Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-30
TIE COKkON SCHOOLS IN NEW
' YORK

The common schools of New York are
endangered by the attempts Of the Catho-
lies to overthrow them. The ground
upon which they assail them is because of
which, the Protestant version, they have.
- Is well known, decided objections.
The measure demanded by them is that a
part of the school money raised. proper
tionate to the number OF Catholic children.
be allotted to the Catholics, and they be
permitted to establish schools exclusively
for their own denomination. IF this were
granted the common school system would
at once receive deadly blow. If one
sect were allowed to have its schools. all
others would have equal right to the same
privilege if they desired it. Each would
contend for its share, the schoo would be
divided and subdivided by the lines of
sectarianism, and Pandora box would
be opened that would send out swarm
ofevils which would cover the whole State,
introduce sectarian strife into every neigh
borhood, and destroy at last the public
schools.
On Monday evening last a large meet
ing ofthose opposed to the Catholic scheme
was held at Cooper Institute. The speak
ers who addressed the meeting, with one
exception, took the broad ground that the
design of the school system was opposed
to the fostering of sectarianisn in the
schools, that the State should not make
appropriations for sectarian institutions or
purposes, but render the schools of such a
character that children of all sects and de-
nominations would meet in them on equal
terms. This is correct reasoning. Upon
no other basis can system of education
for the children of all the people ola State
be maintained. There are churches and
sabbath schools in which to give religious
training. upheld and controlled by each
sect, but the common school is for a
broader purpose; no sect alone supports
It, and none is entitled to peculiar tavors
In the distribution of its benefits.
It is thought that the objection to the
use of the Bible which the Catholics make,
10 but pretext to cover their real pur-
pose, which is to overturn the public
school system entirely. The Catholic
hierarchy has never shown any interest in
educating the masses of the people. A
learned priesthood and an ignorant people
are generally found where Catholicism
bears sway. No country where they rule
or have ever ruled has been favored with
any system supported by the State for the
education of all the children as in our
common school system. The Papal au
th0rity has cast its influence against rath-
or than in favor of general education.
Rome, the seat of its power shows no sign |
that popular education has been fostered |
there, bat the reverse. And so there is
reason 10 believe when the priests of
New York complain of the Bible IN the |.
schools. that it is not so much to get rid
of the Bible as to extirpate the schools /
that they aim.
To resist them successfully the pretext /
which they employ must be first removed |
Il y not necessary for the religious culture |
Of children that the Bible should be used /
- textbook in the common schools. 1t /
u found in every Protestant home, is the
chief theme Of discourse and source of in
struction every Sabbath. its teachings and
spirit pervade all our literature neither
Protestant nor Catholic can escape its in
duence in this country did he desire it
ever 90 much. Leading religionists of
New York, who have had to look a, the
question seriously, are coming to the con-
clusion that it will be better to remove the
Bible and save the schools. But when
this is done 1t is threatened that the Cath
olics will not send their children to school
Perhaps under priestly influence they
might pursue such course. The remedy
Tor this. however, is compulsory educa-
ton. The State will furnish the schools
and It claims the right to see that the
children attend them in order that they
may be fitted to discharge properly the
functions of American citizens. Tbas.
two steps. the removal of all pretext for
complaint that the schools are sectarian
and compulsory education. are the rene.
dies which seem to be demanded. Re.
solves TO this effect were unanimously
adopted in the Cooper Institute meeting.
There will be a lively contest in the As.
sembiy over the question without doubt.
for the excitement has now reached that
pitch that decisive steps cannot long be
deferred.
An exchange says ''they are telling the
story Of An uneasy little boy whose mother
ssiei 70 quiet him On Boston and Maine
train the other day by telling him the con.
ductor sometimes swallowed pauah,v -