The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-10
Secular Education in France.

Secular Education in France.
Much more iar-rcaching i'm it's conse-
qucnccs than any political question Of am
mostly or impeachment is the educational
change now mooted in the French Assem-
bly,. This deserves attention, not only be-
cause it marks the attitude of conflict taken
by the Republican leaders toward the Cath
! Ollie Church, but because it illustrates tho
spirit of intolerance displayed toward re-
ligious instruction by continental demo-
Gratis i'm general. No party in the United
States would venture to deny to scctarian
institution the right OF comforting degrees,
although degrees. arc not with us, as they
are in France, the Indispensable conditions
Of practice in the liberal professions.
Let us suppose that no citizen OF the
United States was allowed to engage in the
legal or medical vocation, or to hold any
post in the state or Federal magistracy,
unless, in addition TO the specific acquire
mcnts, no had received a degree of bachelor
Of arts. What should we think of q law
which refused the privilege Of issuing such
a certificate to Harvard University because
it happened to be controlled by Unitarians;
10 Trinity College, Hartford, because 1t
CHANGED to be an Epscopalian institution;
to Brown University because from the start
it has remained in the hands OF Baptsts; or
TO St Johns College, Fordham, because the
latter Is conducted by Roman Catholics
And would such a course appear more, or
rather less equitable, because the establish
ments debarred were Differed by the adj
herents Of faith professed by iive-sixths OF
our whole population? And what If to this
disqualification for the function OF the
higher education were TO he Joined sweep
ing exclusion Of the most competent and
Jealous disciples Of the prevailing religion
from the whole sphere of intermediate and
even OF elementary instruction?
With our prccedents and traditions we
can scarcely conceive OF such a measure be-
ing enforced in u country calling itself re-
publican. Just this, however, is contem-
plated by the bills introduced by JULES
FERRY the Minister OF Public Instruction,
and known 10 be certain of approval by the
committees to which they have been re-
ferred
II is true that the projected law does not
disqualify from teaching members OF all re-
ligiOus communities, but only those at
tached to societies not authorized by law.
This clause Is specially aimed at the Jcsu-
its, who, since the inception Of their order,
have been the most vigorous and efficient
promoters Of Catholic education. Nor
should it be overlooked that, although their
community is not legally recognized, the
prohibitivc law has long been n dead letter.
and Institutions controlled by its members
have for some years enjoyed the right Of
bestowing degrees. At the present time the
Jesuts have in France not less than "a col
lcges employing sls teachers. The disa-
bility proposed by NJ. FERRYs bill will
affect other so-callcd non-authorized COM
munities. controlling not less than G1 coll
legiatc establishments, with upward Of
thousand instructors. Such is the vast
amount OF tuitional machinery which the
dominant party in the French Assembly
now means TO discredit and discard within
the province Of the higher education alone.
1t is not alleged that the institutions man
aged by these Catholic professors are not
entirely competent as Instruments of tech
nical instruction. The sole objection to
them is the religious convictions OF their
officers. and the earnestness with which
these are inculcated. Whether this is ground
for imposing disability, is n question on
which public opinion would differ widely in
France and the United States, But aside
from the abstract justice OF such measure,
it seems 20 involve serious Interference
with vested rights, seeing that sites have
been purchased and buildings erected ON the
strength OF the long-cstablshed liberty OF
education. Would not such law be essen
TALLY reactionary in its spirit. and betray
the same leaning toarbtrary and tyrannical
methods which has been justly imputed to
the opponents Of the Republican majority?
We cannot but think that, however illogical
may be the position Of the non-authorized
communities, which clearly ought to be Tor
hidden altogether or else admitted to full
civil rights, the present attempt TO dis
qualiiya large number OF the most useful
instructors Of youth in France has too much
the look Of persecution, and resembles too
closely BIsMARCK's blunder Of the CultuT-