The record-union., 1893-12-18

American institutions, and their per-
petuity depends upon their complete, abb
solute and resolute keeping apart of the
church, no matter what its sect, and the
State, no matter what its political bias.
These opponents of the division plan
allege also that the scheme is simply one
to charge the State with the support of
churchly orders that are devoted to edu-
cational work, and that any such result
would lead US at once into a field that
would be filled with constant contention,
rivalry between sects and quarreling be-
tween priests. If there are any, say these
opponents, who do not think the State
system of common schools sufficient, let
them send elsewhere: the State does not
interpose any objection. The childless
are taxed for school support, and they
might just as we'll lay claim for so much
of the fund as they represent to be re-
turned to them. Further, the per capita
system is only means, not an end. The
end of the State is to abolish ignorance
and conserve intelligence, because that is
safeguard to society. Therefore, all the
members of society, childless or not, are
required to contribute to this end.
So hotly is the matter agitated in New
York now that the taking of sides is de-
veloping great deal of bitterness and it
is just as we'll, for it is safer to fight out
the matter in this way than to permit it
to take more serious form. 1t is noted
that no petition comes up in favor of the
Walsh-Spellissy bill except from sup
porters of the Catholic parochial schools,
and this fact is pointed to as an indica-
ton that it is purely church movement
and not promoted by any other than the
Catholic denomination. The kindergar-
ten schools in New York are many and
embrace tens of thousands of children.
They receive no State aid, and ask for
none; they are supported wholly by pri-
vate funds and churches, and this fact is
cited to establish the claim that no other
than the Catholic Church demands school
fund division.
The simple truth is that the strength of
our system rests in the absolute removal
of it from churchly influences. When
we make step in the contrary direction
it is one that will lead US, if followed, to
the breaking down of the American sys-
tenn wholly. If the Empire State should
divide her school fund among the church
sects, vital nerve of our system will be
severed, and there will be projected into
American politics an issue that will be
marked by bitterness not equaled in
the entire history of contentious in this
republic.
The Catholic people of New York are
not unit by any means upon the Walsh
bill. Quite a large number are opposed
to the whole scheme, and see in it only
danger and useless contention. This
class of churchmen are fairly represented
by Judge Charles P. DAILY OF New York
City, who. in a recent number of the
Times, expresses himself emphatically as
opposed to the scheme of the Walsh bill,
and declares that his church is making
the most serious mistake of its history in
attempting to disrupt a system that be
recognizes as a bulwark of the liberties
of the people. He is supported by other
distinguished men of his church, who
manifest an independence of thought and
expression that is encouraging to the
opponents of the Walsh bill. As it now
stands, the school fight in New York is
bound to engage the attention of the
whole country. 1t is losing its local
aspect. and taking on an Importance that
is national.