Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-21
M.' Adamson,s Chnllenee.

To Editor of the DEMOCRAT:
 Allow me to compliment my worthy opponent, "Qui Transtulit Sustinet," on hls common sense in replying to me per- sonally. I feel that at last have met a foeman worthy of my steel. accept elgn countries as an illustration of illiteracy, in good faith. My opponent makes splendid point in the following statement, which to be explicit, must quote: The splendid public school sys- tenn of the United States teaches that the state is first and religion secondary matter" Upon this point let me pro- ceed' with the assistance of our anxious readers. ''That with the state, religion is secondary matter" The statement is true in the sense that the state has no right to teach religion, but it is the states only duty to so educate her citi- zens that they will become good moral and upright citizens that is if she Is to teach at all Something more than a knowledge of reading, grammar and geography is required to make man an upright citizen. It is for the reason that the state does not teach religion, that the Catholic church objects to hay ing her children attend the public schools. The child has head as well as body. The former should be train ed, educated and cultivated as we'll as the mind. In a word, the education of the heart and mind should go together |; The state teaches only half of the child. The church objects to half way methods in this as in other important matters Secular education to be of any real ust must become the hand maid of religious culture. But it may be obje cted Wh, not impart religious instruction at home? The answer is evident. How fl,1r-. ,.A Lz~ tent to give that religious education necessary. Religion is not thing ex- ternal to mans nature. It is something he should carry with him at all times.
 But is not the Sunday school tht place for the religious education you will ask. It is; but not for complete thorough religious education. Promi nent Catholics hold that one hour in the week cannot undo the bad influences of twenty-five hours, especially when we consider the liability of text books t., teach error. Catholics claim they have reason to fear the dangerous influences of the public schools. Their text books have not always taught the truth. Thei, teachers are not always free from the charge of proselytizing. In a word the Catholics fault is with the system. To their way of thinking. they fail in doing only halfway measure. The impor
 
 consideration are, viz:
 tlrst-Ihe state has no right to teach religion. Secondly-The state has no right to ask me where my child is being educated, or how. Thirdly-The state can only see that my child is getting an education that will make him a good citizen, nothing more. I am somewhat of dab at figures, myself, but consider that they are uncalled for. You mention the fact of the Catholic church looking after the welfare of the negro. l earnestly hope it may, even through the aid of parochial schools, reduce the large percentage, I observe in the col umns of the Republican, that Rev J H. O'Donnen has furnished an unlimited quantity of statistics.
 Pardon me for taking liberty with the parties I have previously replied to, Miss Rose M. Williams and Rev E. c. Tullar. I simply wish to say, that if Rome could not produce more brains in the average men and women, crushing out Rome would be the next on the order uf business. Let me extend to those parties my best wishes for their success in the revival they are about tC commence.
 My opponent this morning accuses us of mudslinging and blackguardism. To this will reply later. Although a brief resume of the whole correspondence would have the tendency of changing his mind on that subject.
 also notice with keen regret the withdrawal of Rev J. H. O'Donnell, but