Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-12-24
Free school. and Church Taxation.

President Grants recommendations, in
his recent message, regarding the taxation
of church property and the secularizatlon
of the public schools, though taking the
country somewhat by surprise, seem 10 be
received with very general favor, at least
so far as regards the principles involved.
That there is danger in allowing the accnm-
ulation of enormous wealth in the hands or
under the control of ecclesiastical leaders,
free from the burden Of taxation imposed
upon private property, is sufficiently attest
ed by the history OF other nations; and few
people, we apprehend, beside Catholics,
would oppose the enactment of laws by the
several States, or by Congress so far as its
jurisdiction extends, requiring property
held by religious societies TO bear the bur-
den of its protection. The injunction to
"render unto Caesar the things which are
Cesars," is not more justly binding upon
individuals than upon churches. The ra-
pidity with which church property is in
creasing in this country, as shown by the
| Presidents figures, is a sufficient reason
why this subject should receive the imme-
diate attention of our legislators. An ounce
| ers, is worth at least pound of cure. This
subject is one 10 which The attention Of our
readers has before been called, and we be-
| lieve was brought up during the last ses-
sion OF our legislature, tn ough without re-
suit. twill be well for the country If the
| prominence given 10 the subject in the
| Presidents message shall lead 10 the adop-
ton of efficient measures for the proven
| ton of future evils from this source.
The Presidents proposition in relation
to the schools, -"making 1t the duty of The
several States to establish and forever main
tain free public schools adequate to the ed
ucation of all the children in the rudimen-
tary branches within their respective linn
| its, irrespective of sex, color, birthplace or
religion, forbidding the teaching in said
schools of religious, atheistic, or pagan ten
cts, and prohibiting the granting of any
school funds or school taxes, or any part
thereof, either by legislative, municipal, or
| other authority, for the benefit, or in aid,
directly or indirectly, of any religious sect
| or denomination, or in aid, or for the hem
eft, of any other object of any nature or
| kind whatever,"--is in direct accord with
the position heretofore taken by THE PHG-
NIX on this question. The absolute secu-
larization of our public schools is matter
which has of late been widely discussed,
and upon which widely different opinions
have been expressed. Both the secular
| and religious press-ai least The Protestant
| portion of it-seem inclined to regard the
idea of secularization with favor, though
there are some prominent exceptions.
Zion's Herald (Methodis) of Boston, in
discussing the question, with candor and
force, says:
"Tbe State deals only with temporal af-
fairs, and does not attempt TO usurp spirit
| ual functions. Therefore the objects and
methods of public education are wholly
| secular, but by no means necessarily, or at
| all, immoral or irreligious. On the contra
| ry, they are decidedly favorable to piety
and morality. But composed denomina-
| tionally as the American people is, the
State ought not to impart religious educa-
| ton. The moment such an attempt should
he made, the community would be in con-
| flict as to what form it should take. Itmay
be conceded, without danger perhaps, that
the State should not teach ethics. EXCEPT so
far as the great fundamental principles of
| morals and politics as to which all Amer
leans are agreed are concerned. The re-
ligiOus education of children may and
should be RENTED TO the family, the Sab
bath school, and the church-the natural
and divinely appointed guardians of relig-
ion and ethics"
The Christian Union remarks: