The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-12-02

| institutions as we claim tor ourself.
1t is admitted by all that our liberties
must rest upon the intelligence Of tho
people. That is not the point at issue:
for those who demand separate schools
are ready to pledge themselves to giyo
as full secular aducation as that now
furnished in the public schools.
Neither can it be claimed that there is
anything irreligious in education itself.
There is no possible heresy in reading.
writing, grammar, geography or arith-
matte. The rule Of three neither proves
nor disproves any theological dogma:
and the length OF the Tombigbee or tho
Hoangho rivers throws no light on tran
substantiation or predestination. If our
whole people were converted tomorrow
to Mohammedanism or Brahminism the
alphabet. the rules of arithmetic, tho
forms OF grammar and the facts of pc
ography. astronomy, ETC., would remain
the same. In short secular education.
considered in itself, has nothing what
ever to do with morality or immortality.
religion or irreligion. And we cannot
therefore perceive wherein congrega-
tions of young people, TO pursue their
studies in a public school, are necessa-
rily any more Goddess" than similar
assemblages would be to- learn the prin-
ter's art or the carpenters trade.
But, say some, it will be admitted that
there is q great deal OF immortality in the
age itself, loosening OF the marriage
tie. debauchery, corruption, pecu!ation,
and crime and violence. Granted: but
are the public schools responsible for
this? Is it not due to the fact that reli-
gion has been for years past. yes, we
may say, for century past losing its
hold upon the convictions of the adult
population 1t is not necessary to 90
into the causes of this result; it is sulfi-
cient to know that thousands are sceptical
and hundreds of thousands Indifferent.
There is scarcely q leading newspaper
in our country that does not sneer ct re-
ligien. This result is to be deplored:
for, aside from the truth or error Of the
dogmas taught, the moral training and
discipline for which we must look alone
to churches and pastors, is essential, in
our judgment, to the preservation
virtue and the safety Of society; and
hence al the christian churches are
working together FOR the good or man
kind. 1t is scarcely possible to conceive
OF an enduring republic based on intelli-
gence without morality. Tho walls Of
the penitentiaries Of such a country
would simply divide the stupid knaves in
side from the intellectual knaves outside.
i Unbelief therefore has not arisen from
the public schools it has descended into
them from the adults. It has not come
from the alphabet and the Arabic M
merals, but from spirit Of scepticism
in the age itself, attacking first the
thoughtful and penetrating downward
among the multitude. The remedy. n
our judgment, is not the destruction or
modification of the public school system.
but greater vigilance and activity upon
the part Of the churches. The school,
hours do not exceed thirty hours IN the
week out of 1863. Let the pastors use !
portion the remaining time to train the
moral nature Of the young. Above all
LET them be prepared to fight Unbelief
with logic and enthusiasm.
The public schools have yielded. one
magnificent result little dwelt upon;-
they have ameliorated and nearly DESTROY.
ed the old, bitter, terrible rage Of religio1s
intolerance. If there are no longer =.
ligious riots in this country, such as
twenty-five or thirty years ago burned
churches and murdered citizens in tho
name Of God. 1t is dne TO the fact tliat
the rising generations. OF all religions.
have mingled freely with each other IN
the public schools, Jew and Universalisf.
Catholic and Protestant; and they hayn
formed friendships and associations II
the years Of childhood which have soft
ened the asperities Of religious intoler.
ance; 50 that each has learned to resDecf
all the good which he found il the otl1ers.
To separate the different religions nov.
into different pews, like wild beasts IN I
menagerie, would, in thirty years, breed
destructive results TO that peace and har.
mony which should exist among the peo-
pie Of the country. The old Romans.
believed that the Christians sacrificed
and devoured children in their secret ~.
semblages. Divide the people or thfs
country, during the period of youth In
to separate sects, and distrust and bi1ot-
~ would resume old-world proportions.
II to-day Grant fails to build his empire
on religious hates and possible reIig-
ions war. it will be because the frsa
schools Of the United States have elm
mated sectarian bigotries from the hearts
| VI tnS PcOple.
| The duty Of the patriot and statesmaa
then, who believes liberty and equality
to be essential to the happiness or ti1e
multitude, Is to maintain, the carxe N
universal secular education against al
corners; at the same time to lend the aid
Of his voice. pan and energy to All fhose
influences which tend to suppress yico
and ennoble the moral nature Of mar.
We cannot be made TO believe that In
telligencc is incompatible with RELIGION
or religion inimical to liberty.
In the meantime we ask ali men u
unite with us in opposition to the -.
nicious and damnabIe Efforts, nov bein~.
made, to revive the old Known othin@s
party; and 70 erect the throne of Z r..
! pot On Il, foundation Of religious hatco7
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