St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-28
The Capei School System.

VIZ
In your yesterdays issue you do me the
honor to devote leader to certain state
ments made by me a few days ago at the
Teachers National convention at Madison.
From the tone OF your article l realize that
you wish to be fair. But as you mistake the
Catholic position, it is clear, justice is not
given US, and l therefore venture to tres
pass on your space. The grave importance
OF the question at issue will l trust Justify
my request
The public school system OF America may
without the least exaggeraMon claim to be
equal if not superior to that Of all the coun-
tries of Europe, SO far as buildings, furni-
ture, books, material, and methods Of i'm
parting instruction are concerned.
But the public school system of America
processes to undertake only the physical and
intellectual training of children. This seems
to satisfy large proportion of the people Of
the United States. But many others do not,
and can not accept such a system as in any
sense sufficient. Among these are more es-
pecially Catholics.
They assert man is to be trained to be a
good citizen of earth, and good citizen of
heaven. Consequently say they to merely
train mans body and his intellect, excel
lently as are these, they do not constitute
the education of the whole man. Over and
will or heart to fit him to be truthful, honest,
pure, charitable, laborious, courteous, and a
supporter of the ills of life.
TO complete this three things are neces-
sary: The first, careful, system attic, relig
ious instruction; the second, the use of Gods
appointed means (sacraments and prayer
for forming the virtuous man; and third,
the continued repetition of acts of goodness
to destroy moral weakness and set up habits
of virtue. This is what is called moral ed
ucation; for which Catholics, and right
minded men Of all nations are contending
as necessary element In the education of
the people.
Lord Salisbury, the leader of the Conser-
vatives, in England, Protestant himself,
very lately said when presiding at
the meeting of the National Educa-
tional society, Of England, distinctive
religious teaching is essential to the educa-
ton of the young. That is principle which
at one time 1t would nothave been necessary
to enforce, but in these days with apparent
and powerful opponents against our efforts,
we must maintain 1t unfinchingly and carry
it forward until we bear 1t to victory. There
is scarcely any subject which 30 deeply
moves populations or which presents 80 for
midable problem for governments to solve
as the question of religious education. X X
1t is an essential part of education, that re-
ligion in its entirety, religion as a matter of
dogma, as well as matter of morals
should be taught to the young"
These words of the veteran statesman,
Protestant do but express what Catholics are
insisting on. AS far as the public schools
go, they are good; but they afford no sound
moral training for the children of those who
labor from morning till night. Those who
are content with such truncated education
will still use the public system. Those who
are not, will build schools and introduce re-
ligious moral training.
1t is but just that if in this second cate
CORY of schools, which are daily increasing,
the physical and intellectual instruction be
on par with that given in the public schools,
then In common justice should such schools
receive quota of the taxes levied for educa-
tional purposes. Thus, while liberty OF in
struction would be second, peace and har-
mony would be upheld among citizens, and
by system of examination, the state could
be assured of the solidity of the education
given.
Many evidences might be adduced to show
on-Catholics do not repose entire confidence
in the public school system. / mention one
only. There Is not convent In the United
States wherein non-Cathoic girls are not to
be found; sometimes they form a large pro-
portion of the scholars. Parents place them
there for this very moral education.
You will see then, l am not contending
that the Catholic religion should be taught in
the public schools, but that Catholic schools,
and schools Of religious denominations,
which give the same standard of instruction
as the public schools should be recognized
by the state and receive the same assistance
| am Sir, your obedient servant, a
L. j. CAPEL.
T,,Ir Matronol;f,n uota1