The Democratic advocate., 1893-12-02
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Shall the Present System be Changed
And the Money of the State Ap-
propriated for Denomina-
tional SohoolsP
MonsignOr McCOIGan, and Bishops
DOane and Paret. Give their
Views ON the Question,

Monsignor McColgan, the venerable priest
of St. Peters Church, Baltimore, said to a
reporter of The Herald that application would
be made this winter, TO the Legislature for an
appropriation of state funds for the support
of Catholic schools. Accompanying this dec.
laration is the recent issue of circulars
throughout Maryland by prominent members
of the Catholic clergy, having first, for its
object the creation of public sentiment in
favor of the appropriation.
Monsignor McCogan said: These cir,
culars have emanated from rightful source,
and the inference is true that the Legislature
will be asked for state appropriation. Our
schools are very poor r. some of them
poverty stricken-and we want the same
privileges as are accorded the denominat-
ional schools in Europe and in Canada. OF
course, we will have the usual amount of bigo
try against us, but we have always had to
contend with that. y
The effects of the distribution of these cir
culars will be carefully observed by the pro-
per authorities of the church in each centre,
and by the time the Legislature meets, suffi-
cient idea will have been gained as to the
feeling in Maryland.
1t is also believed that copies of the crcu
lar will be distributed in every state in the
Union, and wherever it is thought favorable
THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL CIRCULAR
at must be understood reads the eircu-
lar, THAT we Catholics are not opposed to
the public schools so far as they impart a
good secular education, but we believe that
education, to be complete. must rest on re-
ligon as the basis of all practical morality
Man, created in the image of God, has a long
ing after Immortality and aspiration to seek
first the Kingdom of God and His justice.
The religious and secular education Of the
rising generation is an object of the greatest
importance. 1t will be barrier to impety
and most etfectual means of inculclting
obediance to the laws and of promoting peace
and order in society. The system of educa.
ton in England, Ireland and in the Canadas
combines state and denominational schools,
supported by the public purse
Opinions of Protestant and church papers
which have favored denominational schools
are quoted. President Eliot, of Harvard, is
quoted as having in a recent address advocat-
ed the teaching Of religion in public schools
and that Catholics, Protestants and Isrealites
be allowed teachers of their faith paid out of
the school fund. After quoting George Wash
ington as saying that morality cannot be
obtained without religion, the circular con.
cludes.
''Since it is considered by all that religion
is an essential element of civilization and the
bulwark of civil government, We consider
that the state in its educational system should
have regard for the right of parents to accord
TO them the religious freedom guaranteed by
the constitution. As the law now stands,
parents who prefer parochial schools as places
of education for their children are deprived
of the benefit of their taxes as far as educat.
ing their own offspring is helped by them
They are also led from motives of charity 10
educate the poor of their denomination. This
threeiold tax is very onerous. Furthermore,
the system of education which the state adopts
presents to our minds grievance very much
to be deplored, the absence of religion in the
public schools.
''We wish it to be understood that it is not
our purpose to interfere with the public
schools. We only desire modification of
the present common. school system, so that
the conscience of parents be respected, and
that even handed justice be done 10 all
citizens, that none be taxed without derivi ng
therefrom a corresponding benefit, and that
public blessings may be commensurate with
public burdens
BISHOP DoANE's OPPOSITION.
Right Rev. Bishop William Croswell Doane,
Of the Albany Episcopal diocese was asked
~ ms NitnS ii icSdiu " Anc pFOpOStu4 pas
sage Of a bill by the next legislature provid.
ing for state aid for parochial schools. Such
bill has already been drafted and tits likely
to be vigorously pushed at the coming session.
He said-"The system Of education known
as the common school system in America is
justly regarded as among the most essential
factors IN good government. 1t has never
been based upon the rights of children to be
educated; but upon the necessity Of the state
to protect itself from the danger of class of
citizens, who, being uneducated and ignorant,
become immoral and inimical TO good govern
ment. tits all the more Important since the
possession Of the ballot makes numbers pow.
erlul and universal intelligence is the only
safeguard Of universal suffrage. :"
referring particularly 10 the bill which will
be introduced next January, and to the petit
tion of prominent Catholics in the state
which will accompany its introduction, the
reverend bishop said: rlIhe very ground,
therefore, for the petition which accompanies
the bill is wrong. The people who urge il
have no such RIGGS as they claim. The state
provides sufficient education free for all. and
compels all children to receive il, but the
state knows nothing of any particular educa.
ton in any religious belief AS to the bill 1t
is specious in its title and lis provisions. The
American way 10 promote education is to in
crease the number of common schools, and
not to subsidize private enterprises for free
education. II is idle to pretend that the bill
does not ask legislation in favor Of any one