus far, they are ready, nevertheless, to
meet the attack when the time arrives. We
look upon you, gentlemen, as having been
important and responsible positions which
you occupy, and trust you will not allow
yourselves to be turned from the path Of
duty by any influences that may be brought
to bear against you, no matter from what
quarter they may come.
We will conclude this our appeal and pro-
test by stating that we heartily condemn and
hereby protest against the appropriation of
any portion Of the school funds for the use
of any school under the control of any church,
sect, or denomination whatever, and not
under the entire management OF your Board.
We are convinced, from our knowledge Of
the American character, that we will be sus-
tanned by an overwhelming majority Of our
fellow citizens against this ill-timed and i'll
advised effort to override law and Justice.
Respectfully, in behalf Of your petitioners
and protestants.
BENZ. Il. LEVY,
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