The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1903-01-03

seemed possible for them to do to make the
work attempted successful aud useful The
support which has been thus given has been
largely iostrumental in efEectine the changes
which have taken place. Whole communi-
ties have been aroused TO the importance OF
school work and the necessity of having
better schools. The results have been seen
in the efforts which the teachers have made
TO improve themselves, the disposition which
is manifested to employ the best teachers
and continue them for a considerable length
of time in the same school, the supper,
which has been accorded terchers who arc
doing faithful work, the gain which has
been made in the average attendance. and
the improvement that is shown in the ex-
tent and quality of the work done. These
pastors are entitled to the most cordial ap
probation of all lovers of the common
schools for their interest in them and efforts
to improve them.
The conditions which exist in
the Acadian communities In
Maine are no doubt familiar to
many of.our readers, and it can
be easily understood by them
how much more difficult would
have been the task of the school
authorities if they had not been
assisted by the priests. Let it
be said to the glory of the repre-
sentatives of the church that
they welded their power for the
promotion of the great cause of
education.
Though further evidence is
not needed to show how effec-
lively the Catholic priests of
Maine have worked to build up
the Acadian schools, we are
pleased to print the following
letter written by Superintendent
Stetson in reply to an inquiry:
State of Maine, Educational De- !
Partment, Augusta, Nov. lo, 1902.
Dear Strive have settlement of
some twelve thousand French Acadians in
Northeastern Maine. They members
of the Catholic church. Several of the
priests in this part of the State have read
the circulars issued by this Department to
their people, after translating them into
French. They have most cordially and
seconded the efforts which have
been made to improving the local schools.
l wish to speak in the highest praise of the
assistance which they have rendered.
Yours truly,
w. w. SrErsoN.
Without the cooperation of
the church the State authorities
would have been greatly ham
pered in their efforts to give to
the Acadian boys and girls the
same educational advantages en-
joyed by the children of other
sections of Maine. Had the
Catholic priests, in whom the
repose implicit conf
dence, pursued a less enlightened
course, it is safe to say that the
majority of the Acadian children,
who are without the means to
private schools or col
eges, would to-day be hope
essly cropping in the darkness of
lliteracy.
AS was to be expected the
com bined efforts of the priests
md the school Off Gals have been
productive of the most beneficial
results. On this subject Su-
oerintendent Stetson says:
The circulars which have been sent to- the
eachers and school officials have been read
rom the pulpi:s of the churches, translated
ntn the language which the people under
tand, and the intlence of the spiritual adj
isers Of the people has been thrown heartily
nd effectively in favor of an honest COM
lance with the requests made and the ill.,
tructions given. The change which has
AIKEN place in these schools is hardly less
han revolution.
We find much more in Mr..
,tetson's pamphlet which we
would like to reproduce, but we
an not do so for lack of space.
However, enough has been given
0 show that the Acadians of I
Maine have been
lessed with spiritual advisers
hose conception of religion is
OF inimical to public educa-
on and who are evidently of ,
ne opinion that the church and
he school-house are the hand
laiQS of morality enliQhte Z