Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1876-04-22

he mas become so far independent a
to desire to exercise his "religiou
liberty as an individual, in respect t
the education of his child. We ADM
that he is taking the first step outsid
of Catholicism, and ceases to be who'll
faithful to its memorable logic; never
theless, he is citizen, with all a cit
zen's rights, and, Notwithstanding hi
inconsistency, is entitled to PROTECTION
in those rights by the State. If onl,
strict logicians, could enjoy their civi
rights, we fear that there would b
very few to enjoy them; but it is neces
! sary to secure their civil rights TO al
who do not forfeit them bv crime.
But now that the Catholic paren
makes this first beginning in the ex
ercise of his individual conscience
and thereby really begins to fit him
self for worthy citizenship in State
based wholly on the rights of individ
uals, the priest steps in, takes advant
age of the parents still undiminisheC
faith in the Catholic doctrines, and
threatens 10 deprive him of Catholic
privileges which he still believes es
sential TO his salvation, unless he Yields
absolute submission to the priest and
sends his child to the parochial school
1t is OF no sort Of consequence what
particular belief the priest appeals To,
in the effort to intimidate the parent in
the exercise of his religious liberty, "
his individual conscience; it is perfect
ly immaterial whether the priest threat
ems death to his body or damnation to
his soul :. the fact remains that the par
ent is intimidated and coerced in his
concience, and that his attack on his
free individuality is direct and griev-
GUS infringement of his most precious
rights. \ system of religious terror
ism IS brought to bear with crushing
effect on the thoroughly honest, but yet
timid and superstitious conscience of
the Catholic parent who has been train
ed from childhood to believe in the
potency of priesIly threats and to sub
nit To them as to the voice of God
and what wonder is 1t, if thou
sands are frightened into a course
which their better judgment deplores I?
This is the case with very many Cath
Ollie parents, as is proved by the neces-
sity of the priests resOrting to threats
as the only means Of filling up and
sustaining the Catholic schools. Yet
is this religious terrorism,
driving parents to send their children
to schools which they believe to be-
less useful than the public schools,
worse than political terrorism which
drives cOlored voters to cast their ballots
contrary to the dictates of their own
Judgment? We cannot consider the
)ne any less Il crime against the person
han the other. The pIoOfo IntImida-
ion in the making of a contract or al
will vitiateS it in the courts; a bill has
ust been introduced in Congress de
;laring it penal offence to intimidateI
any witness by threatening him by pros
ecution "; such influences are rccOg-
lized in many cases rs violations of
liberty; why not in this?
3. But it is urged, the State can
lot NEEDLE with intimidations based |
IN such superstitiOus fears as these, I
without mixing the State with the
Church. Law can supply no remedies
or the victims of superstition" But,
without inquirng at all into the nature
If any alleged intimidation further than
O establish is existence as fact, the
aw ought to protect inofensiye citizens
rom intimidation altogether, if it in
aides, impairs, or destroys the free eX-
rcise of theii individual minds and
CT the full enjoyment of
heir civil rights. Now 1t is civil
light of every citizen to send his chill
ren, ifqualifitd, to the public schools;
nd every STATE which, like Rhode Is
and, guarantees religious and politi-
al freedom " b its inhabitants, makes
he free exercise of the individual con-
cience also acivil right. Ii is, then,
violation of their civil rights to at
ampt by intimidation of any sort, no
natter what, to brighten parents from
ending their, children to the public
chOols; it is neither more nor less than
crime against the person, and there
pre- against the State, which the State
ught to treat as a crime and to punish
S a crime. The crime consists in the
which deters inOffensiveI
itizens against their will, from claim
lg or enjoying their civil rights-not
t all in the nature of the fears appealed j
, by those who practice it upon them.
Whether it is the Catholic priests or
ne Ku-KluX-Klan that undertake tOI
lay the role of intimidatOrs, it matters
othing; no free State can long SURVIVED i
here such crimes can be committed ,
18th impunity, and it is about time
,r the American Republic to become
ware of its own danger in permitting l
lem. On every ground, we fail to see ,
ny the proposed law in Rhode Island
not a Just, righteous, and a needed l
ne. Although there is a certain
in seeing a Church which 5
leads "pa .onel PrerOgative and I
parental r z :" against the public
,hool syste, take the initiative in
trampling them under J
'ot, the subject is Of altogether too t
.rious nature to provoke much mirth !
nd we trust that the Independent will
its somewhat hastily formed !
ews concerning it. At any rate, we G
tlJC lItAt Jul NOillA AAANAA " al AAOt 81 :
lstily dismiss from consideration the =
ertinent reminder of their duty which
hode Island, the ancient and tried
lend of religious liberty, has now so c
ointedly given. 2
"But this is free country for Cath
les, as well as Protestants," says the
Yes-just so long as
atholics propagate their religion by !
ersuasion, by argument, by appeals to :
Imagination or faith or the senses, or !
: other peaceable means; and no long
!. 1t is not a free country for Cath
les, when they resort to force or in :
or, fit is, it ceases to be a I
ee country for anybody else Have n
not right to wollop my own niggerg"
exclaimed the STAKEHOLDER.
anting himself on his constitutional 5
sht to be free from the meddling a
orth. Have not a right to make 7
Y child religious?' might have been =