Omaha daily bee., 1890-03-10
BLAINs EpuoArloN BILL.
Subject OF an Interesting Lecture by
Rabbi ROsenau.

for posterlty their peoples mythology, re-
late how, upon Mount Cithaeron, in Boeotia,
q certain Aktaeon, who was passionately
devoted to the chase was one day suddenly
changed into stag by the goddess Diana,
and soon after the transformation devoured
by his HOUNDS. This interesting fable has,
like many others of its kind, become rich
food for the artists imagination. Those OF
you who have ever seen picture OF the IL
lustrious hunter and his dire fate will re-
member it as having been brought before
you 10 the following group: In the center
is youth, veritable specimen OF ideal
manhood, who Is beautiful and majestic in
appearance, high and robust IN stature.
His countenance manifests the look of great
anxiety, his attitude the position OF un-
daunted self-defense. On each side OF him
IS dog, eager to tear him into shreds. The
one at the left has, as 1t seems, just been
beaten back, looking, however, in no degree
discouraged, but rather inspired to begin the
attack anew. The one at the right Is Just
making bound with such great violence as
IL determined to overpower his prey now for
all time to come.
We have here stated this pretty fable and
described the accompanying picture not be-
cause we recognized their exceptionally fan
ciful character and the lofty ingenuity OF the
poet and artist in whose mind they were re-
spectively conceived, but because we DIS
covered that the figures brought before our
view and their relations toward one another
might, under present conditions, be given an
Interpretation which would prove itself OF
the greatest interest to the citizens OF our
country Aktaeon. the attractive, the faci-
mating, the enchanting, might be considered
as representing our government, tolerant,
liberal and independent. The hounds once
helpful IN the chase but afterwards attack
ing the celebrated hunter, can be made sym
bolical of the laws that in the past gained
reputation for our government and
which would, il amended by the blair
national Sunday and educational bills event.
ually rob it of the same. In giving this one
explanation let us sincerely trust that the
Aktaeon of the present may not like unto
him of the fall be compelled TO battle by
himself against his enemies and finally sue
comb but that he may be surrounded by
host of firm friends and supporters, who
will aid him In turning the tables and thus
gain for him the victory. And not only
should we hope fors but we should also exert
ourselves in accomplishing this end. Every
where in the United States this is being
done, and we too must therefore be- up ana
doing. What the dangers to be expected
from the institution of national Sunday
are we have already shown at length, and
therefore we have no doubt that here in our
midst, too, 1t will meet with great opposition.
1t remains for US yet to give warning Of the
evils which the second foe of our government
namely, the educational bill, can ao-
complish. Before proceeding to
point out the harm that would
result from It's adoption, let US first make a
review of it as 1t reads, SO that we can get a
clearer and more definite idea of what is
proposed by 1T and why we should raise our
voice against it.
1t reads something like this: "Resolved
by the senate and house of representatives of
the United States, two-thirds of each house
concurrinR. that the following amendment is
hereby proposed to the states, to become
valid when ratified by the legislature OF
three-fourths of the states as provided IN
the constitution.
"That no state shall ever make or maintain
any law respecting an establishment Of re-
ligion or prohibiting the free exercise there
of. Again that each state shall establish
ana maintain a free system of public schools
ages OF six and sixteen IN the commo,.
branches Of learning, IN virtue and
morality and in ike knowledge of
the fundamental and non-sectarian
principles of Christianity. On the
other hand again, no money shall be appro-
priated for the maintenance of schools where
the ceremonials and doctrines OF any special
creed are taught. Again. in order that each
state, the United States and all people there
of may have and preserve republican forms
of government, the United States shall
guarantee to every state and its people the
support and maintenance of such systems of
free public schools as are herein provided.
When we read this amendment we feel as
though no man could protest loud enough
against its acceptance. One and all can very
easily see that IL provides for something TO
be advocated and enforced by our constitu-
tion, which is dlametrically opposed to its
glorious spirit. When those who formulated
the laws upon which the majestic structure
of our government was to be founded, de-
cided that 1T should be non -sectarian in its
character, demanding of men allegiance
universal faith of humanism, they
they did so for reasons which they knew
were commendable and just and would for
certain result in the bIessedness of the coun-
try and its Inhabitants. Their expectations
were happily realized in the fullest measure.
Generations of SUCCESSORS assumed control
of the ship of state noticed the success of
their fathers under the new order of things,
recognized the laudable nature of the mo-
tives that PROMPTED ITS introduction and
promised uninterrupted continuance. And
what they so solemhly avowed they dld.
What the reasons foUlthe establishment OF
such government7sa as ours were, ought
never escape our memory, and least OF oil
the memory OF those who are charged with
the responsibility of looking TO the prosper
ity, happiness and qualification of the for
mer. however apparent the necessity or
bearing these reasonSever in mind may be
there are nevertheless many who act as
though they had Ieaitirely forgotten them.
Senator Blair hnd his followers
can be counted among these
Let US direct allsur attention to them for
q few moments, andieven if we do not sue
ceed in convincing Senator Blair himself, we
shall at least refreAp our own memory and
thus come TO declage ourselves staunch OPP
ponents to his religious movements.
One of the re6soHs why the government
was kept altogether separated from any
special religion, isg tho recognition on the
part of the fathers of our country OF the in
justice which they would thus perpetrate
against many OF the religions. They took
into consideration that devotees of all posi-.
bic creeds undor the sun, Christians and
Jews, agnostics and ethical culturists, and
many more, helped by the the payment of
taxes In supporting the country. Hence the
endorsement and inculcatlon OF the princi-
Piles and doctrines of any one denomination
would be an act OF favoritism to those pro
Tossing that denomination and an
exaction OF unfair concession from
those OF other religious convictions.
Having the same standard OF right and
wrong in governmental legislation today rs
IN the earlier days Of our republics exist
ence, we must conclude that what was JUS
ttce then Is iNstice now, what was imposition
then is imposition now
Another reason that led 10 tho separation
OF government and religion Is the high re-
spect our fathers desired to intuse into the
child toward the parent aud teacher. They