The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-28
New York, December, 1855.

New York, December, 1855.
The Evangelical Alliance for the United States
10 the American people, Danger 10 the public
schools, the school fluid, and religious freedom.
This alliance, the chief object Of which
Is the promotion OF religious freedom, asks
your earnest attention 10 the dangers which
at this time threaten the public school sys-
TEN OF the States, which, with its historic
memories and marvellous results, its Amer
lean training. Christian morals and har-
monizng influence, is rightfully cherished
ms a chief bulwark OF our civil and religious
liberty and Of the purity and integrity OF
Republican institutions.
Common schools alone can guard the
nation from the illitemcy which now to
millions OF Americans makes the Bible n
sealed book, and when dsmaved at the
ignorance and superstition brought TO US
from foreign lands we thank God as we re-
member how much OF truth there il in the
remark that children OF all nations OF the
earth go into our common schools and
come out Americans.
That bulwark IL now nssailed along the
line Of States by insidious methods and
immoral political deals, in which Amcri.
can principles aud rights are bartered for
foreign votes There IL an organized and
persistent attempt, under foreign leader.
ship, and occasionally under the mask Of
devotion 20 liberty OF conscience and free
dom OF worship, 10 subject the infant
wards OF the State TO proscly tzng inllu-
enccs and discipline; 10 prevent by spirit
ual threats and other undue influence tho
attendance Of children ut the public
schools, and 10 pervert 10 scctarian pur-
poses the school fund.
Bills TO this end are being introduced into
the State Legislatures with titles that give
no warningof their intent, aud which recall
the surrcptitious passage in the New York
Legislature Chapter 353, Laws OF 1879 Of
an act 10 amend an act incorporating the
Sistcrhood OF Gray Nuns, intended 10
destroy at blow the broad, unscclaran
character OF the common schools, aud TO
enable persons trained in the semnares
of the Gray Nuns, and furnished with
their diplomas, TO be declared qualified
teachers OF the common schools Of the
State.
The lesson taught by the passage Of that
law-which nj the demand OF an indignant
public opinion was promptly repealed 10y
the next Legislature the aims and
methods OF our opponents, iustiiics the ut
most WnichiuncSs, aud distinct reminder
10 your State Senators aud Asscmblymcn
10 guard with slecpless vigilance the COM
mon schools, the school funds, aud the
constitutional right Of all children in
America, whether native or Of foreign
birth, TO enjoy the advantages and the
American training which the schools are
intended To secure.
The Committee on Legislative Action Of
this Alliance have from year 10 year OPP
posed succession OF bills ia tho New
York Legislature which disreimrdcd the
cherished American doctrine of mo con.
ncction between church and State, " vip-
lated the constitutional guarantee Of re-
ligious freedom, facilitated the subsection
OF wards Of the state TO the agents OF u
foreign polcniale, and aimed at the control
OF the school fund.
Similar bills ~ the committee reports,
have been introduced In the Legislatures
Of Maine, Rhode Island, PENNSYLVANIA aud
other States, aud at it, last session two bills
OF u similar character Wcre presented III
the Legislature at Albany.
Your Representatives should also b,
called upon 20 take instant steps toward
the repeal Of every provision which ma,
have been introduced into acts Tor IN,
commitment OF children. or into those fol
the support ui pr0icctuncs, which dircctl,
or hy Implication authorize the commit
mcnt Of children, d. idle tfuant. homeless
or juvenile delinquchts 10 institution
which airs distinctly dcnominaiionnl o
scc,aran; and where the child, while
ward Of the State. IA Withdrawn irum thi
supervision and guardianship oi the State
deprived OF the American education Il