, 1876-08-20


C1ihoifc 7eeJrdDa. Cincinnati
For years the attitude vi The Catholic Church
toward the public schools has been either
ki''wing'y or isaorantly 1nisrepresrnted. By
the press and in tic forum, in tile halls Of legs
lation, end il the pu!pits OF Professionalism, the
Catholic Ch1rch has been falsely and foully a.
:ascd of designing the destruction OF the com
mon-sc1loo! system. With the faint hope Of
making our roicc heard above the loud din Of
Handler which meets us OH every side when the
scAocl question is discussed, We beg leave to
state catcsorically the position Of the Catholic
Church in relation to the common schools.
Enemies Of the Catholic Cuurch assert that
The Bishops and clergy Of the Catholic Church
Ire hostile to The public schools Of the country,
and arc lca-Ied together to destroy them.
Americans, teau our declaration anu learn our
true sentiments:
!. 1hr Catholic Bishops and clergy have no
Intention whatever to interfere With Your public
school System. Build Us 1nany schools as you
wish; we w4ll never say word against it, and
Ne Will leare to yourselves tie care of your own
children.
? You wish your schools to be free from all
tels1ols Influence; III otucr words, you wisl,
tncin not to be sectional or settarian in any
sense The epscopatc uf tho Catholic Church
fays, in this regard: Do with your ehildr EN- rs
Jon please.
a VT Catholics, on the other hand, are under
Lie connection that children are sent to school
not ony to i,e formed iuto citizens, but also,
asa especially, to he educated iuto good 1nen
aud good Christians, aud our Church believes,
70 10 ~ earnest, with Guizot, the celebrated Pro-
sestaht statesman Of Frallre, that education can
y no means be separated fron religious ln-
auence. Therefore, while leaving your schools
huoi ho ther management peacefully in your own
LEDGE, We claim the right of having schools OF
oaf own, from which religion shall not be ex-
GUIDED, but be allowed to exercise it's salutary
'aaognrcs OIL our youth.
!. we claim the right on the plea that We are
= = 4e1islous bodv in this free country, whose
constitution most soleml.ly guarantees the free
OF religious belief to Ill its citizens and
eas fullest personal freedom III regard to the
.a u.aa1es Of conscience. Now, there is not
uoIe tho essential Or more precious liberty than
.nat ot parents to educate their children in the
9laanef Which they think will make them happy
~, los u1ne and for eternity. Therefore, the
I,aenoc ~ people, with logical sequence, claim
.ae protection vi the Government SO as not to
oe n0esfed in their schools.
d.. .. We sar protection. No doubt justice and
Equality would entitlc the Catholic people Of
~ sac country to exemption from taxation for the
,; supi,ofL OF Other schools, Or to share OF the
puo'ie i 1und III proportion to the number OF pu-
nts 10 10 their schools. But even this claim we
~ " lou tau have uu reason to fear the effect OF
W. W. system on the commonwealth, because e1-
nI1teuce uce 1as proved that the students OF our
ee''eses " academies, and schools are As good and
20 useful citizens US those who come out Of your
h.tuuons. h.1..aens. And il in every other branch OF
.a.: naaaa action you admit the principle Of COM
pIuon' and believe in its beue6ciaf influence,
1ny should you exclude it from education, and
~, .,-Ir'e Yourselves uf the benefit which emula-
lion would produce?
49, =. We 4car that, notwithstanding this sincere,
e. Wfaease, and solemn declaration, there will yet
~ " aouna lanatical men and political speakers
Sno Wi cndeayor to excite their hearers by as
,,a.s -Ms tne imaginary opposition OF the Catholic
eIgy " the public schools OF the country. 1T
oue ol The mls10rtunes of this world that it
annot get nd OF men who, like Don Quixote,
&c perpctually fighting against wind-mills, un-
~ ~ ncn. Such men do not know the truth.
uu1 though We repeat it thousand times that
W MOI oppose their schools any more than
aaore images, or trust more in the Blessed
ftsin Than in the merits of Christ, they will
ousand times renew the charge, and swear
pt we do. We do not expect to silence such
IT, nut VIC appeal to all fair r-miuded citizens
70 De led astray BY the bigoted or ignorant
lug OF men who would blind them for their
r. political ends.
re- ask no favor or privilege All We ask is
pc let alone in following the dictates OF our
consciences, and you cannot refuse. this
pout undermining the Constitution, and pre-
ng the way for the loss Of the same freedom
yourselves.
meri<ans, We are willing to rally with sou
the tag and Constitution, and maintain
With our blood, as We have done hereto
But We canuot help fearing that both are
III while a large nu1nbyr OF our fellow-citi-
IN and out Of office, allow emselyfs to be
need by fanatical or self-interestef politi-
or BY lntidel or revolutionary foreigners
one to lis with the proud pretension of