The Portland daily press., 1893-01-02
AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.

AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
Statement from the Maine Branch of
the National League for Their Protec-
tion-How the League Is Composed and
Its Objects-Text of the Proposed
Amendment to the National and State
81 Constitutions.
The Maine branch Of the National
League for the Protection of American
Institutions desires to state that its only
purpose is set forth in the second article
of its constitution. to wit:
ARTICLE II.
objects.
The objects of the League are TO secure con-
stitutional and legislative safeguards for the
protection of the common school system and
other American in Institutions, and to promote
public instruction in harmony with such insti-
buttons, and to prevent all sectaiian or denoml-
national appropriations OF pu0lc funds.
No person by becoming a member of
the Maine League is committed to any
other proposition. nor will the League
be responsible for any action or advocacy
not strictly confined to its objects, as
stated in its constitution.
The National League was incorporated
December "a, 1889, by an act of the legis-
lature of New York. Its members are
from all political parties and
from all religious denominations,
and include native and natural
lied citizens alike Its non-parti-
san and unsectarian character has been
strictly maintained from its organization
to the present time. By this undeviat-
ing course it has won its way, until now
it is receiving the approval and support
of thoughtful men in every state in the
Union. The League already has the
support of many of the most influential
journals throughout the entire country.
The movement contemplates the forma
ton of branch leagues in every state,
whose object is to incorporate this
amendment into the state constitutions
where it does not already exist.
1t has 200 local secretaries at the CEN
tiers of population in the various states,
and more than 100000 autograph memo
rails from citizens prominent in every
walk of life and of every political and re-
igious faith, have been addressed to Sen
ators and Representatives in Congress,
urging their support of the XVI. amend
ment. In short, the movement has
aroused the patriotic sentiment of the
people of the United States, who wish to
keep ''the jewel of liberty in the family
of freedom"
Nor is the constitutional amendment,
which it proposes, a novel suggestion.
1t will not be forgotten that a similar
amendment, proposed by President
Grant, was introduced by the Hon.
James G. Blaine in the House of Repre-
,4o4s I. - L.
was approved by the extraordinary vote
Senate by % ayes to 16 nays-lacking the |
requisite majority of two-t thirds. 1t will |
will also be remembered that both the |
Republican and Democratic parties have
given clear and decided pledges to the
American people on the subject.
On the 10Th of June, 1876, the Repub-
lican National Convention at Cincinnati
declared: ''The public school system of
the United States is the bulwark of the
American republic, and, with view to
its security and permanence, we recon-
mend an amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, forbidding the APP
plication of and public funds or property
for the benefit of any schools or institu-
tons under sectarian control" The
Democratic National platform, adopted
at ST. Louis, June 2Sth, 1876, declared:
1--WE do here reafirm our faith
in the total separation of church and
state, for the sake alike of civil and re-
ligious freedom" and referred to pub
lie schools I. which the Demo-
cratic party has cherished from their
foundation, and is resolved to maintain,
without prejudice or preference for any
class, sect or creed, and without largesses
from the treasury to any,
On January IS. 1892, the proposed six
teenth amendment was introduced into
both houses of Congress, and referred
to the respective committees on the ju-
dietary. 1t was presented to the Senate
by the Hon. O. FL. Platt of Connecticut,
) Republican, and to the House by the
Hon. William M. Springer of Illinois, a
Democrat. The amendment is pend
ng both in the House and in the Senate. ;
It reads as follows:
No state shall pass any law respect
ng an establishment of religion, or pro-
libiting the free exercise thereof, or use ,
is property or credit, or any money !,
'aised by taxation, or authorize either to :
,e used for the purpose of founding. !
maintaining or aiding, by appropriation, !
payment for services, expenses or other :.
wise, any church, religious denomination :
ociety, or undertaking which is wholly !
" Ii part uHdof SecUdrlan Or eccleS1aStI-
al CONTROL
If the above amendment shall become !
part of our National Constitution, the !
irst great mission of the National League
will have been accomplished.
In the meantime we shall urge an h
amendment to our own state constitu- =
ion. 1t already secures to our people !
ntire religious liberty and prohibits a =
tate religion.
But of the A states of the Union, v
Iaine is one of eight only whose con- a
titution does not prohibit any sectarian c
INVERSION of the school fund. Maine is h
ne of % states which allows its legis- h
allure to make, in its discretion, appro-
'riations of money for the assistance of
Institutions of sectarian character, over r
1hich it has no control and from which G;
ur people generally can receive no di- T
oct benefit. This evil has long been p
ecognized by sagacious statesmen, and K