Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-09-10


We have often commended the calmness
and general good temper with which the
Boston Plot discusses questions affecting the
Interests or prejadices of Roman Catholics.
Earnestly devoted to the Catholic church,
the Pilot is yet willing TO coneede thai per
sons Of other sects. in this country at least,
have some rights entitled TO respect. At
times Of special excitement, the editor recog-
nizes hi dnty to act as the peacemaker
rather than the incendiary, and ne i will
ing 10 hear reason, as well as TO utter 1t.
In these respects the Pilof stands III strong
contrast with some Others Of the Catholic
rapers. We are therefore not surprised TO
see the Pilot discussing the school question,
in a very different tone from the Freeman s
Journal OF Catholic Telegraph. The Pilot
says
The Catholics NAV thank themselves for
Il great deal of this Protestant opposition and
distrust. 1t i mainly based on misunder-
standing and this has come from the thought
less utterances Of Catholic journals preachers
and speech makers This school question,
for instance, is growing to such dimensions
ROW that every good citizen, no matter OF
what religion. will seek 10 have it calmly set
tied and he who would add TO the per-
plexity Is dangerous man. Il mus BE- Sci
tied sooner or later and n.lLsf Be SETTLED constr
tuii0ndhV. Al other arrangements. such a
the establishment of Catholic schools. how
ever good a temporary measures. only add
70 the danger and difficulty IN the future.
No opinion i worth taking, no settlement Is
worth considering, that does not look for
ward 10 the contingencies Of al least hun
bred years 1t is one Of the grayest duties
of American Catholics and Protestants of
this generation 70 settle this question on
solid basis and this can only be done by dis
passionate discussion - each side hearing
the Others arguments and pointing ont the
error
One Of the common mistakes made on the
Catholic side i to discuss this question on
theological grounds-to Try and convince
Protestants that all education should be re-
hgious. This i bringing a world OF uunec-
essay work on our shoulders. We have no
right 10 dictate to PrOtestsnts how they
shall educate their children, nor to sneer at
their system a. 'goeless.' Another mistake
Is the absence OF a clear knowledge OF irha'
ace do rdnt, which results IN nearly as many
opinions as there are Catholic Some Cath
Ole bishops and priests denounce the pub
lie school A. damnable, while Others. and
fortunately the majority, passively object to
the present system, without taking extreme
steps, which in all cases must be prema-
ture. The question has not yet been con-
sidered, and be Injuries his own side who
shows himself too ready for division
The belief Of Catholics on TIN, question,
the Pilo1 says, Is that as the life Of person
should he religious 50 should the education
which forms hi mind be imbued with doc
trinal principles and this belief, it contends,
deserves respect and can demand protection
under the constitution Of any of our States
Bat the matter Is one for citizens. not theolo-
gians 10 settle. ltsuggests that "hoi-h headed
Protestant ministers and Catholic priests
who meddle without understanding should be
quietly set aside The differences are not
so radical in the Pilots opinion that they
cannot be surmounted by patience and char
ity, without sacrificing anything which
either party deems essential. There can be |
no religious prejudice, it thinks, in arith-
metic, grammar and many classical and
scientific studies: in history and general
literature there may and most probably Will |
be. In those studies where there Is no fear
OF proselytism. the Pilot considers it desira-
bic that the children should be educated IN
common, 50 that their intercourse IN child |
hood and boyhOOd NAV be the root of good |
will in after life.
Views put forth in such spirit are Ger
tainly entitled to respectful consideration
and if all Catholics were as free from bisot- 1
" as the Pilot, we should think with that
paper, that the differences On the school |
question might be amicably settled. without
sacrifice Of principles.