The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-29

roactiOnary governments during the pres
ont century, those, namely, OF CHARLES x.
and NAPOLEON III.
II the FERRY educational bin went no fur
ther than this, not only would the Catholics
DO constrained TO acknowledge Republican
legislation quite as tolerant after all as that
OF conservatives, but the injury inflicted
would be by no means irremedlable. In
such case the State would say, as IL said
under the empire and the monarchy, we can
recognize no private certificates, we set up
| UNIFORM standard, and appoint public ex-
aminers TO whom applicants from oil quar-
tiers must submit their qualifications The
Catholic colleges OF France would soon ad-
just themselves to such regulation. Many
OF them stand deservedly high on the score
OF requirement as we'll as discipline, and
their record is n voucher OF their fit
mess 10 contest academic honors in
free and open field. Some OF these
Summaries have no more reason TO dread
the application VI n public lnvariable test
than one Oxford college has 10 fear compe-
ton with another before the university au-
thoritlos Provided their educational ap-
planes were undisturbed- provided their
staff OF instructors were not curtailcd or
weakened-the Catholic institutions Of
France might have little to lose by being
placed on wholly equal footing with socu-
lar establishments. In such q situation
they held their own under the second en-
plro, and they could probably hold 1t still.
But the FERRY project savors OF persecu-
tlon, because II practically denies an equal
footing TO Catholics According 10 the
tenor Of that measure, the Board OF Ex-
amlners who will determine the proficiency
OF Catholic students will be jury in which
the Church has no representatives. This.
however, is q matter Q, minor import COM
pared 10 another provision which provoked
violent discussion, but which has lately
been reported favorably by the Committee.
This second stroke is levelled at the root OF
religious propaganda. at the educational
capacity OF the Catholic seminarles. At one
blow, II is proposed to strip these Of their
most accomplished and efficient officers by
interdictlng teaching to those non authorized
orders, among which, we need not say, the
Jesuits are most prominent. This, certainly
is q curious tribute on the part OF n Republic
can Legislature 10 the learning and ability OF
their opponents. From the point OF view OF
policy, moreover, their position is ex-
tromely questionable. They are here
assuming an attitude toward the Church
which exposes them TO the most telling
arguments drawn from presoriptive right
and from conservative example. 1t is
true the law forbiddlng Jesuits and certain
other orders to teach In France Is still I'M
repealed, but II has long been n dead letter
For many years the skilled and earnest
members OF these societies have publicly de-
voted themselves to the business OF tuition,
until they have we'll nigh monopolized the
work OF Catholic education. AS well shut
the doors at once OF a thousand dstin-
guished seminaries as 20 debar their most
respected and successful teachers from
privileges exercised without rcbuke under
the monarchy OF July, the republic OF 1913,
the second empire, and under the existing
Constitution down TO the present time.
The wisdom OF the radical leaders In this
grave discrimination against Catholic tu-
ition is clearly open TO doubt. We have
seen. within the last few years, Govern
ment far more firmly planted than is the
Republican regime in France, forced TO tenn
porize and retreat in its so-called struggle
for culture. We cannot perceive the neccs-
sity OF excluding from educational func-
tions men whose teachings were rowcrless
10 avert the revolutions Of 1s4s and 1870 and
II seems 10 us that only necessity could JUS
tifya step wi IN will subject the present
Ministers 10 the most unpleasant COMPARE
sons with preceding Cabinets, and faint the
cause OF the republic with persecution.