The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-08
DEFEND PUBLICSCH0OLS
WHAT NOHgIGHOR DUCBT MAJ 1V
sxY ON TIE QUESTION.
Pope Leo and satoIll Have Deciosu the
Church's Policy Concerning
Education.
Copyright for The Times 1893.

The Constitution of the united States
provides that men shall have the Flsns
TO worship God according to their con-
scientious convictions. That congress
shall make no law regulating religion
or support any particular form OF state
religion. The public school. system OF
the country seems to me to De regulated
end directed by this constitutions pre-
vision. Until lately many Cathohcs
have been unwise enough TO attack the
public school system as Goddess. THESE
attacks have provoked from non-Catho-
lie citizens mistrust OF Catholics and
their religion. Well disposed but oiyoted
and pre1udiced non-Catholics, not INFORM
ed OF Catholic doctrine, nave been ready
and willing at all times 10 cry out petoFe
the country that the institutions OF the
country were in danger from Catholc
invasion. DeVocquevliles Democracy in
America has often been quoted IN sec
tartan papers against the Cathohc ehurch.
The American people have heard time
and time again the words put IN the
mouth OF Lafayette that II american
institutions were 10 be destroyed ~ Would
be through the influence or me Cathohc
church and its clergy.
To honest Catholics ana unpreJuulceu
and intelligent non-CathoH' is THIS cry az
Pastor OF ST. Leos Church, Ne" ioiN'
WAYS appears to be very cnIidlsn. Inc
only danger from such false insihuatlo.i'
is that the vast multitude Of people IN
the struggle for life have not time TO do
much ansIyzing and thinking, ana con-
seauently allow others 10 do 1t for them'
Therefore, this vast multitude OF cltlZcns
may believe the utterances or the preJh-
diced and the bigoted and cultivate
disirust for their Catholic fellow clti-
zens who are only o small majority VI
the whole population OF this vast coul-
try. This distrust on the part Of the
multitude OF Catholics against thelr
Catholic fellow citizens can be ana no
doubt is intensified by the nafroWhesS
and aggressiyeness OF some Few CathOhcS,
ecclesiastics and laymen, DOUBT wen
intentioned and sincere, but neVer-the-
less directed by q zeal neither In Keeping
with discretion nor charity. Ihose peo-
pie do not voice the conviction OF the au-
thority and intelligence OF the cnurch.
They are but blind leaders OF the bilhd'
The American people need nave no
fear Of the small army OF Catholics sun
verting the institutions Of the country.
This army of ten millions, poorly equ1pp-
ed and not so wonderfully generated
cannot wipe out the army or over oJVV''
600 well equipped with vast resources
and possessed of much skilled general
ship. This hue and cry about the Cath-
ole church being opposed 10 the 1nslltu-
tons of the country seems 20 me- at All
times looking at IL calmly, 10 be very
much like the mood OF directing INFANCY
In the nursery before We arrive AT the
use OF reason and discreeuon-the rear
of the bugdbCo. Nevertheless the pusl-
hoo does terrify the child though IT has
no existence and II imprudent Catholics
keep on CRYING out against The pubic
school system and its Goddess character,
they must not be surprised II the vast
majority OF American non-Cathoilcs rear
and mistrust them.
We have no right, in my judgment,
under the Constitution 10 attack the public
school system. But we have the right
under the Constitution to worship God
according to our conscience while Loyalty
supporting every constitutional claim OF /
cur country We are not compelled by
law to send our children TO the public
schools and II some Of the ecclesiastics
md some OF the laity believe there Is an
absolute necessity for the existence OF
pdTOcDidi SCHOOLS tDe Sldlc has AO ISM
to and does not prevent us from building
such schools, placing an additional tax
upon ourselves for their maintenance and
Catholic children 10 them TO re-
ceiye secular education in the interest CT
their worldly progress and In addition to
their secular education throwing around |
the Child the safeguards Of morality and |
deep religious conviction. We have right, |
rs every non-Catbolic will admit. TO do |
his. The Constitution protects US In our |
rights. Therefore, the Catholic acts very |
unwisely and crimihally against The in |
terests OF his religion when he attacks |
The public school system which the great |
majority OF American citizens regard as |
the unwritten clause Of our Constitution |
Tor the preservation OF American liberties. |
The Holy Father and his delegate un- |
from all the public has learned |
since the arrival OF Mgr Satolli in |
he United States. now almost a year ago. |
have taken this view OF the situation. |