Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-10-06

The BOARD of Education have
decided to abolish the reading of the
Scriptures in the public schools of
Chicago, whereat some are wroth,
other some are glad. The more in
telligent and far seeing not only con-
cur in this action, but give it their
hearty support, perceiving therein
the only consistent course to be per-
sued.
It is the boast of American citi-
zenship that the Constitution of the
United States gives its exclusive
sanction to no one form or character
Of Religion, but opens its doors of
federation to all Religions, putting
them on the same level before the
law, offering equal protection to all.
This land is Protestant in fact, but
it is SO voluntarily and not through
legal compulsion. Tomorrow or
next year it may be Catholic, if it
SO elect, or it may be Budhistic or
Brahminic or Druidic, instead of
Christian, but it must all come in
the way Of free voluntary choice.
The civil law can have nothing to
do with it, pro or con. Government
claims no jurisdiction over con-
science, it takes no stock in faith, de-
mands no tribute, pays no bills.
Our Public Schools are civil in
stitutions established by civil law
and supported by civil law. The
government creates and controls
them precisely as it makes and con-
trolls postoffices, and the coinage of
money, and the rights and obliga-
tons of navigation upon the high
Seas, and the imports and exports
of the land. To admit Religion to
its Jurisdiction, would be in the first
place to violate its own fundamental
law; and in the second place, to adj
NIT, as its ward, every Religion un-
der the Sun, with it's several Bibles,
Gods, ceremonies and superstitions.
They are here now, but not as
wards of the State. ANY man may
have any God he pleases, and no.
body shall modest him, but the Gov
eminent is committed to no God,
Ancient or Modern, Human or
Divine.
Does this exclusion of r eligion
from the Public Schools of Chicago
or any other place render them
ssGodless' in the sense of the adj
verse criticism on the movement?
By no means. The schools are no
more Goddess than railroads godly
men patronize; no more goddess
than manufactures, commerce, agri-
culture, art, banking, bookkeeping
or housekeeping. Is a blacksmith
shop goddess place, unless a Bible
is read in it, and catechisms are
taught as a part of its work? Is the
calculation of an cell pse and other
study Of the heavens which declare
the glory of God, Goddess work
unless religious institutions go there
with? Nonsense, Goodness per-
talns to character, and not to faiths
or exercises. These are matters
personal-optional. They belong
to the sanctities of the Home, the
culture of the Church, the sacred
ness Of the Individual mind, which
no statute may invade, no authority
may patronize.
But shall I be taxed to support
schools don't believe in? AS much
as for roads, police systems, or suf-
frage laws you may not believe in.
Whatever pertains to public enlight-
enment and the highest ends of good
government, of whose benefactions
you are the perpetual recipient, has
a just claim upon your support.
You may not like post Offices, and
choose to send your letters by private
conveyances !; you have right to
do SO. But Post Offices are vital
organs in the government which pro-