The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-09-17
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
REMARKS UPON.

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and base appeal TO sectarian prejn-
dices."
REMARKS UPON.
Aa examination of these resolutions
shows that each of the political parties
in Ohio has declared against any division
of the school fund of the State among
religious sects, and of complete sepa
ration of the Church and State.
1t Isl little strange, however, that the
Democrats of Ohio, in the same resolu-
ton wherein they took this action, should
declare that the Republicans had, two
weeks before, insulted the Intelligence
of the people, and made base appeal to
sectarian preiudices, by doing the same
thing that they were then doing. 1t is
difficult to see how it is any more of an
insult for the Republicans of Ohio to de-
clare in favor of our admirable system
of free schools, and against any division
of the school fund for sectarian or other
purposes, than it is for the Democrats
to do so.
THE PEOPLE DEMANDED ACTION BY THE
POLITICAL PARTIES.
Itisnpt trpe that the Republicans in
tended to or did insult the people of
Ohio, but it is true that both parties
were compelled to take this action in
compliance with the demands of the peo-
pie Of the State, as emphatically ex-
pressed by them through their newspa-
pars and County Conventions in nearly
every county in the State, prior TO the
assembling of the State Convention
That the Republicans took this action
cheerfulIy, and were in full sympathy
with what they did, Is to be rightfulIy
inferred from their open and plain reso-
luiions. That the Democrats did it re-
Iactnntly, because they feared a loss of
votes and power if they did not, is APP
parent also from the resolution itself
II tIieY had been sincere in their protes-
tatioms of pnwiIlingness Tor division of
the sghpQl iund, they would have been
pleased that their opponents agreed with
them ia regard To this important matter
- that there was no political party TO
attack the public schools. Instead of
this feeling, however. the nchccrats
i,I".gi ut the Republicans for lIaving eX-
pressed themselves in favor of the
schools, and angrily sGy that they have
insulted tile intelligence of tie people,
and made base appeal TO sectarian pref
ud;ce.
lIistead of any insult being offered by
the Republicans, the fnsult-if insult
thrre, WAS to the peOple-wa' given by
tha democrats. We have already said
thai the people Of the state had become
alarmed on the subject of their schools,
and that neither party dared to ignore
this question, or to pass 1t by in silence.
The Democrats, in saying that the Re
pubIicans offered an insult In listening
to this demand, certainly offer AN lndig-
nifty to the great body of the people, all
over Ohio, who were aroused on this
subject, and certainly demanded action
upon a.
In tlils action there was no desire, Ell
ther on the part of the people or the Re-
publican party, TO interfere with any re-
ligious sect or with any individual in the
sacred right ITO worship God according
to the dictates Of his own conscience.
There was n desire, however, that the
public schools should remain what they
now are and have ever been-tree from
all seetarian influence; and that they
should be so conducted that all the peo-
Die could receive their benefits.
HOW THE FEARs OF THE PEOPLE WIRE
EXCITEp.
How the fears of the people had been
aroused we now propose to show. That
there was cause for alarm We also pro-
pose to show. In all the cities of Ohio
the Catholic Church hRs thousands of
devoted adherents. In nearly every vii
lage it has its place of worship. Its dis
ciples form no inconsiderable portion of
the voting population OF the State. That
lis ultra leaders are unalterably opposed
to our free schools is a fact that cannot
be disputed and is not denied. 1t can
be proven by their utterances, by the
sentiments published by their newspa-
pers, and by the fact that they refuse,
and for years have refused, to consent
that children of Catholic parents be sent
to PUBLIC schools. notwithstanding the
fact that Catholic property owners are,
of course, required by the laws of Ohio
to contribute their share to the support
of these schools, yet, under the power
| ful influence of its ultra leadership, they
tax themselves heavily and support par
ochiaI schools of their own. In every
city or considerable town these schools
will be found. Their substantial and
costly school buildings and large corps
of teachers cannot be supported without
vast expenditure of money. What
could show more clearly than this the
firm and unyielding hostility of the Cath
olic hierarchy TO our free schools.
| EXTRACTS FhoM Ihh SAlhoL4S FhhsS'
These ultra leaders also give express
sion to their antagonism to the school
system through the Catholic press, as is
shown by the following extracts;
The New York FreemGn'S Journal, of
November 18th, 1874, says:
Education is not the work of the
! State at all. 1t belongs to families, and