The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-22
The Freedom Of Worship Bill.

The text OF tho Freedom Of Worship bill.
rs passed by the Legislature and now In
| the hands of the Governor. shows that there
is no justification for any cutlery against
| the measure.
| The bill makes no discrimination what
| ever in favor of any form OF religion.
In this respect it is strictly constitu-
| tional 1t Is in accordance with both the
letter and the spirit Of tho Constitution OF
the State. Tho right of tho people to wor-
ship COP according to the dictates OF their
consciences. which tho Constitution guar
antces. Is carefully guarded and enforced
| by the bill.
The inmates OF penal. protective. and re-
| formatory institutions receiving public
support nre allowed the religious services
| and spiritual ministrntions which they re-
spectively prefer. "in such manner and at
such times as will be in harmony with the
discipline and the rules and regulations Of
tho institution"
Why is not that fair enough ? How can
the State ordain otherwise with duo regard
to the Constitution. if it permits any relig-
ious teaching or worship in these institu-
tons? The only tenable ground on which
the measure cnn be opposed Is that no re-
ligious service Of any kind should be con-
Quoted in State institution. but that the in
sti:ution should be wholly secular. the State
having nothing to do with religion.
1t is the same question which has come
up with reference to tho public schools.
There being no State religion. and opinions
differing SO widely as to religion, it is i'm
possible to provide religious instruction in
them without provoking the opposition Of
sincere religious conviction. Such a thing
as an eclectic religion satisfactory to all
parties does not exist. and it cannot be got
up. The schools must be secular. or the
school system must go to pieces. and the
business Of instruction DO intrusted to tho
different churches or denominations. Prot
estants and Catholics. Jews and pagans.
In the same way. II the freedom OF choice
rs to religion which this bill grants to the
inmates OF the institutions described. Is not
permitted. only such institutions as are
absolutely secular can receive aid from the
State. All religions must be provided for
or none.
3. What Is the purpose for which any relig-
ious teaching is desired for the inmates OF
these institutional 1t is to make them
better. No one can doubt that they will DO
maue DEXTER "neIner they are taushI 10 DO
good Catholics or good Professionals. Even
the strictest Protestant. who is devout in
his religious belief, would hardly say that
it is better that they should be int1dels than
Catholics. He would prefer. of course. that
they should be improved in the Protestant
way. but he would rather that they should
get Catholic instruction than no religious
instruction at all. The only aim Of both
parties Is to save the souls OF these wicked
and unfortunate people.
Really we can see no reasonable objection
to this bill which either side can urge
though it is easy to understand why 1T
should encounter pagan opposition on the
ground that no public money should be
given for the support OF any religious SER
vices or teachings.