The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-01-09
Morality In schools.

From the N. Y. Tribune1
nood morals are the common stool
I'll sects and the basis Of federation
mDsrhans this truth has not always beer
L.r,ciently remembered during the dis
s.u.ssions now so warm and 50 frequen'
ccsus,ecting religion In schools It may
Igns,r,,iifv matters somewhat Ii we con
s S.lar lint whether the Bible Is TO be ex
n,Jed from schools or not IL Is quite
css.ssosslble 70 keep out OF them q con.
ImI1prable part Of what the Bible teaches
m,oao who I'm the ardor OF controversy
ll. .N themselves TO talk OF goddess
ssSshnols" need possibly to be reminded
a,s much at least OF the morality
1.-THE Bible Ia necessarily In
Siuded In any scheme OF educa-
s'or worthy Of the name. There are
usu"Jhably in this country few teachers,
Ehsther Catholic or Protestant, who do
vsnSsithrr directly or indirectly inculcate
~ value OF veracity, Of honesty, of
Siisi obedience, OF kindness, OF indus.
- and Of cleanliness. Probably there
mot single reading book used in
~ 81 our schools which Is not vehi-
- Of moral instruction. Children are
v,ssde 10 understand that they must not
ssii Iies. nor use profane language, nor
soht with their fellows, nor steal from
~ desks and satchcls OF their COM
comrades. No reader which did not,
sSrollrll It's selections, enforce attention
y nublIc and private duties, patriotism.
KITTY. politeness. could be pushed into
- by any amount OF advertising or
msnarement. The moral instruction OF
~ child begins with the alphabet, and
4 continued through second, third
md fourth books until school-going Is
Over.
csssrily religious, 1t clearly does not
INA IN the opposite direction. An ig-
norstt man Is more likely to be wicked,
hecsi,se be commands fewer conditions
II honest SUCCESS; for 10 Is tho useless
ihre Il demand for his doing, who
ihe scafTold or the prison. Tt Is true
INT men who have been taught TO read
nav commit murder, and that only a man
nan knows how to write can commit |
forgery: but II Is equally true that one |
va reads will be more likely to UNDER
stsnd the wickedness Of murder, and |
fhaf one who writes will probably have |
0fh6r accomplishments which should /
ave him from the temptation of actual
want. The influence OF intelligence
and eCQuircmeft Is always toward NOR
ATTY. and our whole public school sys-
tsni Il based upon a recognition OF this
irrth. II Il were otherwise Il would be
despotiCal absurdity to compel the
citizen to send his child to school, and
misrepresentation Of the public funds
70 build school houses and hire teach
an at sll (64
TIE controversy which Is at present
aGifating the country Is needlessly en-
Uttered by q confusion OF morals and
roliaon. Primarily, the business OF a
och00l II TO cultivate the intellect and
Incidentally the heart, while II under
lakes 10 furnish tho child with the tools
" the use OF which the future man can
" supported. III we add to this the
means Of harmless and refined gratiii
coton we have the whole net purport
md upsh0t OF public education. INF
nNely more than this the man, rs life
advances, will need; but this Is what ,
ne State undertakes to supply. There
pmsln the education OF the eternal
mi, the preparation for higher and
purely spiritual life, the development !
\ devout submission TO the will Of
Cd, the comprehension OF our utter ,
hs!plessness without His support and :
1idanee. the feeling of indispensable !
Cstitudc for all His mercies, and the :
eonlesstdn that In Him we live and !,
nove and have our being. These are at !,
ailments apart from the learning =
\ books. These are acquisitions
ealy 70 be secured by painful expert
noes and by honest determination.
Many men have we'll nigh passed ;,
through the valley OF the shadow. OF :,
uueah before there came to them as I
N1nces OF light and safety. Doubtless :,
. such the Bible has been an inexpreS. =
1bk support and comfort. But IL Is not !.
Mis- value IN such mortal emergency .
~ the President and press are talk =
IL Is rs code OF morals that IL Z
lust be politically discussed. What =
Nc adjustment may be made of pres 4
- dinIculties, the Bible will remain. - -
pa In the schools or not, IL will con "
a1ue TO exercise its influence upon the ;,
and, aud heart, and spirit OF mankind. VI
e continued to do i'm the Puritan col
~ when II was thought inexpedient
md It In the churches Its promises,
1nlngs, encOuragements, are In the
.!o.norfes OF the race, and can never be !.
narrated. Whatever may be the de- ~
sMloa OF the vexed question, there is Ia
~ need OF alarm. The Book has d g
h, independent OF human law, and !:
~ oe read by most men, while men ". "a