The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-11

their children ana tnelT nelgnOOTs Cnllufen
that education which adverse circumstan-
ces denied to them. Neither does OPP
position come from the wealthy or educat-
ed, because they are ready and willing to
accord to others the same advantages which
they have reaped the benefits of.
There Is, however, unfortunately, another
class who are measurably Opposed TO the
public school system, not because the
schools are free or public, but because tax
alton Is required to make them 30. But
they belong not to one political party,
neither do they profess any one creed or re-
ligion. They belong alike to the demo-
cratic and republican parties, and can be
found among those who profess to be
Protcstants or Catholics, or among those
claiming or admitting "no preference
relative to religious creeds or denomina-
tons. They are chronic grumblers at tax
alton, and only meet and stand on COM
mon platform in this respect. They will
oppose and vote against all kinds Of taxa
ton whether it is in town, village or school
affairs. These men, and these men alone,
oppose the free public schools, and then
opposition is not to the school but to the
taxes. We appeal to the history of Rut-
land, as well rs of every other community,
to show that these men are not distinctive
ly of any one political party, or IN sympa-
thy with any particular religious denomina-
ton, sect or creed. In and of Themselves,
fulness of the common schools, much lees
to work their abrogation. The only posi-
BILE danger to be apprehended from their
efforts is that by union with others, upon
a sectaran basis, they might accomplish
indirectly that which would be i'm
possible of attainment on distinct ISSUE
But even here, we have no particular ap-
prehcnslons. We are unalterably opposed
to anything of scctarian basis in our pub
lie schools. We believe that the majority
of the people are of the same opinion
Nothing would 80 arouse the people of this
state or country as the union of church and
state, no matter in how small homeo-
pathic dose such union might be pre-
sented. 1t must he confessed that system
of sectarian schools, supported by taxation,
would smack somewhat of such a union.
Have we not little Of it here in Vermont,
and among protestants, too? We profess,
as a people, TO look upon the growth of the
Catholic church as Il perpetual menace to
our free educational system. We say that
they would, if they had the power, estab-
fish sectaiiah schools Is the belief honest?
If so, is it the part of wisdom
&c give them any provocation for such
course Which is the wisest, to unite them
against or make them friendly to our school
system as it is? We believe the safest and
wisest course to be to disarm all opposition,
by melting out equal and exact justice to
all of every faith and creed. Think you
that such opposition can be disarmcd by q
wholesale expulsion of children from school
for non-attendance. as was the case in Brat
tleboro, because the religion of their fathers
required their absence? Is this our boosted
freedom to worship God according to the
dictates of our own consciences? If we
desired TO overthrow free public schools,
and build up scctaiian schools on their
ruins, could we pursue surer road The
people, now, without distinction of party
or sect, are united in support of the COM
mon school system. Any party or sect that
should avow hostility to 1t would meet with
disastrous defeat But we can organize
opposition to public schools, we can make
sectarian schools possibility by following
in the wake of Brattleboro. The Ameri-
can people are more bitterly opposed to OPP
preston in any form than they are appre-
hensive of Il homeopathic union of church
and state. We believe they woul accord
a public support to sectarian schools rather
than allow, in our public schools, of perse-
cution for conscience sake. They would
be compelled to choose between two evils,
and if they could not rectify both evils,
| they would choose the least, and keep UNI
impaired the guaranty of freedom to wor-
ship God according to the dictates OF indi-
vidual consciences. Without an endorse
ment of the Brattleboro precedent, secta-
rian schools, supported by taxation, are i'm
possible. The entire abolition of free
system of common schools is, as we con-
ceive, in any event, simple impossibilty
i l:.. 4 a.
make the issue, it will he welcomed. II
the question must be met, the sooner il
comes the better. If it must needs be thai
offences come, well and good, but woe tC
that party or man by whom the Offence
cometh.