The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-09-24
FATHER ALFRED YOUNG ON THE SCHOOL
QUESTION:.

AZ "n0 HuIbor u tho New England:
/ beg to be allowed to say a few words on
your late editorial headed " Parochial VS.. Pub
lilo Schools" Putting aside for a moment the
question of the statistics adduced, 1 would
ike to put the argument of the article in proper
form, which is this Illiteracy, pauperism and
crime ara each and all due to the system OF
education adopted by u country. But Patrick,
John and Michael, exiies from their own coun-
try, are found, after o residence in this conn
Try, to be llliterate, psupers and criminals.
Therefore, the system of educstion in their
nails.
Now, with Difference, think even Whately
would object TO that argument as very defect
i've in it's logic. Surely, there is hundred
ing person, why q large number of our immi-
grant class are found illiterate and poor,
even get arrested in New York-dH of the Irish,
particularly, twice and a half times D. as your
statistics. as given by Dexter Hawkins, Esq
prove they were Il am CARTONS TO know if this
be the same gentleman who himself figured
pretty largely in the columns of the New York
Herald, and other papers, few years ago, un-
| der the soubriquer of Sinister Hawkins. At
any rate, object to the logic, and will have
something to say to the fgares This is the
way venture to argue:
That system of schools which inculoates
| higher standard of morality, which makes bet
ter citizens, and which is the basis of purer
| Christian faith, is the better system. (Ah! I
| am happy to see that but copy my major pro-
position from your own editoriai.)
But,-the parochial system OF schools incul
",
| therefore the parochal system is the better
| system Or, to put it in another form That
system of schools W hich is the basis of purer
Christian faith will inculcate hi CHER standard
of morality, and make better citizens.
Bat.-the parochal system is such basis
therefore that system will inculcate a higher
standard of morality and make better citizens.
Now, dear Mr.. Editor, is it necessary for me
to prove either of my minors to your intelli-
gent readersf I think not. Schools in which
religion is, by theory and practice ignored.
0o Law
Christian faith which, if we'll laid. would indis-
putably inculcate in the minds and hearts of
children the highest and best lessons of moral
ity, and make of them the best possible citi-
zens. That is just the claim of the parochial
system. Such schools are essentially religious.
Public schools are essentially secular. In the
science. In the latter, that science is forbid
den to be taught. Our" assumption " is there
fore true, and as consequence the argument
must be conceded in our favor"
But what of the statistics of Dexter Haw-
kins, Esq, giving reports of the Department
| of Charities and Correction in our good city
of New York; Taking for granted that his
figures are correct, the fairness of the conclu-
sons drawn from them can be judged of by
the following extract from the u. S. Census
Report for 1870, page 566:
"While immigrants continue to arrive at our
shores by hundreds of thousands each year. it
is matter of course that some, from sickness,
from failure through ignorance, to make proper
provision, from accidents of one sort or
the organized hordes OF ruffians which beset
our immigrant ships, will have occasion, in q
wholly strange land, to appeal for temporary
assistance to the guardians of law appointed
over them. This is hardly pduperism in any
proper sense and until the immigr has passed
| from under the control of the commissioners of
immigration, into the condition of q recognized
and registered inmate of some asylum or aims
house, he cannot be said to constitute one Of the
paapers Of the city or of the State"
Now tor word on the subject of crime as
of pnhn
What ls the general influence of public schools
| on public and private moralsf Be pleased to
read an editorial of Prof. Agassiz in the Boston
| Herald of October Goth, 1871. He visited and
| noted down the houses of ill-fame in the city
| of Boston, and the result filed him with dig
may. He freely conversed with the inmates,
and the life histories that were revealed were
| sad indeed. To his utter surprise, large pro.
portion of the "eoiled ones" traced their fall to
influences that met them in the public schools );
! and although Boston is justly proud of it's
| schools, 1T would seem, from his story, that
! they need thorough publication. Be pleased
to read the New York Herald of February 9Ch,
| 1874, about Ihe prevalent vice of stealing in
| the public schools.
Be pleased to read the report of the " Society
| for Moral Education" OF which Mrs l. l.
| Chandler, of Boston, was, and may yet be. the
! Inspiring genius, on the alarming prevalence
! of intemperence and various fcightfn! social
vices, the increase Of perHici0as knobre6gc among
children and youth, etc Be pleased to peruse the
following from the american Educational Month
| ty: JG ID well TO rememb Der That knowledge is
not virtue itself, but only the handmaid of
| virtue. Tni0 is tie lesson of Connecticut sta
| tistics-a State having tiret-class university
| az well aS the usual DeTIoTk of common schools;
! il every Line ard ssven-terths marriages there
is sure to be Que divorce, who make it their
| business to procure divorces by showing pre-
scribed forms, yet without the knowledge of
| one or other of the parties"
| Be pleased to read DR.. Storer's book on
Criminal Abortious," aud Rev. DR.. Todd's
book, "Ssrpents 10 the Doves Nest" revealing
horrors which cannot be transcribed here. Be
pleased to learn that one of the strong reasons
why our Catholic clergy and intelligent isity
are opposed to the public schools, is the HareVa-
lence in them of nameless Immoral vices tc
| which we dread to our children exposed, at
well as the skeptical, irreligious spirit mani
tested by pupils and graduates from tnem.
Finally, hear the opinions Of the vIell-knowr
statesmen, all Protestants, on tie subject o.
religion in the schools
Lord Derby: "Publto education should b,
considered as insepSrable from religion" The
contrary system is declared by him to be I" th,
realization of q fooli.h aud dangerous idea"
Mr. Gladstone: Every system which placer