Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-05-14
The Btlss fss shc Public schools.


nll except fanatics will approve. Tho
New York Herald, in alluding to tho
subject, says;
Tho decision Of Superintcn
Weaver denying tho legal right OF
school trustocs TO mako religious in.
struction part of the regular school
exercises will receive tho approval OF
every far-minded man. In this age,
when the spirit Of religious liberty is
abroad, IL is somewhat startling TO
find q large body of citizens dcsirous
OF exercising spiritual tyranny by
compelling the attendance Of children
at religious teaching TO which they
entertain conscientious objection
| Tho introduction of the Bible into the
public schools has been tho cause OF
constant irritation and ill-will between
tho different Christian sccts, and each
day seems only TO Increase the bitter,
ness Of tho parties, The contest at
Long Island City last fall became seri-
Gus, and something in the shape of a
religious war was threated. Roman
Catholic children refused to be present
at tho reading Of a Protestant Bible,
ard the trustees, with an ardor for
the principles Of civil and religious
liberty beyond oil praise, expelled the
insubordinate Catholics. This cxhi-
bition OF liberaiity and respect for the
opinions and convictions OF others led
to series Of protests on tho part of
the Catholic minority, which termin-
ated in an appeal TO tho Superin,end-
cat.
Tho legal right of the trustees TO
enforce the reading Of tho obnoxious
Bible has been decided TO have no cx-
istcncc, as tho schools are provided
for secular, and not for religious, in.
struction. AT tie Same time it is held
that if religious people wish their chil.
drcn to read tho Bible the trustees are
at liberty TO appoint time before or
after the regular school business for
religious instruction, at which attend.
ancc will not be compulsory. This is
reasonable solution Of the difficulty,
and will give general satisfaction TO
all but the ''uncoguid," who never en-
joy complete Christian peace but when
they arc presenting others for the
love Of God. However, as these
splcnctic devolces arc not very numer-
GUS among us, the public can afford to
bo indifferent as TO whether they are
pleased or not.
is of tho first Importance TO the
well being OF the republic that the
public schools shall be popular with
the people, in order that there may
be no excuse Tor ignorance among our
growing population. In order that
they may be so it is necessary that
tho rights of all the children shall
DO scrupuiously respected. Religious
freedom in the widest sense must be
enjoyed by the pupils, not the gar
bled liberty which means that every
one shall be forced 10 accept whatever
religious teaching the school trustees
may consider good. To tamper with
the right of conscience Is infinitely
greater outrage than to impose disa-
biilies, and ono less likely to bo borne
patiently. The agitation on this
school question was becoming really
dangerous to the existence OF harmo.
nious relations between the different
sccts, and We hope that the reasona-
ble and just decision Of Superintendent
Weaver will form precedent that
will be followed all over tho country
wherever mixed schools exist. II is
so palpably an outrage TO compel the
attendance OF children upon obnoxious
religious instruction that no amount Of
sophistry can Justify or cover up such
a violation OF national right. All
classes are interested in the just set
tlement of this question, because there
is no protection that the prosecutors
at one point may not become the
prosecuted at another, if we aro to ac-
cept tho doctrine that the majority
have the right 10 impose their rcligi-
Gus instruction on the minority. Such
proposition, when advanced nakedy,
appears monstrous; yet this is Just
what The Long Island trustees have
been guilty of in the case of the Cath.
oic children under their charge,
1t appears these model Christians
arc not content with the impartial
and highly creditablo decision of the
Superintendent. They have resolved
on an appeal TO the higher authorities,
resolving not 10 abandon their privi-
lego TO do evil so long as they can
possibly hold on. The actions of these
men furnish strange commentary on
tho Christianity of which they put
themselves forward as tho champions.
There is moro of the cruel and opprcs.
sivc spirit Of ministers Of evil than OF
the gentlencss and meckness OF follow.
ers Of Christ in tho conduct Of these
Bible lovers. Their obstinate resolve
to maintain the obnoxious system will
bo condemned by every ono with a
pretence TO liberalty. Such an ex
hibilion Of bigotry il worthy Of the
Dark Ages, and marks out tho actors
for tho contempt of all
Whose minds have learned alike TO soorn
Bigots in Rome or England born. /
We hope the appeal made against
Superintendent Weaver's decision will
be rejected, and that the non.scctarian
character of our public schools shall
be authorilatively declared. All citi-
zens are taxed to support them, and
the course of instruction ought not TO
be obnoxious 10 any sect. This is but
common justice, and We believe that
the good sense and love of fair play
inherent in the American people will
insist on justice being done in the
matter.
DEATH or THE CHIEF JUSTICE -NRw
yoRK, May 7th. - Chief Justice Chase
died ut ten o'clock this morning from
an attack Of apoplcxy. Hc was IN nun
usually good health and spirits, and
continued SO during Sunday and Mon.
day. On Tuesday morning before