The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08
Our Public Schools

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Judging from the increasing interest manifested
in the public schools should assume that the
question Of sectarian education is assuming a
prominence which will eventually lead to one Of
two results-the establishment OF sectarian schools,
where each religious denomination will be free to
teach its own peculiar doctrines or the enactment
OF law making education compulsory Certain
1t Is that the public schools, as at present consti.
tuted cannot long exist, for the opposition to
them Is each day becoming more formidable; nor is
that opposition by any means confined to the Cath
Olics, as Is generally supposed. The courtesy
with which you have thrown open the columns OF
your influential and extensively circulated paper
to the discussion OF this subject induces me to
offer few remarks in support of the Catholic side
OF the question. which, though often and ably de-
fended has as often and as persistently been mis-
represented. And here permit me to express the
hope that the supporters OF our present system OF
public education will, in the discussion OF this
question, confne themselves to the ''logio of
facts" and not DEAL as they too frequently do, in
"glittering generalities" ana statements unsub-
stantated by reason or argument.
The Catholic Church Is dogmatic In its teachings
1t places before the mind Of man certain truths,
which must be accepted before he Is admitted to
her communion. Nothing in the line OF faith is left
to individual opinion. While we admit the su-
premacy OF reason in its own sphere, still we be-
leve that the divine truths which God delivered
to man cannot be altered or improved
upon by any advance in human knowledge.
With such clearly defined creed, and believing
as we do that we alone possess the truths OF God
in their fitness and entirety Catholics have al
ways held 1t as OF the first Importance to inculcate
these truths into the minds of youth, that they
may grow up strengthened in religion and with a
knowledge OF Gods law to guide them Alright, and
to enable them to subject their passions to the
dictates OF reason and conscience. In doing this
they nave simply acted In accordance with the in.
structions or the sacred Scriptures, which say,
TRAIN up child In the way he should 90, and
when ne Is ola ne WIN not depart from it," And
again, "Suder little children to come unto me.u
The mission OF the Catholic Church, given to her
by Christ Himself, is teaching one, and It's history
for the last eighteen hundred years testlhes
how well she has fulfilled that mission. TO
be sure, her teaching is not always in accordance
with the spirit OF the age but what is OF far more
importance, IL Is always In accordance with the
spirit OF God. She alone thoroughly understands
the true meaning OF education, the development
and Improvement OF all the faculties OF man. and
therefore she always takes care that while the In
telect Is trained the heart must not be neglected
and she never permits the supremacy OF the tenn
moral over the spiritual. Hence one OF the prOpO-
sitions which the Pope condemns in the Syllabus
issued in 1894 s-"Catholics may approve Of that
method Of instructing youth which, while putting
aside the Catholic faith and the Church's authority,
looks exclusveI. or at least chieax to the kpQWt.