The record-union., 1893-03-06

the recognized and tested fitness of the
teachers, that the laws are observed in
all matters pertaining to the arts and sci
ences, to methods and pedagogics, and
whatever is ordinarily required to pro-
mote the stability and usefulness of the
schools
The first plan we submit would be open
to the objection OF permitting the public
school property to be used as place for
sectarlan and denominational effort; and
TINS privilege granted TO one denonina-
ton must be granted to all, and that
would be at least i'm practicable.
II the second plan means the with
drawal OF Catholic children from the pub
lc schools during the school hours for the
purpose of giving them instruction in
catechism and higher Christian doc
trine," then we submit that disaster
would ensue to the efficiency, system and
discipline of the public school.
Ii we rightly understand the third plan,
1t Is your instructions, representing Pope
Leo MIL, that Roman Catholics are not
to look upon the American free public
schools with liberation merely, but with
commentator, and that they are to be
permitted to send their children to them
without fear of church discipline, and that
the church, the home and the Sunday
school are the chief and accredited places
Tor religious instruction, and that letters,
State and secular schools. Ii this is the
normal Interpretation of the third plan
you propose, permit us to say that we
believe that majority of the American
people will commend it.
That you may understand the source of
tins communication we make the follow
ing statement:
movement for the protection of Ameri-
can institutions was initiated by incor-
porating under the laws of the State of
New York THE National League for the
protection of American Institutions" )"
the objects of which are stated in Article
IL. OF Its Constitution:
ne opJectS OF the league are to secure
constitutional and legislative safeguards
Tor the protection of the common school
system and other American institutions,
and to promote public instruction in har-
mony with such institutions, and to pre-
vent all sectarian or denominational APP
preparations of public funds"
The league is unsectarian and non
partisan in character, and includes
among It's members and adherents many
thousands OF the most thoughtful and
patriotic citizens who are the formers OF
pubic opinion in their respective COM
munlties. This constituency is made up
OF dlVlnes, statesmen, publcists. lawyers,
physicians, educators, editors and bust
hess men IN all OF the States of the Union.
The league has now over 200 local sec
retarles III the different States. 1t has
many branch leagues and is forming
State Leagues. The highest representa-
tive bodies of all the great Protestant de-
nominations have Endorsed our proposed
form of Sixteenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution (the text of
which appears hereatterl. prohibiting sec
tartan appropriations by the States, and
! have fakan
preparations by the National Government
Tor Indian education, these denomina-
tlons representing over 27,000,0O0 of our
! population. over ninety American patri-
otic orders, representing 100000 voters,
have indorsed our principles. The re-
ligious and secular press throughout the
| country, wherever ii is not enslayed bv
political or ecclesiastical terrors, most
heartily indorses our principles.
AS the result OF the work of the league
the patriotic sentiment of the citizenship
has been aroused. irrespective of religious
or political beliefs, for the protection and
perfection Of the American free common
! schools against all attempts to pervert or
destroy them, and for the defense of the
right and duty of the State to provide
elementary education for its future citi-
zenship, as indispensable to the perpetu-
ity of the existence of a republican form
of government.
The National League has opposed all
sectarian appropriations by the Ma
tiohal and State Governments, and is
pressing upon the attention of CONGRESS-
and OF the people of the republic a pro-
posed form Of Sixteenth Amendment to
the United States Constitution for the
purpose of permanently securing and
perpetuating the American principle of
separation OF church and State. The fol-
lowing is the wording of the proposed
Sixteenth Amendment:
mo State shall pass any law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibit.
ing the free exercise thereof, or use its
property or credit, or any money raised
by taxation or authorize either to he
used, for the purpose of founding. main
tanning or aiding, by appropriation, paw
ment for services, expenses, or otherwise.
any church, religious denomination or
religious society. or any institution. So
ciety, or undertaking which is wholly. or
in part, under sectar1an or ecclesiastical
CONTROL
We have protested against sectarian
appropriations by the National Govern
ment for Indian education, and have
explicitly stated our reasons, as YOU
will discover by perusing the documents
incloSed. In response to our apueal all
the large Protestant denominations saaye
withdrawn their applications for funds
from the national treasury to aid them in
prosecuting their denominationaI work
among the indians. If, by your wise and
authoritative advice the great church Won
represent shall promptly withdraw its
application for or its consent to receive
sectarian appropriations by the National
Government for its work among the In
dians, 1t will place itself i'll line not only
with The patriotic Protestant sentiment of
the country, but 1t will anticipate what
| is already the desire Of an overwhelming
majority OF the people, and what soon is
destined to become the demand of the
people upon Congress.
You Will find inclosed a copy of a
memorial which we addressed to the
Archbishops OF the Roman Catholic
Church i'll the United States, on the occa-
sion OF their recent meeting in New York
City, and the receipt OF which was ac-
knowledged by Cardinal Gibbons.
The relation of the churches to the
questions OF sectarian appropriations by
the National or State Legislatures. and
the character and the integrity of the
American free common school system
being among the most vital questions
| now under consideration by the patriotic
citizens OF this country, We respectfully
ask your Judgment in your representa-
tive capacity on the following questions:
/. Concerning the attitude of thirty
seven of the iorty-four States OF the
American Union which by their Consti-
tutions prohibit any diversion OF the
school fund.
,. Concerning the attitude of twenty
one OF these State Constitutions which
prohinit sect4rian appropriations.
). Concerning the proposed Sixteenth
Amendment to the United States Consti-
tuition, prohibiting sectarian appropria-
| tions by the States as sure method OF
protecting the school funds from division
on sectarian lines and of perpetuating
the conceded American principle OF sepa-
ration OF church and State.
! The highest authority of the great
Roman Catholic Church in this land, as