Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-03-31


Of an alliance with the opponents OF the common
school system, and nothing is more natural than to
suppose that their allies will claim advantage
also, In the line OF their leading object Hence IL oc-
Cured 10 the Democratic platform builders that they
must protest against what seemed natural eonsc-
quence
1t was as much as to say to the people rof Ohio:
,Hentlemen, please not TO give heed to appearances.
We know and you know that the Catholic clergy have
no political objects except to control the education of
the Catholic children in their own parochial schools,
and secure the Catholic people against for
the support OF the public schools Their roi-
giOn Is their only politics. They care little for any
OF he dstnctye principles OF either party, but tho
subject q" the common schools they Jealous and
nervous. They think they arc wronged because the
Catholics have to pay taxes and yet permitted
70 ENJOY the public schools with such religious nstruc-
tons as make them acceptable to the Catholic clergy.
IL Is therefore, their only object ia mngling In poi-
ucs TO secure change in their relations to the
non schools hy which they can either get entrance
with their religious teaching into the schools or get
out Of the school fund share proportioned to the
number OF Catholic children, or escape taxation for
schools by destroying them. Now as this is the Iead-
ing, II not the only object which the Catholic clergy
have now in politics. and as we have been and are In
alliance with them politically IL seemed necessary
that we shoold explain that true to the common
schools HeUCrihekcSS."
DEMOCRATIC POSITION SUSPICIOUS
Now ellowctizens Il is not difficult to see that the
Democratic situation in relation the Catholic clergy
required considerable explanation. But still the
question recurs whether these protesting Democrats
can be trusted with so great an interest while in
prOhtable alliance with the only opponents that in
teTest has in America.
ther relation 10 the Catholic opponents Of the schools
Is suspicious and calls for explanation and proesp-
uon. otherwise, why do they make such plank
when they reproach the Republicans for doing the
same thing, as insulting to the people Of Ohio? They
seem to have felt no apprehension that the Democratic
plank would come under the same condemnation, 1t
Is for the people of Ohio to say whether these pro-
testatiOns be relied upon trusted under the cir.
doubt.
No mother ever cherished her only child with more
Jealous care than free republic chershes ought 10
nf nfpn
its common schOOsa1d however slight the possibility
OF danger, it will be avoided with something like the
dread win winch we approach precpce, though we
10 not propose TO plunge over it.
The people of Ohio can not afford to intrust its pre-
clouS common school system to confedcracy, of
which at least one member has no other interest in
politics than to overthrow to make IL subseryien
TO ecclesiastical purposes
Now, gentlemen, do not intend to assert that the
Democracy would be induced to sacrifice the schools
or that the result OF the conicderacy between it and
the Catholic hierarchy will be the overthrow of The
school system. have too much faith in the common
sense OF the people, and Of the Democratic people
outside OF the Catholic clergy, to that Never
theless, why should we not lutrust the destnIes OF
the schools TO party composed wholly Of their natu-
raj friends? This IS point which the Ameri-
can people are not disposed to any risk whatever
II can not be doubted that the Catholic clergy hope
for some aid from the Democratic party in the cause
which they have most at heart; l trust that they
VIII be disappointed. l wish them harm; Dut
trust they may be forever disappointed in any hope
they may entertain against the perpeiuatiOn and ef
cheney OF the common schools.
".
Feow-citzens you will observe that | make a
broad distinction between the Catholic clergy and the
Catholic laity Many Of the latter take deep inter-
est in the common schools, and believe, would be
glad to unite with citizens in the support and i'm
the enjoyment of them. Many of them send their
children the public schools aud themselves became
Jealous and useful Trustees in the management of
them.
When the contest arose in Cincinnati in relation to
the reading of the Bible and singing of hymns as an
opening exercise OF the schools thev were anxious 10
have the new rule adopted, as doubt not for the
purpose OF making the schools unObjectionable for
their children and with the expectation of sending
their children to the common schools. But when at
last the Judgment of the Court had secured the object
Tor which they had so long cOutended another Ges-
ton arose, which it is probable bad been fully |
considered by the Catholic laty,i but which was not
overlooked by the clergy. The clergy were not vet
satisfied with the common schools as places for ibe |
education OF Catholic children, and regarded them as
not snfhcently religious do not believe that the |
Catholic laity would object to the schools Cncin-
natl as they are but Tor the influence OF the priest
hood.
The theory of the Catholic clergy is that no schools
,an be satisfactory to them which do not permit the
u instruction Of Catholic children in the Catholic
aith, so that they may be well indoctrnated with
helr religious opinions at the same time they
luirng secular knowledge and discipline il not the
ame instructors. Their only way to secure this OBJ
ect of the school fund is 10 have it divided: and
hey do not yet why this can not be done. They
oppose the common schools therefore, even when re-
ieved OF all sectarian teaching, in the hope of ar
by which they can have the teaching of |
catholic children under the care of Catholic reg-
Gus teachers, in schools supported by the |
CHOOl luuu MulCu Is EaSeu taxes leNleu upon ALL |
that the Catholics be relieved of the school tax
And they think they propose fairly when they pro-
pose that all other denominations shall have the same
privilege. Ihey think their position is logical and
ust, and adhere to it., through good report and |
through evil report with characteristic perseyer-
which belongs to the history Oi the Catholic HE
archy.
t WAS RIGHT TO sEcULARTzE THE! SCHOOLS IN GIN
CINNATI
Now, / thought that when they and the Jews asked
have common schools secularized in order that their
children might he Taunht WI thav dad
eligous error, should yield to their demand This
las now been done in Cincinnati, where the question
In the great majority of schools I presume that It
vas not and IS not now practical question at ALL as
mere are not persons oDlecting to such religious
ervices as may be in use, aud presume that in per-
laps still more neghborhoods where all are subsan-
tally OF one faith, no religious services have been
In Cincinnati, where the Catholic churches and all
hadGs OF Protestant churches are strong and where
IlsO the nUHifdaaS, as they were called in the dis,
,uSsions on the Bible question: also numerous the
rule established by the Board of Education with the |
a1ction OF the Supreme Court, was unquestionably |
ight and leaves the schools and the school fund in the
ecurest possible position.
y CATHOLIC CLERGY HAD ACCEPTED SECULAR EDUCA-
TIoN THE CONTEST WOULD HAVE ENDED.
If the Catholic clergy well laity had been con-
ent to enjoy the secular education OF the schools and
i've their religious instructions in the family and in
heir churches the controversy would be ended; hap
lily ended.
But the Catholic clergy are not vet prepared for this
hey have, in other countries, Tor many ages had
upervision of the secular well religious education
the young, and they claim it here. In this, think
hey are mistaken and that strong and well organ
zed as the Catholic clergy are they attempting an
npossibility. They have faith in the divinity of
heir Church. But they will have to learn in
america that there is divinity in the Republic
5 impGegnabe and more potent than that which any
hurch organizations can bring against it. They
houd reconcile themselves to the ground they have
chieved-that Of equality and justice as between all
hurches. To attempt more, and insist on division |
the school fund.- or destruction OF the system, will
ccomplish no good, and will as il is doing excite
he most powerful and inhexible opposition 10 them
nd to any party which shall deude them with its
rohered friendship. This l say in no spirit of per-
onal hostility TO the Catholic clergy. do regard
lem as other than honest religious men, SEEK
ng what they suppose they not entitled to. am
OF OF their taih but am not disposed to persecute
r mRlign them. But, in my Judgment, all
ttempts to secure the division of the school fund
r the introduction of religious teaching into the
chools, in the interest OF any church. are vain and
INJURIOUS, and ought 10 be abandoned, l regard such
ttempis In This country as arising from a mscon-
option of our institutions. OF need not say
hat, with my conviction Of duty, should be inhex-
ly opposed to any and all such attempts. / regret
his mistake OF our Catholic clergy, not much that
believe there is any prospect OF the of their
forts as that It engenders unnecessary bitterness
nd awakens very great apprehensions the part OF
thousands who fear their power in this direction far
lore than do. l do not suppose that the Catholic
A,yfna L.,