Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-10-08

rot be kept Mn ignorance, that they are
perfectly free to attend these schools
bv their indik idual right OF liberty OF
conscience, that these children and
their PARENTS must not be treated with
barshness by Secclesiastlcs and that
neither the chil6Sen nor parents shall
be threatened BY ecclesiastIcs with
spiritual penaltleS.\ 1t seems to me
that this is cleaf and authoritive
declaration that the holy father who
Is the head Of the Catholic church does
not regard our public school system as
Goddess or as q menace in any way TO
the souls OF Catholic children. Why
then should hot-neaded, even II intelli-
gent, Catholics protesting to respect the
authority of the holy see, put them
selves in position Of apparent opposi-
ton to the highest authority Of the
Catholic Church and that which is re-
garded by AmericansNas the greatest OF
American institutions 1.-THE public
schools? II seems to me
that all thoughtful American
citizens viewing the decision
OF Leo MIL In support of their right
TO maintain their public schools and in
support OF Catholics who take advan-
tage OF their great power as educators
OF their children, and In particular
the American non-Catholics, need have
no fear from the Catholic church con-
demning or opposing the public educa-
t!onal system OF the country, and that
American justice coolly and calmly
viewing the situation will not CEN
I their
Catholic fellow citizens, because a lew
/ hot heads lift their voices against an
/ Institution which the holy father as
| the supreme authority of the church
! recognizes as most potent factor TO
promote the welfare, happiness and
/ enlightenment Of the citizens OF this
/ great country.
Eventually II the State legislatures
should be made to feel by honest STATIC
tics that the Catholic schools now in ex'
lstence give as periec, an education as
/ tha most advanced Of the public
| schools, and In addition to all this
nv deep religious teaching appeal to
the heart OF the child, instructing IL IN
the highest patriotism and love or our
institutions, much OF the prejudice now
existing against Catholics indlylduallI
and as a body will disappear. The
State will never consent TO a system Of
/ education suggested bYa Catholic gen
tlemen in New York some weeks ago
His plan OF visitation Of parochis
schools by the local authorities and th'
allowance per capita to scholars o
certain standing from the public
school fund will be received by non
Catholics OF all den limitations will
great suspicion and asonly an attemp
10 get control Of ths public money
Rev. DR.. Da Costa, very scholarly anC
respected Episcopal mnister, in analyz
ing the plan Of DR.. Welsh, the editor o
two Catholic papers iI New York, says
"Dr. Welsh's plan, though skilltull,
worded, is fallacious have Away
regarded our pubic schools a
the most impOrtaIt instrument
for welding togethsr the differ
emit elements In our population. am
therefore, opposed to.ny such plan a
that suggested. The atholics have n
grievance in this mattr. Their children
can come TO the pubic schools. w
teach morals there, OF religion. II
however, Catholics prfer TO send thei
children where they VII receive specia
religious instruction, u is their owl
fault il they have to az for it,"
TDMAs J. DUCEY.