Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-12-09

Mr.. Blaine has issued the most import
ant manifestation thus far ~ the Presiden-
tial campaign OF 1876. IL j. nothing less
than an effort To appropriate to himself
whatever capital there was in Gen. Grants
Drs MoineS speech on the Roman Catho-
lies aud the schools. IL is admirably mt
It is plansible-is In tact the only solution
OF the question, provided a further solution
Is needed and IL Is launched at precisely
the right time. Mr.. Blaine has discovered
that there is nothing ut present to prevent
any state from having an established
church. or for distributing the fund. rai.-
cd 10y taxation in the interest of any sect.
whether for education or for other pur-
poses aud he proposes Constitutional
Amendment 10 limit the powers OF the
states 10 this further extent. His propo.-
al has the great advantage OF being ia
form 10 which nobody can object. Nothing
can be said against it except that il i not
needed while the feeling already aroused
goe. To show that a great many of our best
citizens think II I. needed Every poli-
tician knows that there il no subject on
which the average wcil-to-do citizen in the
country districts j. 50 sensitive a. upou
the possibility Of Roman Catholic aygrcs-
sion. particularly with reference To- the
schools. There is no point wherein popu-
tAi tl'JtibtNt Ni4tl we ~ sNlllIulit NfGNfFu
10 political use. Mr. Blaue adroitly
seized upon this feeling, recognized the
danger 10 which the President called The
public attention. aud passed clear beyond
him BY proposing practical remedy.
Cynical observers NAV think it strange IA
see ProteSiantism IN the hands OF such de-
Tenders and even The Intimate associates
OF the President and Mr.. Blaine NAV con.
Tess TO some surprise At this sudden zeal In
behalf OF evangelical religion against the
Pope. Nevertheless. they have struck up
on one of the most efficient agcncie. for u
In the present political situation; and Mr.
Blaine, at least. knows exactly what lie i,
about. without regarding the merits nj
the question or taking into sccouut at all
it. religious bearings, we may fairly pro-
nounce TIL. the shrewdcsi and most tor
midabls move Vet made On the Presidential
chess board io- ls1d.
Nor do We make light OF the real danger
which does In some quarters threaten the
system OF public schools II has already
been found necessary. Ia this and some
other states, 10 prohibit BY constitutional
provisions any division or diversion OF pub
lie school funds. But experience has
shown that these provisions can be cyaded
II may yet. oi course. become necessary to
meet The question Ia state elections. IL the
attack should continue, and At some future
tlmo should BECOME 80 powerful AS seri-
ously 10 threaten the existence OF the sys-
ten of free, non sectarian schools. il may
be needfaI, by amendment OF the Con,titti-
lion OF the United States. to raise 10 insu-
perable baGiers against all forms OF a.
sault upon the system. For. come what
may. the people OF the country will sustain
Their scbools' knowing that free Thought
cad free education are the basis " sspub-
hcan government, and that tree institution.
cannot be always AT. ia land Ia which
the education Of the Young /. len 10 the
churches