The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-09-24
FATHER ALFRED YOUNG ON THE SCHOOL
QUESTION:


To the Editor of the New England:
I beg to be allowed to say q few words on
YOUR late editorial headed Parochial vs. Pub
lie Schools" Putting aside for a moment the
question of the statistics adduced, would
like to put the argument of the article in proper
form, which is this: Ilteracy, pauperism and
crime sre each and all due to the system of
education adopted by country. But Patrick,
John and Michael, exies from their own coun-
try. are found, after q residence in this oopn-
try, to be illiterate, paupers and criminals |
therefore, the system of education in their |
country produces illiterates, paupers and crim. |
nails.
Now, with def ference think even Whately |
would object to that argument as very defect.
i've in it's logic. Surely, there is a hundred
other and better reasons, evident to any think
ing person, why q large number of our immi-
grant class are found illiterate and poor, or
even get arrested in New York-all of the Irish,
particularly, twice and a half times %, as your
statistics. as given by Dexter Hawkins, Esq
prove they were. l am carious to know if this
be the same gentleman who himself figured
pretty largely in the columns of the New York
Herald and other papers, few years ago, nm
der the soubrquet of Sinister Hawkins. At
any rate, object to the logic, and will have
| something to say to the fgares. This is the
way venture to argue:
That system of schools which inculcates a
higher standard of morality, which makes bet
ter citizens, and hich is the basis of purer
| Christian faith, is the better system. (Ah!
| am happy to see that but copy my ma or pro-
position from your own editorial.)
| But,-the parochial system of schools incul
Gates higher standard of morality, etc;
therefore the parochial system is the better
system Or, to put it in another form: That
system of schools which is the basis of purer
| Christian faith will incuIcate higher standard
! of morality, and make better citizens.
| Blt,-the parochal system is such basis
| therefore that system will inculcate higher
standard of morality and make better citizens.
Now, dear Mr. Editor, is it necessary for me
| to prove either of my minors to your intelli-
gent readersf think not. Schools in which
religion is, by, theory and practice ignored,
| can never pretend to lay basis of pure
Christian faith which, if well laid. would indis-
putably inculcate in the minds and hearts of
| children the highest and best lessons of moral
| ity, and make of them the best possible cit-
zens. That is just the claim of the parochial
system. Such schools are essentially religious.
Public schools are essentially secular. In the
| frst, the knowledge of God is the supreme
| science. In the latter, that science is forbid
den to be taught. Our assumption " is there
fore true, aud as conseq aence the argument
| must be conceded in our favor
Bat what of the statistics of Dexter Haw-
kins, Esq, giving reports of the Department
of Charities and Correction in our good city
| of New York; Taking for granted that his
figures are correct, the fairness of the conclu-
sons drawn from them can be judged of by
the following extract from the u. s. Census
Report for 1870, page SOS:
| "Whiie immi grants continue to arrive at our
shores by hundreds of thousands each year, it
is matter of course that some, from sickness,
from failure through Ignorance, to make proper
provision, from accidents of one sort an
other, and last, not least from the villainies of
the organized hordes of rufRans which beset
our immigrant ships, will have occasion, in a
wholly strange land, to appeal for temporary
assistance to the guardians of law appointed
over them. This is hardly pauperisnl in any
proper sense, and until the immigrant has passed
from under the control of the commissioners OF
immigration, into the condition of recognized
} and registered inmate of some asylum or aims,
house, he cannot be said to constitute one Of the
paupers Of the city or Of the State"
Now for word the subject of crime as
referrable to different systems of schools
What is the general influence of public schools
on public and private moralsf Be pleased tC
read editorial of Prof. Agassiz in the Boston
Herald of October Goth, 1871. He visited and
noted down the houses of i'll fame in the city
of Boston, and the result filed him with dis
may. He freely conversed with the inmates
and the life histories that were revealed were
sad indeed. To his utter surprise, a large pro
portion of the "soiled ones" traced their fall II
influences that met them in the public schools
aud although Boston is justly proud of III
schools, it would seem, from his story, tina
they need a thorough publication. Be pleased
9 to read the New York Herald of February Och
+ 1874, about the prevalent vice of stealing il
/ the public schools.
= Be pleased to read the report of the Society
for Moral Education,' of which Mrs. l.. Il
Chandler, of Boston, was, and may yet be, th
4 Inspiring genius, on the alarming prevalence
of intemperence and varioas frighiful socia
vices, the Increase Of pefntcioHS kRoUtedge anon
q children and youth, etc Be pleased TO peruse thu
q following from the american Educational Month
@ ty: " 1t Is we'll to remember that knowledge
@ not vrtue itself, but only the handmade o
< virtue. This is the lesson of Connecticut sta
; tistcs-a State having first class university
9 as we'll as the usual network of common schools
. in every nine and s9ven- tenths marriages Their
3 is sure to be one divorce, who make it theI
u business to procure divorces by sho wing pre-
= scrlbed forms, yet without the knowledge @
one or other of The parties"
q B pleased to read DR.. Storer's book o
a " Criminal Abortions" ard Rev. DR.. Todd
: book, " Serpents in the Doves Nest revealin
!, horrors which cannot be transcribed here. B
= why our Catholic clergy and intelligent lait
a are opposed to the public Schools is the prevt
l. lence in them of nameess immoral vices I
y which We dread to see our children exposed,
70 well as the skepticsl, irreligious spirit man
y Tested by pupils and graduates from them.
Y Finally, hear the opinions of the well-know
"a statesmen, all Protestants, on the subject
" religion in the schools
n Lord Derby. Public education should
l. considered as insepsrable from religion" TIL
1t contrary system is declared by him to be " rh
10 realization of fool b aud dangerous idea"
~ q L -,hS oh via