The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-08-25

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CINCINNATI.
From the Catholic Telegraph
For years the attitude OF the Catholi,
Church toward the public schools has beer
either knowingly or ignorantly misrepre.
sented. by the press and the forum. i'm thu
halls of legislation. and in the pulpits OF Pro.
testantism, the Catholic Church has been
falsely and foully accused OF designing the
destruction Of the common school system
With the faint hope ~ making our voice
heard above the loud din Of SANDER which
meets us on every side when the school
question IL discussed, we beg leave TO state
categorically the position OF the Catholic
Church in relation to the common schools:
DECLARATION 10 THE PEOPLE OF THE
UNITED STATES.
Enemies OF the Catholic Church assert that
the bishops and clergy OF the Catholic Church
are hostile TO the public schools Of the coun-
try and are leagued together 20 destroy
them. Americans, read our declaration and
learn our true sentiments:
/. The Catholic Bishops and clergy have
no intention whatever 10 interfere with your
public school system. Build as many schools
as you wish; we will never say word
against Il, and we will leave 10 Yourselves
the care Of your children.
.. You wish YOUR schools TO be free from
all religious influence: in other words, YOU
wish them not TO be sectional or sectarian in
Church says in this regard: DO with your
children a. you please.
2. We Catholics. on the other hand are
under the conviction that children are sent
10 school not only TO be formed into citizens.
but also, and especially, 10 be educated into
good men and good Christians, ana our
Church believes. In all earnest, with Gui-
got, the celebrated Protestant statesman of
France, that education can by no means be
separated from religious influence. There
fore, while leaving your schools and their
management peacefully in your own hands,
we claim the right OF having schools OF our
own, from which religion shall not be ex.
cluded, hut be allowed TO exercise It's salu-
tary Influence on our youth.
4. We claim the right on the plea that we
are religious body i'm this free country.
whose Constitution most solemnly glIaran-
tees the free exercise 81 religious belief TO
all its citizens. and the fullest personal free
dom in regard 10 the dictates OF conscience.
Now, there Is not a more essential or a more
precious liberty than that OF parents TO edu-
cate their children in the manner in which
they think will make them happy for time
and for eternity. Therefore. the Catholic
people, with logical sequence, claim the pro-
lection of the Government so rs not 10 be
mOlested In their schools
.. We saw protection. No doubt Justice
and equality would entitle the Catholic peo-
pie OF this country 20 exemption from taxa
share of the public school fund in proper
ton to the number OF pupils i'm their schools.
But even this claim we are disposed TO waive
in your favor.
q. You can have no reason 10 fear the ef- |
feet OF our system on the Commonwealth, /
because experience has proved that the /
students OF our colleges, academies and /
schools are as good and a. useful citizens as
those who come out OF your institutions
And IL in every other branch Of human ac-
ton you admit the principle OF COMPETE /
tion, and believe in its beneficial influence,
why should YOU exclude u from education.
and deprive yourselves Of the benefit which I
emulation would producer
4. We fear that Notwithstanding this sim
cere, precise and solemn declaration. there .
will vet be found fanatical men and political .
speakers who will endeayor 10 excite their .
hearers by asserting the imaginary oppose
tion Of the Catholic clergy TO the public
schools OF the country. 10 l. one OF the
OF this world that IL
can not get rid Of men who.
like Don QuiNote, are perpetually fighting
against wind mills under the plea OF immi-
nent dangers To their fellow-men. Such
men do not wish 20 know the truth, and,
though We repeat IL n thousand times that
we do not oppose their schools any more
than we adore images, or trust more in the
blessed VIRGIN than In the merits OF Christ,
they Will a thousand times renew the CHARGE
v
silence such men; but we appeal 90 all fair.
minded citizens not 10 be led astray 10y the
bigoted or ignorant ranting Of men who
would blind them for their own political
ends.
We ssk no favor or privilege. All we ask
IS TO be let alone in following the dictates OF
our own conscience, and YOU can not refuse
This without undermining the Constitution
ana preparing the way for the loss OF the
same freedom for yourselves.
Americans, we are willing to rally with
you under the flag and Constitution and
maintain them with our blood, as we have
lone heretofore. But we can not help fear
ne that both are In peril while large num-
Der OF our fellow-citizens, in and out Of
lince, allow themselves To be influenced bv
anatical or self-interested politicians, or bv I
nhdel aud revolutionary foreigners who
'ome TO a. with the proud Pretension 81
eachlng US what Republican Govern /
nent j. about which they know moth. :
ng themselves. All we ask is that you will .
lotFo TO such men TO learn what we aim ,
u, what arc our sentiments. Give US a fair
hearing, and receive this declaration as the
sincere expression Of our true principles,
which we make before God and men, actu- ;
yea by no other motive than our desire for \
ne welfare and progress and perpetuity OF !
,ur country, such as the fathers Of 20 made
!, and intended that II should remain.
our sincere friend and lover Of the Amer [
can republic, JOHN B. PURCELL, I
Archbishop Of Cincinnati. :