New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-27

consequence of the Democratic enforce
ment resolutions. The plan for preserving
the peace and enforcing the laws, as pro
posed by the Democratic President Pierce
may work out precisely in that way by I
volunteer excursion from the North ant
West, an occupation of the States by tn
militia of one or more States, and no
impossibly by the second coming of Majol
General Benjamin F. Butler to spend {
few weeks in the Crescent City.
THE EDUCATIONAL QUESTION IN ENG
LAND AND FRANCE.
An improved educational system for thu
many appears just now to be imperatively
demanded in the two countries above
named, not merely by far-seeing states
men, but by that pressure from without
which is SO frequently the stimulant to
legislative action. But in these good old
countries beyond the sea, far-seeing states
manship is often sadly hampered by ven.
cradle traditions and fossil prejudices. A
difficulty is experienced in shaking off the
customs and errors of the past, and, more
particularly, if the demand be to accept
in their stead the progressive ideas Of
other lands and peoples.
In the matter of common school educa-
ton for the millions, England and France
are sadly behind Germany and America;
yet England and France, in their own
opinion, at least, stand in the van of civil
zation, and take rank with the first ma
tions Of the world With the growth Of
liberal ideas and the enlargement of the
elective franchise, these, to US, father
lands, find it necessary to enlarge the
phylacteries Of popular intelligence in
their midst. The unlettered peasant and
the rough hind, incapable of speaking his
own language, furnish no satisfactory
substratum for representative institutions.
Hence it comes about that the old horn
book has to be revised and improved, and
is to be carried with new methods of in
struction into humble schools where the
children Of toll may be taught at least the
rudiments of knowledge.
One of the difficulties to be overcome
in carrying out the progressive designs of
our transatlantic friends is to be found
in the traditional relations of Church and
State; another arises from the sectarian
intolerance which exists among the N
and pervades even their political institu-
tons.
A short time since the British House of
Commons devoted an entire night to the
discussio of an education bill Disraeli
had previously aroused intense opposition
by advocating clause which favored the
abolition of school boards, and his par
tisans in the government, on the night in
question. stirred up new excitement by
proposing to compel school boards to pay
UNCONVENTIONAL schools stated fees for
teaching the children of INDECENT parents.
This proposition was made in the interest
of Catholic schools, which the parents of
INDECENT children are disposed to favor;
but, as subsequently modified, it gives an
advantage to the Church of England
schools and less wholesale subsidy to
those Of the Catholic Church.
To all this the non-conformist Liberals
object. They wish to free the schools
from all sectarian bias, leaving questions
Of religious faith to be taught at home, or
by the spiritual guides whom the parents
of the pupils may happen to approve.
The Liberal minority flibustered-as we
would say in this country-on the ques-
ton, and finally compelled an adjourn
ment after the morrow's dawn. Next day
q sort of compromise modification was
accepted, transferring the payment of fees
to UNCONVENTIONAL schools for the instruc-
ton of INDECENT children to the boards of
poor law guardians, one member opposing
this amendment on the ground that it
would make the so-called county rates
largely contributory to mon astic and
schools"
In speaking of this bill, the London
Times declares that lit would be rash to
feel any confidence with respect to q
measure which has proved SO provo cative
Of passion while the Ners insists that
zone should be a perfect devotee to the
UNCONVENTIONAL system not to feel little
shocked at the manner in which the gov
achieved their recent triumphs."
All this goes to show how much the
majority of the House of Comm ons have
yet to learn in matters Of educational and
political policy. Instead of establi shing
rec schools where all could meet on q
common level, they get up mixed system
which. to the minds of many of the
pupils, carries with it the sting of a per-
'etual degradation. Yet the boys thus
reated, and thus taught, are to be the
uture voters and defenders of the coun-
~, and the fathers of Englishmen who
re expected to be proud of their native
md.
In France the matter is but little better.
he average French voter requires far |
etter education than that which he at |