Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-12
SECTS AND SCHOOLS.

over the question oil seclaiian Vi HUI
sectarian public schools. The existing
laws are in favor Of non.sectarian schools,
to oyerturn which fierce contest is waged.
The line of division is drawn between the
Protestants and Catholics, the former IA
voring non-sectarian, free schools, the lat
ter, separate schools. The Catholics de-
mand that the money raised for the sup
port of schools shall be divided between
the different religious sects, each taking its
proportion and establishing its own
schools, making the basis of the school
system religious, or sectarian.
It is only to mention such plan as that
of public schools on a sectarian basis to
expose its absurdity. Public schools mean
the education of all children if they mean
anything, but the separate school plan
would make this an impossibility. The
division Of the money into such parcels as
would be required would preclude the es-
tablishment OF schools. Suppose dis
trict or parish with fifty scholars in it; this
would be . sufficient number if united to
maintain respectable school, but divide
the money apportioned amongst a dozen
different religious denominations, and Of
course no school is possible in such cir
cumstances. Such plan would overthrow
the common school system Of these States.
When our common school system was de-
vised the originators built it upon the non
sectarian foundation, on which it stands
immovable, and steadily increases the
benefits which it dispenses freely to all.
The design of the public school is not to
instruct in the creed OF this or that denom-
ination. but to give every child instruction
in those elementary principles of educa-
ton that will fit him to understand the
duties and privileges of citizenship and
how to use them. The project OF separate
schools has been agitated in New York
within recent period, the Catholics favor
ing it, but it met with poor success, being
regarded by all Protestant people as a
scheme that only could result in breaking
up the entire public school system if adopt
ed. Outside the Catholics the people OF
the United States agree that the schools
shall not be sectarian, all believe that Sec
tarianism would ruin them, and all are OF
the opinion that the public good is best
served by keeping the schools, while each
sect takes cares of its peculiar interest
through the church, the sunday school and
home teaching. Were it not for the Cath
ole clergy these views would pervade that
denomination as they do others, for we
find that in districts where Catholics are
so scattered that the regular services of
priests are not had there is no trouble with
the Catholic element about the common
schools. One would think they might
trust as much in the services of their
church and its accompanying sectarian in
struments as other denominations to keep
their children within the Catholic pale,
but either they have less confidence in
the strength of their sectarian appliances
or they are opposed to free education, as
is often charged upon them.
We regard this contest in New Bruins
wick as of more than local Importance.
To that province it is vital question. 1t
may be turning point in the progress Of
civil and religious freedom among our
neighbors over the border. That the fight
is warmly waged is plainly to be seen by a
glance at the local papers. the columns OF
which are charged with appeals to the
voters, and contain reports of excited
meetings, in which it is announced that
this speaker was kicked by one of his OPP
ponents and jostled out Of window, and
another had missiles thrown at him and a
riot ragged around the stand where he was
speaking. The result of the election at
st. John, in the success Of the non-secta-
rian party. argues well for the free school
side. 1t has given an impetus to the non
sectarian party which is strengthening it
everywhere. But the fight is bitter one,
as all politico-religious ones are. and none
are more bitter than those between Prot
estants and Catholics, which bring to mine
the stake and the fagot, the Inquisitior
and the bloody battles fought for religious
freedom.
Essentially the question at issue is the
existence OF the free schools, not whether
they shall be Protestant or Catholic, ant
on this issue we should think the free
schools would be overwhelmingly sus
tanned, as they ought TO be. There is
large class of persons in all countries thai
care nothing about sects. but do have al
interest in the education of their children
al the public expense, and this class il
New Brunswick as everywhere else will
support the common schools against dam
aging sectarian influences, and thei
strength is sufficient If brought out to giv'
the victory to the non-sectarian side. w
have no doubt that the free schools will
survive the assault upon them, and secta
rians learn another lesson Of the folly ant
danger Of trying to bend these peoples