Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-01-25
THE BLAIR AMENDMENT.

EDITOR JoURNAL-Dedr Sir Il send
you copy of the "Blair Amendment
BILL" OF its history allow me to present
a few facts. 1t is the offspring oil that
American "birth right, the right OF Peti-
tion," asserted by large and patriotic
body OF American citizens, chiefly OF the
cities of Boston, Philadel phia. New York,
and generally throughout the New Eng
land States. 1t embodies the thought Of
the petitioners as well as the conviction OF
its author. Senator Blairs sturdy Ameri-
canism is too widely known to leave the
impression that such a measure was not
urgently called for TO meet the demands OF
the times, and relieve the pressure that
threatens ultimately TO overthrow system
that taxed to the utmost the wisdom and
patriotism of the founders and was regarded
by them as a solution Of The problem of
republican government.
The bill was introduced into the U. S.
Senate in the form OF joint resolution on
the 25th, of May, 1888, and was read twice
and ordered to lie on the table. On the
goth Dec. Senator Hoar, OF Mass., presen-
ted petition signed by 322S citizens oi
Boston, sold Fanueil Hall" had been
again "rocked" and the echo this time
was, "Save the American School, the
palladium Of our liberty" Upon the read.
ing OF the petition Senator Blair asked
that It be printed as portion of his re-
marks, which was concurred in by the
Senate. Then in short speech which
he prepared with the petition he tet forth
the claims of his Educational Amend
ment," and ut its close asked that il might
be referred to the Committee OF Eiuca-
ton and Labor" of which lie ID himself
The chairman, which was agreed 10.
This, in brief, is the history Of this
measure whose leading features are desin-
ed TO play an importan: part in the polti-
cal history Of the near future. The text Of
the bill reads rs follows:
Reso,ued- BY the Senate and House OF
Representatives Of the United States OF
America, in Congress assembled two
| thiids OF each House cohcurring therein
| That the following amendment to the Con
stiiulion OF the United States he, and here
by is, proposed to the States, TO become
valid when ratified by the legislatures OF
the States as provided in the constitution
ARTICLE.
SECTION l.-No State shall ever make
or maintain any law respecting an estab-
lishment OF religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof.
SEC. 2.-Eauh Stale in this Union shall
establish and malntrin a system Of free
public schools adequate for the education
Of all the children living therein, between
the ages of six and sixteen years, inclusive
IN the common branches Of knowledge
aud in virtue, morality. aud the principles
Of the Christian religion. But no money
raised by taxation imposed Ivy law, or any
money or other property or credit belong
ing TO any municipal organization, or Il
any State, or TO the United States, shal
ever be appropriated, applied, or given u
the use or purpose ol any school, instilu-
lion, corporation or per.on, whereby in
slruclion or training shall be given in th'
doctrines, ienels, belief, ceremonialS, o.
obserysnces peculiar ~ any sect, demon
ination, organic ,iion, or society, being, o
claiming to he, religious in its character
nor shall such peculiar doctrines, iene;s
belief, ceremorisls or observances b
taught or inculcaied in the free publi
schools.
SEC. $40 the sud that each State, III
United States, ana all the people thereof
may have and preserve governments re
publican in form and in substance, tn
United States shall guaranty to every State
and TO the people OF every State aud OF ll
United States, the support and mainien'
ance OF such system Of free publ
schools as herein provided.
SEQ. 4.-Congress shall enforce hi
article by legislation when necessary.
j. WIGHT.
Scotch Ridge, Ohio.