The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-11-10
THE CATHOLICS AND THE
SCHOOLS,

EDITOR BULLETIN: My courteous
opponent, n Protestant Layman,
came near surprising me by his let
ter IN last Tuesdays Gazette"
His feeble attempts at strength in
argument and severity in expression
were absolutely futile, inasmuch as
he failed to point out any error in
my arguments; he admits, at least,
in an indirect manner, the equity of
my claims. L know full well that
my suggestions are no legal claims.
But every unbiased mind must con-
slider them equitable according to
common-sense justice. AS the Board
of Education has rather extended
discretional power, I'rightly suppose
that this power can be exercised for
good and just purpose without an
extra law to that effect. Our Pro-
testant Layman is against any con-
cession made to Catholics-not by
dint of good reasons, for such he
cannot find, but on the rather vague
plea that concession, once granted,
would be foundation for new de-
mands. In proof thereof he cites
action of the Catholics in the United
States and points generally to both
ancient and modern history. | do
not doubt the sincerity of the writer,
nor do l deny the correctness of a
few of the facts alleged. The state
ment of most of those facts, how
ever, must appear inaccurate, as it
is but too plain that the writer was
misled by historians who, because
of their deep prejudice, themselves
viewed matters in highly colored
light. Perhaps nothing involves
greater difficulty in controversy than
a sound discussion Of historical
facts. For arguments sake, how
ever. l will not contradict (tran-
seat) the opinion of my opponent
that both Catholics and Protestants,
when in majority, have oppressed
the vanquished minority.
Contining our discussion to the
actual state of Affairs in these Is
lands, let me ask the Protestant
Layman: Would you approve of
such a practice? The polished gen.
tleman will doubtless reply, By no
means would approve of it. L am
ashamed of my own party's having
acted so. Now l ask, why do you
advise your Protestant major
ity to deny the least concession
to the poor Catholic minority !?
Would it not be more consistent
with your liberal views of the Pro-
testants of these Islands, who are
superior in number, who exercise
all the Government power, and who
are actually the treasurers of the
country's wealth, treated the Catho-
lie minority, of whom 8 out of 10
are poor, with equity and generosity
thereby helping them to have theiI
children educated according to the
dictates of their own conscience, in
stead of exerting their influence il
the direction of placing obstacles il
their way?
The Protestant Layman says hi
cannot undertake to discuss thu
doctrinal points advanced by me il
my second letter. He was never in
vited to do so, as careful perusa
of my letters will show. / have ex
pressIy excluded the discussion o
the intrinsic merits of our respective
creeds. In my second letter / mean
only to set forth the difference o
our respective doctrines regarding
the necessary conditions for saliva
tion, without attacking anybody
belief in particular. AS the Protest
ant sects have each their legal righ
of acting and of educating thei
children according to the dictates o
their conscience, l claim ~ sam
right for the Catholics. And as w
do not impose our Catholic doctrin
upon Protestant children without tn
consent of their parents, so we mus
be conscientiously concerned abou
having the Catholic children brough
up in none other but the pur
Catholic doctrine.
This we consider the most essen
tial branch of education. / wis
my Protestant friend clearly to un
derstand that we have a perfect righ
to expect from the Government off
cials, Notwithstanding their own per
sonal preferences or antipathies, i'm
partial justice towards all denomina
tions. They have not, the right o
declaring any one creed good enougI
for all. Z. Layman's quarrel is no
with the theology of the church, bu
with its ''politics. The fact is tina
the Catholic faith and its mora
principles have been the same at al
times and in all places; but l hav
never heard of any politics peculia
| to the Catholic Church, Theolog,