Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-27
CARE OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
Rev j. A, Fullerton Discourses on the
Practices of the National League.

! Rev. j. A, Fullerton DiscourSes on the
Practices of the National LeaGue.
Rev. J. A. Fullerton, pastor OF the
1 Zane Street NJ. L. Church, recently re-
ceiVed letter from the Board of Mana
| gers OF THE National League for the
| Protection of American Institutions"
asking that he deliver a ser1on upon
| that subject. DR.. Fullerton took the
opportunity to do so last evening, and
well explained the movement to a large
sized congregation. The pastor said in
substance:
The objects OF the League are TO Sc
cure constitutional and legislative safe
guards for the protection of the COM
mon school system and other American
institutions, and TO promote public in
structon in harmony with such institu-
tlons, and to prevent all sectarian or
UNCONVENTIONAL appropriations OF public
funds.
Believing that the United States Gov
eminent was violating both the letter
and the spirit of the |. Amendment TO
the Constitution by appropriating money
from the national treasury for sectarian
instruction among the Indians lover
So, 900, 900 for such purposes having
been appropriated since 1856, the
League has contested such appropria-
tions by protests and petitions addressed
TO both Houses Of the Ii and LII Con-
crosses.
During eight years, out OF total OF
50, 7G7, 951 awarded to contract schools,
s., $685. 4l6 were given TO the Roman
Catholics. The amount awarded to the
Roman Catholic Church the last year
Of the last administration was S347, 512.
The three great denominations-the
Methodists. BaptistS and Presbyterlans
have publicly condemned it,and there
has been a radical change OF sentiment
in the same direction among the Con-
gregationalists and the Episcopalians.
The Baptists have never drawn any OF
this money, and the Methodists have
now entirely abandoned it, and while
the Roman Catholics receive for the
current year over $500, 900, the Presby-
teriaus get less than $4,000, the Con-
gregatioaalistS littl G more than $685.
eco, and the Episcopalians only 81, $50.
/ Out Of the contract set apart for all
contract schools-S525, sSl-the Roman
Catholics are to receive the current year
$500, 535.
The American people have no difficult
ty in determining the right course TO
pursue concerning these public school
questions. The politicians are the men
who see difficulties and attempt COM
promises. The people distinctly under
stand that American free school system
is righteously and impartially adapted
to give the fundamentals OF primary
education to all classes Of children aud
youth as a prepare tion for citizenship.
Children Of all nationalities enter these
schools and come out Americans.
The system is not designed TO make
MethodlSts, or PreSbyterians, or Roman
! Catholics, or CongregationaliSts, or
Unltarians, or Jews, but intelligent
American citizens. These different
churches must instruct their own chill
drea in their homes. churches and Sun
day schools, reiglouSly and in the tenets
Of their own faith; and if they desire to
have church-schOOls. where they can
give both secular and religious instruc-
ton, no one can or will interfere; but
they cannot draw from the public school
funds for support.
The entire cause or controversy con-
corning the public schools arises from
the efforts Of certain eccleSiastics to Sc
cure the benefits OF the excellent public
school system for the children OF their
faith, aud at the same time imp2rt daily
sectRrisn instruction at the expense OF
the State. and thus Enthusiastically vio-
late the conceded American principle of
entire separation Of Church and State.
We are living in the midst of critical
times, so far as the integrity and exist
ence Of our free public school system
and the safe relation OF ecclesiasticiSm
to our civil government are concerned.
Let the ingenuity which has been em-
plOyed in deviSing compromise ''planS"