The record-union., 1891-07-13


Let US begin by guarding against
every enemy threatening the perpetuity
of free republican institutions. In a re-
public like ours, where the citizen is the
sovereign and the official the servant, and
where no power is exercised except by
the will of the people, it is important that
the sovereign should possess intelligence
The free school is the promoter of that
intelligence which is to preserve US q
free nation. Ii we are to have another
contest in the near future of our national
existence, | predict that the dividing line
will not be Mason and Dixon's, but be-
tween patriotism and intelligence on one
side and superstition, ambition and ig-
norance on the other. Encourage free
schools. and resolve that not one dollar
appropriated to their support-no matter
now ralsed-shall be appropriated to the
support OF any sectarian school. Resolve
that neither the State or nation, or both
combined, shall support institutions of
learning other than those sufficient to
afford every child growing up in the land
the opportunity of good common school
education, unmiXed with sectarian, pagan
or atheistical elements. Leave matters of
religion to the family altar, the church
and the private school, supported entirely
by private contribution. Keep Church
and State entirely separate. With these
safeguards, | believe the battle which
created the Army OF the Tennessee will
not have been fought in vain"
Every true American can say amen to
these words. The attacks upon our free
schools grow more violent and are made
with greater boldnass every day. We
hardly realize how effective they have
become. But whens a great State like
Wisconsin Surrenders her free school
system to foreign domination-as she has
dOne-shame on her-it is time to be
alarmed.
Very strong and powerful influences
are at work among us to destroy the free
school system Of the United States.
Many foreign powers are aiding and
abetting the attempt. You can hardly
pick up magazine that does not have an
attack-either covert or open-upOn the
free schools. Our own country hes furn-
ished man, who, after writing ana pub
fishing book condemning the public
schools, was called to high Office under
the general Government.
A prominent writer in the North -1Dler-
icG3e ReUielC for May last, in an article
denouncing the free schools, used these
words: ''We do desire religious and
practical education for our children, and
it is impossible TO get either in our public
schools, which are the creation OF medi-
ocrity for the perpetuation of mediocre
ties"
These words of Maurice Francis Eagan
/ shall take for my text for what more |
may say 10 you to-day. And l am going
to talk plainly as an American citizen
should, who believes with Grant, that
''the free school is the promoter of that
intelligence which is to preserve rs a
nation"
The free schools were the creation of,
and are sustained by the best and highest
intelligence of the land. They are as
sailed by the mediocre and the crafty. By
those who would destroy the personal
and religious liberty of the American
people. Mr.. Eagan, nor any other.church-
2nan ofany denomination or creed known
among men, has any right to look to the
free schools for religious instruction for
his children.
Give sectarianism to the public schools
and Strychnine to your children, and the
result will be the same in both cases
both will be destroyed. The free schools
belong to the State. They are the nur-
series of patriotism. Had those States
which seeded and attempted to destroy
this nation been dotted over with free
schools, as is the State of California to-
day, not one of them could have been
persuaded or driven into rebellion. Nor
would all the land have been dotted over
as it is to-day with the graves of men
shot to death TO preserve the Union. No
State that nurtured and sustained free
traitor to that flag.
l believe three things only should be
taught in the public schools. First,
patriotism; second, pure morality; third,
the common branches of an English edu-
cation, and they are of Importance in the
order named. l believe the teacher who
cannot subscribe to that platform is
not properly qualified for his or her posi-
ton.
I hold that the first duty of the parent
or teacher in this country is to teach the
youth TO grow up worthy and true
American citizens, all else desirable will
follow. The friends of the public schools
should say to every church of whatever
name, OF whatever creed, Under this
flag you have full liberty to build your
churches and denominational schools to
propagate your faith, and none shall
modest you so long as you do not inter
fere with the liberty of others; and you
shall be protected by all the power of the
nation, but the liberty accorded to you,
you must accord to all Others"
When God placed our first parents in
the garden of Eden, giving them domin-
ion over all the earth and every living
thing therein, He commanded of one tree
they should not eat. So the American
people should say to all the churches:
You have dominion over ali this para
disc; all is yours, save only the public
schools; over these you shall not have
dominion. Thus saith the spirit OF
American liberty"
Are you Methodist? Then teach
your children to be Methodists, bat first
teach them TO be American citizens. Are
&ou Catholic? Then teach your chill
dren to be Catholics, but first teach them
to be American citizens. Are you a
Democrat? Then, if you think it is right,
teach your children to be Democrats, but
first teach them to be American citizens.
And you, school teachers, teach your
pupils mathematics, how to read and
write, but first teach them their duty as
American citizens.
AS you see have written down what
] intended to say to you to-day. Whether
| have said what l have written ! DO not
know; l submitted it 10 a friend to look
over, and after reading it that friend said,
Are you not afraid that this will jeopar-
diZe your renomlnation?p Well, whether
il does or not, that Is minor conSidera-
ton, and of no interest to anyone but my
self, and has nothing to do with the facts
l have stated. But it is to the fear of just
such consequences by office-holderS and
ofiice-seekers we owe most of our trouble,
so many OF them dare not do right, dare
not give voice TO their honest sentiments,
dare hardly speak in favor of American
citizenship for fear they will lose votes.
and they take their cues from the policy
OF their respective political parties.
1t is time for change of front, and if it
be treason to mypolitical party to declare
my opposition to this unrestricted immi-
gration; my opposition to the making OF
citizens of the eX-convicts and paupers OF
Europe, assisted to reach this country by
foreign nations; my opposition to giving
immigrants special privileges over our
own people; my opposition TO allowing
foreigners, not citizens of the United
States to dictate to and crowd ont nnr own