National Republican., 1876-01-31
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Massachusetts, Republicans on ths Question

N AkbbkCLUIe nepuUllC6ub VI bAo Oapsh4uAs
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN last Thursday
morning gave exclusively a brief synopsis Of
the preamble and resolutions offered by Mr..
Coon at the meeting of the Massachusetts, Re-
publican State Association on the night previous,
relating to the present free-school system, the
use OF the Bible therein and the necessity of an
amen dment to the constitution in support oft.
Without coming to any decision thereon the as
socistion adjourned, and the resolutions viii be
discussed at the next meeting. The full texs
Of them is given below:
Whereas from the earlIst colonial times of this
country down to the present day the edu ,ltion
OF her youth has been universally REGARDED as a
whereas at the present time public opinion has
become more or less divided as to certain books
which have been admitted into use In our puolic
schools, and particularly the Bible and general
history; and whereas IL Is believed by many that
this division springs rather from an Ill concealed
opposition to the system OF free schools tselfthan
ing to the books now In use; and whereas this op'
position has become go pronounced as TO threaten
with entire destruction our present system oil
public instruction, and has led the President OF
The United States 10 recommend to Congress, In
his late annual message that Consututlonai
the several States for ratification, making It their
duty to establish and forever maintain free pub
children in the rudimentary branches within
their limits irrespective of sex, color, birthplace
or religion: therefore,
brightest ornament Of the American name, the
proudest and most enduring monument which
nation can erect to itself, and is absolutely IN
separable from and essential to the perpetuatIon
of republican government.
Resolred, That the diffusion of religious infor-
nation can and should apDertain only to such
universally recognized principles as are embraced
in dealing Justly, righteously and kindly with all
men in the magnanimous spiris oL trus nDsrty,
have nothing to do with the peculiar tenets Of
any religious sect or faith whatever.
Rcsolred, That the Bible is not the peculiar
property Of any sect or associated body WhatsO-
ever that it is, on the contrary, the legacy OF an
uqufty to our times, and is equally the heritage
OF all mankind: that what has led 70 Its adoption
as schoOlbUOk is the belief that IL contains
more fully than any other book moral precepts
at once beautiful, pure and eleyattng, and moral
principles which are as basic and universal as
human nature itself, and that tree people has
tie same right TO il in its schools IN whole or
in part any version thereof that it has 10 use,
in whole or in part, any other book, SUBJECT only
to the dictates of reason or moral sense.
Resolved, That real history must, and of right
ought to- concern itself with all the essential
affairs of nations life, even the most intimate;
that the religious life CT people is an essential
part Gifts history that to Pe aSstai 70
that deserves to be mentioned; and that any sees
or associated body whatever that cannot endure
this, openly convicts itself Of moral turpitude,
weakness apd folly.
ReSo!red, That the principle on which il is de-
manded that the Bible or any other book shall be
pu: under ban in cur educational system, at the
bidding of sect O. party, would, II yielded TO,
commit US to the total subversiOn of free schools
inasmuch as there would thence be no end TO
such demands until all that is really useful in
school literature would he swept away, and the
course of instruction. dwindled iowa TO its barest
rudiments, would be abandoned by tbs people as
worthless
ReCoLreG. That the recommendation OF the
President of the United States to Congress, re-
garding amendment 10 the Constitution, In
voIving this subject, mus:, in our opinion receive
the warm approval OF every ightened, pa,ri-
otfc and rig hi. minded person in the country and
xa hut hone that il will at early Qay.
meet with generous response from the Con-
gTess of this nation.