The record-union., 1892-07-23

Against ecclesiasticism we are unalter-
ably committed. But clerical control,
overtly exercised, and clerical influence.
proceeding from just criticism and sug-
gestIon, are wholly different matters.
The one is simply intolerable, the other
is essential TO moral order and the free
dom OF religion. The truth Of the latter
proposition is readily apparent to all
thoughtfui minds. There are fundamen-
TAI principles that underlie social order,
the habltual violation OF which can end in
nothing but anarchy. The very first of
these IS reverence for a righteous Being
as the supreme source of law, and whose
laws law indicate the proper scope of spirit
ana human legislation. To His laws all
righteous human laws conform, and in so
lar Iorth, are divine in their nature.
such laws alone are binding upon con-
science and susceptible of enforcement
among free people. It is the duty,
therefore, III spite of criticism, of those to
whom tho proclamation of these laws of
God has been committed fearlessly to
protest against their invasion and TO edu-
cate IN the duties of citizenship by in
grating them upon the public con-
Speaking of the Faribault plan, the
y GtionGt Baptist Of Philadelphia con
Guides as follows: ''In or6er to wise
Judgment, we must have the facts. Is it
true that the Catholic authorities have 3
voice III the appointment of teachers, and
can dictate who shall and who shall not
be employed? is it true that the Catholic
authorities have voice in the choice of
school-books, and that only those books
are used which they approve? Is it true,
as stated in the Chicago Herald, that
one OF these schools was recently closed
on a Thursday, because the day was one
OF special note in the Archbishop's
church, while all the other schools were
open? Have other denominations, the
Baptlsts, for example, the same rights to
use the school building for religious serv-
ices and instruction outside school hours
as the Catholics? In other words, is it
really public school. or is it parochial
school, with the bills paid for by the tax
payer?"
Instead of retarding, Archbishop Ire
land has brought the school question to
the forefront" says the New York Free
mans journal (R. C.). .'If his arrange
ment is faulty, why, let us have one that
IS better. If it be well to move for recog-
milton Of the right of parochial schools to
share in the funds raised by taxation for
the purposes of education; if the word is
sent out by our hierarchy that such, in
their conscientious Judgment, is the right
ana proper thing to do, we believe in all
confidence that they will find a hearty
support among the laymen who have to
bear the burden OF double taxation.
Whatever the programme devised, oppo-
sition may be counted upon in the begin
ming by the fanatical element, just as the
arrangement of Archbishop Ireland,
mild as it is considered by some, has to
contend with in Minneapolis at this mo-
nlent-the Protestant ministers having
formed union to destroy it-but Just so
surely as the cause is Gods cause, victory
will follow. 1t will be proud day for
New York Catholics if. as the result of
Pope Leo's recommendation, the Bishops
call upon them to take the first stand in
the battle for their rights as parents,
guardians, citizens and Christians"