Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-17

principle should fear the result of an honest
vote at the polls.
"The surest way to strengthen the social
edifice is to enlighten the ignorant. Let us
do right because it is right; let us fight
abuses because they are abuses. The poll
ing places should be the the place of all
places, where the law sits as Empress, up
holding good and repressing evil"
AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
The National Society for the Protection
of American Institutions was we'll repre-
sented on the Chautau1ua platform to-day
by two gentlemen of ability and eminence.
This association composes some of the
ablest men in the country, and its objects
are best told by the speeches of the Hon.
John jay, LII. D., and DR.. Byron King,
of New York City. Mr.. jay. grandson
of the famous statesman of Revolutionary
times, is splendid example of the type of
cultured and elderly Eastern gentlemen.
A typical Knickerbocker. his benevolent
face cleaned with pride and pleasure as he
read a chaste and polished address on the
subject so near his heart. His speech en-
tirely concerned the public school system
and destroying and retrogradlng influences
brought to bear upon it.
DIR. King made an explanatory and very
radical talk, in which he said: "Pyhsiolog-
ically speaking. the public schools con-
stithte the digestive organs of our
body polite. Henry Ward Beecher
declared children of all nationalities
go into the public schools and come out
Americans. Our greatest statesmen and
patriots have left the sentiment, See to 1t
that you protect the free education of our
children If our cherished institutions
are to remain, it will be through Christian
conscience.
OPPOSED TO PARocHIAL SCHOOLS.
"Our present public school system sprang
from the Christian church. The fact was
never lost through all the years of troubles,
quarrels and revolutions; it has never been
forgotten that the common people need an
education. In Colonial days right be-
side the church the schoolhouse was
built. Taxation, school funds and
private benevolence are the present means
of support of our public schools. We let
people of every class and nation come into
our homogeneous nation when certain ques-
tions were simple to solve These questions
are now difficult to solve. Whenever the
Catholic Church has had control it has been
destructive.
The National Protective League is not an
anti-Catholic organization, but it is an or
6ohA1dSioh iOI pui pOoC VI Vic pEOtCCtlOu
OF American institutions To Catholic,
Protestant, Hebrew, agnostic, when they
attempt to swamp them it says, "hands OF. !"
Trend toward the unison of church and
State should be stayed.
RIGHTS OF THE STATE.
"The very principles OF the Republican
form of government is dependent upon
the public schools. When out Of 18, 600, 900
children of school age there are $4,000, 900
which are actually enrolled, there is danger
to American institutions. The nation has
a right to educate its sovereignty and there
fore our children should be compelled
to attend the public schools. The Superin-
tendent of Education at Washington
recently said 1t was an absolute fact that
our public schools system was deteriorating.
Is it not then reasonable that we should be
alarmed 2"
Immediately after these speeches all the
Chautauquans crowded themselves into the
Amphitheater to hear brilliant concert
under the direction of DR.. Palmer, in which
W. II. Sherwood the great pianist; Madame
Abbie Carrington, the singer; Forest Chen
ey, the violinist, and the Schubert Quartet
participated In the evening Leland Powers,
of Boston, gave readings, which were re-
ceiyed by an applauding and admiring
audience.