New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-25
well, to give its full confidence to the Repub-
SCHOOLM1STERS AND RELIGION.

The schoolmaster's religious duties are, the
world over, the most troublesome III theory
and practice If he opens h' mouth there is
the risk of his Hg either too much or not
enough, and if he keeps it closed the school
falls under the reprOach of utter godessness.
Bcset with difficulties as the question has been
in Protestant countries like the United States
and England, or in Protestant and Catholic
country like Prussia, it is rendered even more
complex in France, where no common ground
is to be found in undenOmnationa teaching.
The religious instruction which the Clericals
would have is dreaded by the mass of Repub-
leans as anti-republican in its tendencies.
The religious instruction which the Republic
cans would have is secuted by the. Clcricas as
rank atheism. Here is a gulf which can only
be hlidgcd over artfcially.
jules Ferry has undertaken to do this by
substituting for religious teaching in the schools
something that is at once moral and ci, ic.
In the Elementary Education act which has
passed the lower House, teachers are required
to be laymcn, and education is made cOmpu
sorry. These two principles have been ac-
ccptcd by the Senate A third which the
Premier regards as a logical corolary to the
other two, has been rejected. This is the
direct prohibition of religious instruction. He
any religious influence over their schools OF
common morality he would have something.
but would draw the line sharply between
ethics and theology. He takes the ccricalS al
their word when they say that religion can
only bo taught by the clergy. every WELL"
he says, in effect elf these laymcn cannot be
trusted to teach a Christianity which YOU and
the clergy viii accept as Catholic orthodoxy
let lis close their mouths. Let lis not permit
them to NEEDLE with the catcchism or to say
any thing about religion. Let them m0raliZc Il
little and stop there" The Clcriclls would not
listen to this compromise. Some Of them
contended that morality, like religion,
must be taught by the clergy alone,
and others pressed for strict definition
of the ethical and civic instruction which
was to be given to their children as
it Rants or IIcrbcrt Spcnccr'S :" they de-
mandcd forcely. 1--WE shall tell 1hcm,n he
replied, ito honor their parcnts love their
country and do rs ihcy would be done by
Here he was interrupted by an exclamation
that he was repeating II divine commandment.
The Premier, no wise Disconnected, rcioncd
that that was no proof that it was not that
common morality Of duty which could be
taught without reference to dogma or defini-
ton, or the formulas Of positive religion. The
duties of common humanity, III word, are
based on common experience, and need not be
taught on religious grounds.
At this point Jules Simon, who seems bent
upon rcganing his political influence by carry
ing the Left Centre over to the Right when
ever it suits his convenience. moved an
amendment substituting for "moral and civic
Instruction. the words "mastcrs should teach
their pupils their duties toward God and
toward their country" The Premier objected
to the phrase ON the score of Indebtedness
rs duties toward the God of the Chris
tanS might differ materially from those
toward Spnozas or Mathematics God
jules Simon rctOrtcd that If philosophers
| reached the level of Christian morality il
was because God did not allow primordal
truths TO bc overturned even by the efforts of
genius Morality nothing if not religious
and philosophy itself and the world at large
rested on the existence of "A God With ,lit-
tcring gencralitcs like these the orator carried
everything before him. The Clcricas withdrew
their own phrase, "rcligious morality,r and
adopted the new amendment with the aid of
the Left Centre. The lay teachers were thereby
directed to teach their pupils their duty to
God and Mani result for which the Catholic
clergy will not be grateful to the Rght and its
new allies. Religious instruction was rendered
oplISdtoIt ana not discretionary. An amend
mcnt based on English experience and proyid-
lng that children SHOULD not receive such teach
ing against the wishes of their parents was
voted down.
The result is II very curious one. The Clcr-
icals, who have looked upon the Elementary
Education act as the elimination of "A series
OF plots against the church and the Clergy.
have done what they could to make the school
"A nd tpui,l 10 IA.
Assembly accepts the amendment the Law
teachers will be on theOo gical ground If
amy of them happen to he atheists or material
lists, they may find it inconvonicnt To teach
what they do not believe. We have however,
the French Prcmers word for il that the main
body OF teachers fairly represent the Nation in
being thcistic i'll belief, and this fact is n
stronger guarantee against goddess teaching
than any cunningly devised phrase in the text
of the law.
THE ATLANTA FAM.
The Intern ational Cotton Exposition which