The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-08-31

precious liberty than that OF parents /,
educate their children In tho manner
which they think will make them ham,
for timo and for eternity. Therefore
tho Catholic people, with logical So,
quoncc, claim the protection Of IN,
Government, so rs not To DO molcstcd
In their schools.
3. We say protection. No doubt
Justice and equality would entitlc the
Catholic people oi tho country to cNomp.
| ton from taxation Tor tho support of
other schools. or to a share Of the pub
lie school fund in proportion to the
number Of pupils in their schools. But
even this claim we arc disposed to
waive IN your favor.
q. You u have no reason 20 fear
the effect of our system on the Com
monwcalth, because experience has
proved that the students ofour colleges.
academies and schools, are ms good
and rs useful citizens rs those who
come out OF your institutions. And. IL
in every other branch ot human action
you admit the principle Of competition.
and believe in its beneficial influence,
why should YOU exclude il from cduca.
ton. aud deprive yourselves OF the ben
eft which emulation would produce?
I. We fear Notwithstanding this sim
core, precise and solemn declaration.
there will yet ho found ianatical men
and political speakers who will cndcay-
or to excite their hearers by asserting
The imaginary opposition oi the Cathol-
ic clergy To the public schools OF the
country. II is one Of the misfortuncS OF
this world that II cannot get rid oi men
who, like Don QniNotc. are p~crpctually
fighting against the windmillS. under
the plea Of imminent danger To their tel
low men. Such do not know the truth,
and, though we repeat it n thousand
times that we do not oppose their school
any more than W. adore images, or
in the merits of Christ, they will u
thousand times renew the charge and
swear that we do. We TO not expect
to silence such men. but we appeal tn
all tair-mindcd citizens no to be led as
tray by the bigotcd or ignorant rantin.
of men who blind them Tor their own
political ends.
We ask no favor or privilege. All
we ask is to he let alone in following
the dictates Of our conscience. and YOU
cannot refuse this wiSIout undermining
the Constitution and preparing the way
for the loss OF the same freedom Tor
yourselves.
Americans. we are willing TO rally
with you under the flag and Cuns,itu-
ton. and maintain them with our blood.
rs we have done heretofore. But We
cannot help fearing that both are in peril
while n large number of our icllow.cit-
liens. in and out of office, allow them
selves TO be influenced bv fanaticll or
self.iatcrcsted politicians, or by
infidcl and revolutionary foreigners, f,
who come to Us with the proud pretcn-
tions of teaching us what republican
government Is, about which they know
nothing themselves. All we ask is that
You will not 60 to such men to learn
what we aim at. or what are our scnti-
Give us a fair hearing. and re-
this declaration as the sincere en-
preston OF our true principles, which
VIC make before God and men. actuated
by no other motive than one desire for
welfare and progress and prrpct-
uity of our country, such as the Fathers
OF &c made it,and Intended tillti it should
remain.
Your sincere friend and lover Of the
American Republic.
JOHN X. PURCELL.
Arclbi~ lDu of cincinnati