The Portland daily press., 1888-07-13
CATHOLICS AND THE SCHOOLS.
The Meeting at FaneuiI Hall Wednes-
day Night.

BosToN, July r. The meeting Wednes-
day evening in Faneuil Hall, to protest
against the action of the school board in the
Travis matter, was all that its promoters
could have desired in point of attendance
and enthusiasm. The hall was packed with
people and many were unable to gain adj
mission. All the speakers were applauded
to the echo in everything they said about
the wickedness of the Roman church and its
nefarious designs against the liberties of the
people and the interests of our public
schools Indeed, considerable share of
the time of the meeting was occupied by
shouts, cheers, applause, laughter, Kisses
and other Interruptions.
Although the ostensible subject under con-
slderatl0n was the removal of SwiLtOn'S
History and the censure of Mr.. Travis, these
topics were referred to mainly as illustra
tions OF far larger question. To all in
tents and purposes 1t was what in England
used to be called mo .popery' meeting.
On one question, which some, at least, of
those present regarded as the only question
properly before the meeting, there was
marked silence, When it was asserted over
and over that the statements in the text
book are true and that Tetzel did, some GEN.
turies ago, in Saxony, carry on disgraceful
traffic in indulgences, no one of the speakers
attempted to prove that the book truthfully
represents the actual doctrine of the Roman
Catholic church, or that Mr.. Travis defini-
tions of the doctrine as an article of belief to-
day were correct.
A conspicuous exception to the general
tone of the speaking, and a striking example
cfthe feeling of the audience, was afforded
by one part OF the address Of Rev. Philip
MOXOm and its reception. Mr.. MOxom un-
dertook to defend Rev. DR.. Duryea from the
aspersions that have been put upon him, and
declared that the doctor would stand as
firmly as any one against Jesuit encroach-
ments. But this was received with storm
of misses and loud shouts of dissent.
Rev. DIR. Miner presided. He was received
with great applause. and spoke with his
usual earnestness. He began, after a few
opening words, to discuss the question of
the Textbook. In his opinion even Mr.. Met
calf did not fasten his complaints ON the
book; and in condemning a book which
states the truth the school board either con-
fessed that they were ashamed of the truth
or they blundered. Let us not imagine for
moment that we can eliminate from our
histories everything that is unpleasant.
AT the conclusion of DR.. Miners address,
he called upon Mr.. Bruce, pupil of the
High School. to read some resolutions.
These resolutions were read amid great ap-
plause, and their purport was In severe ar
raignment of the action of the board and
urging all friends of free schools and free
institutions to rally to their defence.
President Townsend of Boston University
said that something decisive must be not
Uuly ItoUlNtu anu Sdlu, DuL uUut. we are
not here, said President Townsend, to dis
cuss the merits or demerits of Mr.. Travis,
although | believe he is worthy of our ut
most confidence But it is the attempt of
the Jesuits to control our school system
which brings us here. The Jesuitca theory
of education is that it shall be, under the
control Of the Roman Catholic church. The
Jesuit will continue to stab the public school
whenever an opportunity presents itself.
But the Protestants have decided to endure
these stabs no longer. [Applause.J DIR.
Townsend quoted from the oath said to be
taken by Jesuits, and asked the question,
IF such man should not be deprived of
the rights of citizenship, who should be?"
DIR. Townsend quoted from the Catholic Re-
view, Freeman'S Journal and other Catholic
journals to show that the church is opposed
to free schools.
Further quotations were made from vari-
GUS priests and bishops to the same effect.
That is Jesuitism, said the speaker, and Jes-
ultism controls the Roman Catholic church
of the United States.
He next declared that by the eompromis-
ing acts Of the school board every teacher is
intmidated. Who will say that the time is
not ripe for calling this meeting? Men who
have come so lately from Europe that they
are not clean from its ditchwater, presume
to dictate to us in regard to our public
schools. It's enough to make the blood of
every American boil. Ii the present school
committee refuses, to place the school book
back, let men be chosen who will do it. WHY
may not both parties unite in this? TGreat
cheering. Why should not all loyal citizens
unite in resolving that Jesuits and men
dominated by them shall never hold any civil
office in this country again, and that if they
don't behave themselves they shall be ban
lshed from the country, never to return?
Great applause.
Rev. J. M. Gray said you have cheered
the name of Mr.. Travis and others. | am