New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-18
CHURCH-STATE-SCHOOL.
THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT.

THE IRESEPkESSlbi1E CONFLlCI.
PARTY THAT WOULD KEEP THE SCHOOLS AS THEY
.RF-sECUIAR SCHOOLS MEN WHO DESIRE
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
=. tks Edftor Of TIE Trfbsns.
SIR: The conservative position of your jour
a., mon the school question:" leads to address
,he tolowing considerations upon that important sub
,cot There are three attitudes publicly held upon this
question, VIZ;
large portion OF the community desire the Bible
,efane believing in the necessity of preserving at least
tbe appearance OF some religious instruction.
4 large portion desire even the Bible banisled, as
well as eteryt a 81 m tbs1r teasa a,, '"e
q A large portion desire mobilization OF the
religious instruction according y ;he iaith OF the child,
diaary secular instruction.
" be easy classify the supporters Of these three
nosi,ions very large portion OF the Protestant com
nunity probably large majority, support the rst and
Insist absolutely upon retaining the Bible This on the
ground that religious principles must be lneucste
Their position however upon another ground Il untena
ble Absolute freedom Of belief being guaranteed not
alone 20 The ruling majority, but 70 every mhaDitant OF
the land it impossible 10 deny that the reading Of the
Bible is an oppression OF hosa who object 10 II on con
sentous grounds The Catholics object to the Protest
ant version OF the Sacred Book the Jews to the New Tes
lament and an non-ChrstiaRs class unfortunately
rpply increasing the entire volume As far these
arr concerned the reading OF the Bible is seetaran
act in IA public school, which is supported by
the taxes OF Jew and Atheist wei Christian, and
attended perhaps cOmpu.sory, by children Of ali alike
fns 81 evident that II has lei and Il leading large
portion of the community demand the elimination Of
everything relg character, that the sohooisay
oppress none bat being wholly "unsectariln" be ac-
reptabe 70 al This is second position above state
Specifically considered it fair one IL IS
oow being attempted "a urge this through political
partv ana upon the of a Presidential election.
LARGELY supported it Will ne by many Prutestants who
fftfutgf .1.4 nj
politicians tins issue VIII greatly intensity the excite
nlent of tue national struggle and possibly reach IN s
results further than IFS present advocates contemplate
However without discussing the wisdom Of It's agitation
now let ask what nc objections 10 this propos-
ton which have led to 4 third attitude.
The third pos ton is taken ~ those VINO uuder INC
strongest coVi IONS Q! nl' 90 ir
the youthful mind before bad habits have been aciircd
srrcIiog Is essential not only FOR mans spiritual well
fare. % make him good and tTustwotH! cltIeh or
cation is detective and dan serous which fais 20 poVu
for these considerations, aud they Asa that the schoo
actual instruction may be daily given % each enid ae-
cOrng 20 the faith OF his parents They say tnal WIZ
trousy for the community a. well rs TOT tr sdIeh ~
raising generation "a ul0ellevers and inulheTt Us
social doctrines viii find c0naenia soil.
They hod. nTtAer thai me sl11aJ SCHOOLS sCoG as
much practical effect. An hour or two snce week rs -
suicenf f,r objects so iuporiant Religious instruction
l. be practical should bc daily. IL shola DC thlg Oh
every day HAT the children may learn 70 wear II s an
easy.Hting coat which they % lay aside, n-
stead ofas defrct OF the sunday system
leaning look upon 10 restraint g. one DAY pr ne
week. which they anticipate with aversion or lnCL
ence. and willingly discard. The supporters OF tEis
view comprise. as is well known, The Catholics,
q well many thoughtful and couStle ntloa fl0'-
estants who, F-rceiVing the unia!ness q the pres
ept system aud the evils OF VINO IS IRE
L-ouS Ian, recognize the nee ssiiJ OF tn-tn ing
s1mc ade4uate provision which shall permit ieilSlo-
education 90 20 hand hand with tlat which Is pIe!
material Tie contest M effect, must narrow down 70
one between the atbcFcurs OF our second ana ullid
Propositions AS far the Issue ~ that contest If con
tered IL r easy @ perceive rhr temper of the prs
ent vast majority VIII favor the nuu-sec;rian or ie-
II change 20 come. n must come ~
kov c0uI lctl0n and experience Hot words ana nasty
Iel.laiipn AZ The present time viii bring the END 10
teare-but rather result in agGTayatlon OF tire dner
ences. W.
Ae1-T York. Dec II, 1873.