Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-11
Public and P.roch,., schos,.

4
of Catholics on the school question may
produce enlightened views and beneficial
results, IL conducted in a spirit OF fairness
and justice. and without acrimony
| The apostolic delegate, Mgr Satolli In
connection with this discussion, is receiv.
ing full share Of public attention, and is
Ekeiy soon to acquire a more complete
knowledge of our language If he reads the
vigorous queens English" hurled at his
devoted head. He is sometimes called hard
names, and may have to look at his diction-
airy TO know their meaning-when he Is CALI
ed an allen" he perhaps repudiates the
epithet. and exclaims. in his own vigorous
language, "Catholicus sum, non alienus"
he is not a stranger. or ignorant of the
fundamental principles of our Constitution,
and the institutions founded upon it. He
was educated in schools where the philoso-
ply OF the great st. Thomas Aquinas the
Angelic Doctor" was taught, and when
ne reads our Constitution. and the utter
ances of the sages who gave 1t to us and
the patriots who preserved il, ne recognizes
with delight the principles taught by St
Thomas in the thirteenth century-the ages
which men used to call dark" before they
saw the light which in fact Illuminated
them. He joins heart and soul with the IL
iustilous Lincoln in the prayer that gov
|
for the people. shall not perish from the
race OF the earth" He tells Italians at Gin
cinnau ITO note well that the holy father,
always anxious for their religious welfare,
is also mindful and hopeful of their civil
prosperity, and earnestly eNho-ts them TO
foster the sentiment of true loyalty to the
| Institutions Of America, and to conform
their Catholicism to the spirit of liberty"
AT Chicago ne tells the 5000 representative
| Catholics assembled there in the Catholic
congress from all parts of the United States
to go forward. on the road of progress,
bearing IN one hand the book OF Christian
| trrth-Christs gospel-and in the other the
| Constitution of the United States" And
here at the capital he joins in the national
Thanksgiving or the Presidents solemn
invitation. TO thank God for protecting and
speeding the American republic" and ex-
horts US in the name of ST. Paul and the
teachings handed down by the early fathers
OF the church. TO pray constantly for the
peace and prosperity of the commonwealth
these being the teachings which the
Catholic Church faithful guardian Of the
ancient traditions) repeats today, and in
sists on being observed by her children"
And he adds that We Catholics have an
| important duty as citizens of this republic
70 show by the sincerity of our actions that
We are worthy of enjoying the freedom and
| prosperity of this noble land"
But speaking to Catholics, and TO Catho-
lie schoolboys, he goes on to commend the
value OF the Catholic school. and TO say
that citizens educated in those schools do
| not fall short in knowledge and in love of
| the American Constitution; that they do
moi Tag behind the most progressive Of the
American people; that they are endowed
| with steadiness OF character, with con-
stancy OF right purpose: that they are just,
active, charitable and generous unto sacri-
! hce. He ADDS more. and says that the
| Catholic education is the surest safeguard
| OF the permanence, throughout the centu-
r1es, Of the Constitution, and the best guide
CT the republic in civil progress.
Every Catholic school is a safe guardian OF
youth, and * is at the same time for the
American youth place OF training where
| they are brought up for the advantage OF
Church anc country"
! What is there in all this, or in any other
utteralce Of this represen tative Catholic
| the apostolic delegate Of the illustrious Leo
ALL, the present head Of the universal
church-that is hostile in any way 10 any
American institution-the public schools
or any other upon which the future Of this
nation rests?' Neither Leo Kill nor Mgr
Satolh, nor any other Catholic desires 10
diminish In the least degree the permanence
| or efficiency of the public schools of the
county. : II a crime 10 suppose that they
are not absolutely perfect, and 10 desire
| their Improvement? The Catholic believes
that he is accountable TO Almighty Cod for
the moral training Of his children. This
moral training they cannot receive in the
public schools, owing TO the unfortunate
sectarianism and agnosucism that abounds
| In our day he knows that "Of all the dis
positions and habits which lead TO political
prosperity, religion and morality are indis-
pensaole supports. In vain would that man
| claim the tribute OF patriotism who should
| labor to subvert these great pillars of hu-
man happiness, these firmest props Of the
duties OF men and citizens The mere poll
| tician, equally with the pious man, ought
TO respect and cherish them. A volume
could not trace all their connections with
public and private felicity. Let IL simply
! De asked: Where is the security for prom
erty, for reputation, for life. If the sense
or religious obligation desert the oaths which
are the instruments OF Investigation I'm
courts Of Justice? And let us with caution
indulge the supposition that morality can
be maintained without religion Whatever
may he conceded to the influence OF refined
education on minds OF peculiar structure
reason and experience both forbid us TO ex-
pect that national morality can prevail in
exclusion Of religious principle"
The Catholics Of this country have proved
their devotion to its institutions In many
ways, and by none more than their self
sacrifice I'm maintaining their own schools.
In this very city Of Washington they have
built school houses and provide education
for more than 1000 children: saving TO the
public not less than $4,000 every year. in
depenceatly OF the cost OF the buildings.
They at the same time pay their fun share
toward the cost OF the public instruction
while debarred from a participation in IT
:or even IL the public schools were all that
they wish them to be. there is no room for
their children in the houses provided at
the common expense.
Not only do Catholics everywhere through
out this country, while contributing from
their scanty means mot always cheerfully,
confess) to the education OF their non-
Catholic fellow citizens maintain schools
adapted to their wants, but they have aim
ed, and with glorious success. TO give their
children an education equal II not superior
to that given by the public. The recent
Columbian exhibition and many competi-
tons, have placed on record the fact that
our Catholic-taught children can hold their
own in all branches of secular knowledge
taught in other schools. while they are at
the same time trained I'm the way they
ought to go-in TIE knowledge of their du-
ties TO God. to their country, and to their
neighbor.
No; Catholics are not enemies OF the rub
lie schools-they desire their perpetuation
and improvement-thSt whatever there may
be in our system OF education tending to
undermine the religion OF cur youth may be
eliminated. We do not ask that cur tenets
of doctrine shall be taught by the state;
neither do We agree that they shall be dis
tor;ed or misrepresenteI. We claim shat
the right of the Christi1n parent 20 Keep
the education Of his children within his own
control Is one of the inalehahe right, With
which We are endowed by our Creator: that
"Paternal authority can neither hc ABOLISH
cd by the state nor absorbed for il mas the
same human ,ife itself =" That