The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-12-15

large association or ignorant men
cannot for any considerable period
opnoso a successful resistance to
tyranny or oppression from the ed u
Gated few, and will Inevitably sink
into scquiescenee I'd the will of intel
lligence, whether directed by the
demsgogue or by priestcraft. Hence
the education of the mass becomes of
the firstnecessity for the preservation
of our Institutions They are worth
preserving, because they have secur-
ed the greatest good to the greatest
proportion OF population of any form
of government yet devised. An other
forms Of government approach itjust
IN proportion to the general diffusion
of education and Independence of
thought and action. As the pri-
mary step. therefore, 70 our advance
ment in all that has marked our pro-
gress in the past century, suggest
for your earnest consideration and
most earnestly recommed il, that
constitutional amendment be submit
ted to the Legislatures Of the several
States for ratification making it the
duty of each of the several States to
ESTABLISH AND FOREVER MAINTAIN
FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
adequate to the education of all the
children in the rudimentary branch
es within their respective limits, ir-
respective OF sex, color, birth place
or religions, forbidding the teaching
in said schools of religions, Atheistic
or Pagan doctrines, and prohibiting
the granting of any school funds or
school taxes or any part thereof.
either by legislative, municipal or
others, for the benefit Of any other
object of any nature or kind what
ever. In connection With this i'm
portant question. | would also call
your attention to the Importance of
correcting an evil that, If permitted
to continue, will probably lead to
great trouble in our land before the
close of the nineteenth century. 1t is
THE ACCUMULATION oP VAST AMOUNTS
OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
/ In 1850, believe, the church
property of the United States which
paid no tax, municipal or State,
amounted to about SS3, ,O00, 600. In
1850 the amount had doubled. In
1875 it is about $1,000, 800, 600. BIZ
1900, without check. it is safe to say
this property will reach q sam ex-
ceeding 5000. 100000. So vast
sum, receiving all the projection and
benefits of government, without bear
ing its proportion ofthe burdens and
expenses OF tue same, will not be
looked upon acquiescently by those
who have paid taxes In growing
country, where real estate enhances
so rapidly with time as in the United
States, there is scarcely limit to the
wealth that may be acquired by cor
porations, religious or otherwise, if
allowed to retain real estate without
taxation. The contemplation OF so
vast property as here alluded to
without taxation may lead to seques-
tration without coasttltional au-
thority, and through blood. I would
suggest the taxation of all property
equally, whether chursh or corpora
tion, exemptiug only the last resting
/ places Of the dead and possibly, with
proper restrictions, church edifces.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS ENTIRELY
SATISFACTORY.
Our relations with most of the for
eIgn powers continue on a satisfacto-
ry and friendly footing. Increased
intercourse, the extension of COM
nlerce and cultivation OF mutual in
terests have steadily improved our
relations with the large majority Of
the powers Of the world. rendering
practicable the peaceful solution OF
questions which from time to time
necessarily arise. leaving few which
demand extended or particular no.
tice. The correspondence of the De-
partment of State with our diplomat
ic representatives abroad is trans
mitted herewith. | am happy 20 an
nounee the passage of an act by the
General Cortes of Portugal, pro-
claimed since the adjournment of
Congress, FOR the abolition of servi-
tude in the Portuguese colonies. 1t
is to be hoped that such legislation
may be another step toward the great
consummati0n to be reached when
40 man shall be permitted directly
or indirectly, under any guise, ex-
cuse or form of law, to hold his iel-
low man in bondage. l am of opin-
ion also that it is the duty of the
United States, as contributing to-
ward that end, and required 10y the
spirit Of the age in which We live, to
provide by suitable legislation that
no citizen of the United States shall
hold slaves as property in any other
country, or be interested therein.
Chill has made reparation in the
case of the whale ship Good Return,
seized without sufficient cause up
ward of forty years ago. Though
she had hitherto denied her account
ability, the denial was never acqui-
esced in by this government, and the
Justice of the claim has been SO earn
estly contended for that it has been
gratifying that she should nave at
last acknowledged it.
The arbitration in the case of the
United States steamer Montigo, for
the seizure and detention of which
the Government OF the United States
of Colombia was held accountable,
has decided in favor of the claim.
This decision has settled a question
which has been pending for several
years, and which, while it continued
open, might more or less disturb the
good understanding which it is de-
sirsble should be maintained between
the Republics.
A reciprocity treaty with the King
of the Hawaiian Islands was conclud
ed the same month. As it contains
stipulation that it shall not go into
effect until Congress shall enact the
, proper legislation for the purpose,
copies of the instrument are here
with submitted, in order that if such
should be the pleasure of Congress,
4. H.. lat ha