National Republican., 1881-05-10
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A STATEMENT FROM THE HEBREWS.
Respectful Request that the Rules which Reeog-
nize Doctrinal Days rs Holidays Will he Con-
sdered-The Schools and Sectariaa
Influence Discussed.

brew Congregation, composed OF SIMON Noil
/ chairman, and MessrS l. L. Blout, II. Adler, Rev
! L. Stern, W. Nordlinger, L. Abraham, C. Baum II
/ L. Strasburger and y. s. Solomons, was recent!
| appointed to draw up proper and respectful
statement, and, if possible, to personally confe
with the trustees of the School Board in the matte
of holidays and the reading and singing of see
| tartan books and songs in the public schools.
I The committee say to the board: In dischargins
this duty, we desire to impress you with the fac
/ that we are actuated by no other motive orpur
pose than the welfare, prosperity, and freedom o.
the public schools. That, although appointed by
Hebrew congregation we come before you sim
ply as citizens of the United States, residents o
this District, and Taxpayers thereof. We, In com
mon with every lover of this country, look upon
system of public schools the bulwark of oul
liberty, the foundation upon which rests the per-
petuation of the Republic. The public schools
kept alive and maintained by ALL irrespective o.
/ religion race, or color,
Is NOT THE FOSTERING PLACE
OF creedS or sectS. The child of the infdel, q:
well as the child of the Strctest scctarian has ar
equal recognition, an equal standing: and whilC
we are, under the broad fegis of Constitution
permitted to believe, within the pale of oul
churches and SynagogucS, within the sacred pre-.
cinctS of homes, conscience dictates, the
recognition OF sccts in tic schools becomes bur
dtIl iIlllH'SlliOll lHc SPIN
which underlies our liberal institutions is no
properly understood, hence falsely interpreted
This is not Christian, not Jewish, not an nfide
country; the Government OF the United States is
one, made by all for ALL the laws and their con-
sequences must fall Unequal justice and definition
to do different is TO act contrary to the very spirit
which gives life and character to us as 4 Nation
No recognition of any form of religion its enets
by the constituted authority;
40 UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
These sublime sentiments and their liberal in
depreciation have given TO this people the mar
velouS prosperity and happiness they enjoy; has
made them respected and envicd by every lover o.
liberty and order throughout the world. 1t was
these sentiments that entered prominently into
every fibre and pusation of our revolutionary
fathers; and 1t was these sentiments that gave
such ringing, undying, and immortal significance
TO the matchleSs
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Therefore, while We thus recognize the elements
and principles of our Republican form of Govern
ment. hailing them with the same joy and fervoI
as our ancient people did the Land of Promise
we regret that YOU, gentlemen, men entrusted
with the most sacred Of our public benefactions
should depart from the letter, spirit and genius OF
our Constitution and laws. We will not refer at
any Iength-to the recent unjust discrimination
who desire to stay at home OH Good Friday and
Easter Monday, shall moi be counted absent" be-
cause that action is utterly unjustifiabic that
we are satisfied that ere this you have regretted it,
and repetition thereof viii not again take place.
WE RESPECTFULLY STATE:
First-That days celebrated by any sect, be they
Christian Jewish. ought to be recognized by the
School Board
Second-That ifholidays for public schools are nee,
essary and we fully concede that they they shall
he given for national, sanitary, social, intellectual
reasons, and not account Of religion its obServ
ance.
Third-That if ION a day kept sacred in the family to
which the scholar belongs the pupil is absent, let him
or her be marked absent as for any other cause, thus
avoiding even by implication the recognition of any
class rs favored; thus the child absent on Good Fri
day is marked absent; the child absent on the Day
of ofAtonement is on equal footing; any different
rule is unjust, unjuStifiabIe. and un-Amcrican.
FOurih-The reading of the Bible, whether the Old
Or New Testament, the singing OF church hymns in
the public schools is wide departure from the intent
and scope of our fathers and the further practice
thereof will surely lead the destruction of the whole
system for it practically leads 4 union of church
and State recognizes doctrine in prose and verse
that is the exclusive province of the individual and
not of the state. The reading by Christian teacher
of the New Testament, the singing of hymns songs,
wherein the Christian Saviour is exOed is intoxicating
ScCtarian dOgmaS in the minds and the innocent
neitftS OI the jewish ciUrell. line exclusive reading
Ofthe Old Testament, and the singing of Jewish songs
by Hebrew teacher. would be equally wrong and an
imposition upon the good and innocent children of our
Christian felOw-citizen. The present rule compels
the teacher OF Hebrew faith 10 become Il hypocrte.
and bars the doors against conscientious and able
teachers
Fifth-Therefore, to avoid all complications, all
dangers. we beg You TO seriously consider this our
respectful statement and reconsider any and all rules
which recognize doctrnal days holidays, which
allows the propagation of any doctrine in prose or
verse in our schools.
The Sabbath schools incident to each congrega-
tion teach doctrine and are ample and sufficient
for all spiritual wants. The public schools are
created solely for intellectual purposes, and they
cannot be too zealous!y guarded, for the mind of
the youthful scholar is easily impressed. We are
devoted friends and lovers of our country. We
cling to this land the land of our hopes and best
wishes. We desire its continued growth in every
field ofthought and science, but above all, we de-
sire it to remain socially liberal morally pure re-
ligiouSly cosmopolitan, recognizing only text
bOok-the Constitution of the United States; only
one law-the equality Of all; only one doctrine
the public schools of the UnIcd States must and
shall be kept free and IN act from sectarian inter-
ference