Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-10-01
ROCK RIVER METHoDlsTs.
They Object to Ecclesiastical Interference
With the Public Schools.

JOLIET, Ill, Sept. S0.-The Rock river
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church, comprising the northern and
southern portions of Illinois, including
Chicago, adopted a report on the public
school question which contained the
following utterance:
Our public schools are the conserVators
and the safeguards of the nation No sys-
tenn of parochiai or church schools can meet
the demands of general public school in
struction. The principles upon which our
public school system rests are the outgrowth
of and in harmony with the principles
and progressive interests of our govern
ment The system itself deserves and
has hitherto received the approval
and CO. operation of all classes of our citi-
zens. 1t has without question done much to
give us a distinctly intelligent national
character and given to US a national and
most important political and linguistic
unity. That educational system Is now en-
dangered. Tho constant attacks of the Ro'
man Catholic hierarchy upon upon our pub
lie school system and the persistence OF that
great eccles iasticism in demanding Of its
adherents the withdrawal Of their children
from the public schools and their undivided
attendance upon the parochial schools, is
slowly but surely arOusing an un-American
antagonism against the most cherished IN
stitution of our common country. All con-
cessions have been made that can con-
sistently be made to preserve the national
character of our public school system
These concessions have not satisfied an
hierarchy which demands that religion
be made the basis Of the public education
and demands that said religious instruction
shall be wholly under its own control. This
demand has been verified in the pope's en-
cyclical the councils and conventions al
Baltimore OF Roman Catholic laymen and
clergy and the utterance and action OF the
Roman Catholic German clerical convention
Just closed at Buffalo. The demand is now
formulated in the seductive utterance Of
that Buffalo convention, which announces
its intention to secure home rule In all mat
tiers of education of the children of the ma
tion. We stop not now to speak Of other
features of Its Cahensly plans for the disin-
tegrating of our national unity In language
and character. We know well what Its de-
mand for home rule IN educational matters
means and we reply as follows:
Resolved, First-That we declare emphat-
ically for American home rule In all matters
of public education and the sustaining Of
public education and the sustaining of our
public school system.
seeond-That home rule in our state and
national affairs forbids the interference Of
any foreign pope, priest, potentate or prince
in our domestic affairs OF the furthersnce OF
any BCn6iuef VI
our national unity OF language or In educa-
tloDal interests.
.Third-That home rule In matters Of pub
lie education shall mean no interference Of
anv ecclesiastical sectarian or sectional or
ganlzation in the administration of our edu-
cational affairs and no appropriation OF
public moneys to be expended on the
schools controlled for ecclesiastical or sec
tartan purposes.
Fourfb-That we will seek to secure such
enactments by constitutional and legislative
provisions as shall strengthen our entire
school system and make IL more than ever
worthy of the support of the earnest, loyal,
moral, patriotic and Christian citizen who
wishes to see a free ballot in the hands Of
intelligent. free, pure, patriotic and prosper
Gus people
Resolutions were passed appointing
committee to work with the Sabbath
union for. the closing of the worlds
fair on Sundays