The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-30

geology should have been stopped at the
outset or be suspended now
The character Of tie teacher. and not
the scope OF the inquiry. is Of most conse-
ouence TO the student. Speculation upon
TIE origin OF creation. the purpose OF the
Creator. and the object OF mans existence
can be pursued Ia the most reverent spirit
But the same consideration should indu-
ence the authorities Of university In So
lecting a teacher Of constitutional history
and the laws Of the country. In TIE hands
OF m injudicsous teacher. much mischief
could be done. The present condition Of
the country and its practical government
could be derided and held up to contumely
until our schools should become a hotbed
OF political incendiarism- In the hands Of
srothe<. all that Il good in our form Of
government and its purposes-and there Is
so much that is good in them-could be
presented to the students in manner that
would turn out patriotic citizens and lovers
OF the institutions Of the country. Yet
rhey are not perfect-they are far from
perfect-and q wise and prudent teacher
would point out the Incidental defects
with the object OF aiding in eliminating
them through the enlightenment Of the
future citizen.
The objection to the teaching Of religious
dogmas In public schools is not based upon
desire to breed irrelision. but to afford
education upon ell subjects free from re-
hgious bias. The purpose is to make the
public schools the resort Of the children OF
all creeds. leaving to the parents and to
the churches the propagandism Of their
several beliefs. When. however, young
men and young women have arrived at an
age and capacity for studies such AZ a
university should afford. they are neces-
sarily confronted with the facts concern
ing the different faiths of the world. and
their minds should be opened to the COM
parison Of the fundamental doctrines upon
which faith is founded.
To pursue that inquiry In an irreverent,
scoffing and materialissic vein would b
ciety. and should be earnestly resisted In
every country resting its social structure
upon the essential truths OF Christianity
not the dogmas Of a church. but the
truths which underiie all religions. oven
the restricted resources Of the state uni
versity form no excuse for departing from
this course, ard any attempt to defy pub
lie opinion. to ignore the strong sentiment
against infidelism Of the God-denying
school, will result in the destruction OF
the university as an institution Of learn
Ing. 1t would be no less fatal to restrict
1t within the limits Of sectarian college.
The subject Is a most serious one. The
establishment Of a broad school Of adj
vanced education calls for the wisest and
most careful management. Other states
are advancing in the estimation Of the
people through the character Of their uni
versities. and the reputation Of their
faculties is carefully considered by par
ents No institution OF this kind can be
better than Its directing influences. and
the university OF Washington cannot be
subjected to a mistaken direction with
out suffering seriously-so seriously that
1t would take many years to recover it,
lost prestige.