New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-03
Nh. LUsHER AND THE CONSTITUTION

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Nh. LUsHER AND THE CONSTITUTION
Mr.. Lusher, who has lately reappeared
before the public as q candidate for Su.
perintendent of Public Education on the
Democratic ticket, and who is Jealous
applicant for that Office, responds in the
Democrat to thoughts advanced by colA
respondent of the REPUBLICAN. The gen.
tleman complains that our correspondent
"persistently invades the private sane
tuary of candidates religious faith. :"
Mr.. Lusher exposes what may be sup
posed to be the private sanctuary of his
faith by assuring the public that he sis
not member of the Roman Catholic
Church" We hope that he is not heath
en-, and that he is . member in good
standing Of the Methodist, Baptist or
some other branch of the Protestant
faith. Mr.. Lusher should know that
the Republican party is not at war
with the Catholic Church; it can not be
while so many Union defenders, from
General Sheridan down, and 80 many
prominent Republicans in this and other
States are Catholics. We are obliged to
differ with the Catholic policy only as re-
CARDS the public school question; Demo-
Gratis, who are Protestants, and who favor
free and public education, agree with us
in our opposition to the school policy of
the church. The Catholic Church de-
sires division of school tax; it wants its
proportion of school funds to be used for
the exclusive support Of Catholic schools.
The question is an open one, and it has
been fully discussed in Ohio and New
York. While the division of the school
fund, on religious pretext, might be
beneficial to the Catholic Church,
it would, in our opinion, work great
injury to the efficiency of our public
schools. Suppose the Methodists or
Presbyterians, having as much right,
were to demand q division of the
school tax for the purpose of setting
up UNCONVENTIONAL schools. In that case
we should be compelled to oppose the
Methodists and Presbyterians as much as |
we oppose the Catholic school policy, and |
no more. The Republican party is a
party of progress, based upon principles
broader than a church vestry and wider
than the mind of class leader. The best
use that can be made with public money
is to provide for the education of the chill
dren of all colors, races and classes. The
wisest law is that which makes the child
less rich man educate the poor mans
child. Our public school system meets
The requirements of common education
better than any other plan which has been
'ried. Wealthy parents may send their
children to private schools; the poor and
,onest hard working men and women,
White or black, depend upon the public
chools for the education of their children,
nd they must not be disappointed.
Our correspondent claims that Mr..
usher is lay member of the Jesuit or
Ter. 1t is apparent he is mistaken, since
lr Lusher denies being "member of
be Roman Catholic Church" His de.
ial is in italics, and therefore emphatic.
'ut MIR. Lusher does not say that he OPP
oses the Catholic Church policy on the
ublic school question. Instead of de-
ming his views SC clearly that all school
oys who run may read, he becomes cross
nd scolds about the invasion of the pri-
ate sanctuary of his religious faith. He ,
lys he is no lay Jesuit and no Catholic,
ut at the same time he intimates that it
nobody's business what he is. He says
lie allegations of our correspondent are
9th impertinent and unconstitutional,
The constitution of the United States ex- I
ressiy forbids any prohibition of the free
kercise of ones religion, and also wisely
ID explicitly prescribes that mo religious e
st snail ever be required as qualification p
any office or public trust u,ader any State, q
Unconstitutional" is not good; and in
lis connection it is proper to remark Of
at the man who aspires to be Superin- "
ndent OF Public Education is probably it
ore ignorant than wicked when he mis- st
Totes the sacred constitution of the ~
nited States to meet his case. Section ii
rec of article sixteen of the constitution vi
the United States reads as follows: &c
The Senators and Representatives be-
70 mentioned, and the members of the y,
Veral State Legislatures, and all execu W
e and judicial officers, both of the United &C
ties and of the several States, shall be
und by oath, or affirmation, to support re-
3 constisution; but NO religious test shall GO
Dr. be required - . qualification to any Dc
ice or public trust under tie United States. On
so far as the constitution Of the United =. 20
ties is concerned, Mr.. Lusher might as
n