The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-08
Roman Catholic Colleges Defended.


citation of Catholic colleges INDUCED In by
Mr. Lee in your paper of Sunday
In the first place, does the gentleman think
himself sufficiently qualified to sit in judg-
ment on Catholic colleges in general, after
having examined the papers of eleven can
ddates, only two Of whom had received
their B A?
His power OF deduction must indeed he
wonderful If, from such scant material he
is able to arrive at so broad conclusion
He tells us that these candidates were men
who stood very high in their respective classes
pace tdnf riri. but how does he know? Has
he made inquiries at these institutional
What college is there in America catholic
or Protestant. or. If you wish. non-sectarian,.
but turns out now and then men who. il put
to the test. would cause their Alma Mater
to blush? When meet such men. as have
time and again. what right have to condemn
forthwith the college that has given them
what little they know?
In the college of which Christ was the
founder and teacher there were but twelve.
and one Of them was decided failure Was
the fault With the college? Nor is Mr. Lee
Justified in ,condemning Catholic colleges
met with some who seemed deficient, even in
rudimentary knowledge Only a short time
ago met a Harvard man. a bachelor Of arts.
philosophy, IL any. he had studied, | could
give many instances OF the same character,
none OF whichever taken collectively in
clined me to pass adverse criticism on Har-
ward
SO much then for Mr. Lees general state
ments. and now let uS look at some Of his
more particular assert >ns.
eminent, in the ma r Of appointing teach
ers in the Philippin came for the most part
from Irresponsible Catholic editors, who are
pN~r At1t uft Iva .Nf Tnf halt ttFrf
and sentiment in these United States than Is
Mr.. Lee in his stand on Catholic colleges
Very. few Catholic college. mon applied for
Why should they? Is not teaching in Their
profession?,, The fact that the, number Of
schools is increasing every day is In itself
the best answer to Mr.. Lees sweeping as
sertions.
New York city alone Furthermore, none Of
her sons who has ever tried the examinations
fying colors Moreover. II must be remem-
hered. y Is not, as a rule. the brightest stu
dents who seek appointments as teachers, but
those who feel the necessity Of finding en-
Ssral' Professions hold out no entcements 1'
Mr. Lees letter would lead one to believe
that the faculties Of Brighton and Dun
woodic are frequently forced to refuse nd
mittance to students from Jesuit colleges
because Of lack OF scholarship Such a
statement is without foundation. II NAV
n common occurrence. MIR Lee should be
at more pains to acquire certain information
before rushing into print with such a state
ment.
pressed because Ignorance should follow
them catholic college mem through life
Let him not needlesslv depress himself Tn"
average graduate from Catholic college has
in the past and will in the future, forge to tho
front in whatever profession he NAV enter
For proof of the first part Of this statement
and n presage of the second. let him be pres.
ent Mt the next reunion of the alumni Of Man
haitian, the most representative Catholic ocl-
lege in New York city, and let him note there
the large number Of men. prominent In eeS
affairs Of Greater New York. Congressman.
Judges. attorneys and physicians. who's"
hiGh position in public Affairs 6cspeak' TIER
Mater evidences their appreciation of Catho-
lie education w. NJ ID
UTICA, July g.
To THE EDITOR or THE SrN Sir: Mr.
John Dwight Lees extracts from papers
submitted by students from Roman Catholic
schools were indeed amusing, hut mus
enter a word OF protest against he conclusion
which he wishes your readers to draw from
these extracts.
Because these students displayed such
Ignorance is no reason whv our splendid
Catholic schools, colleges and CONv"nts
should he condemned The teachers in these
institutions, particularly the Jesuit colleges,
are men Of profound learning and marked
teaching ability. | am not familiar with ihN
cours" of study Of all the teaching Ordrrsot
the Church. but a thoughtful examination
of the Ratio StudOrum" Of IN" le-uits and
an inquiry into their method Of teaching
will convince any one that the IcsUlt-, at least,
know their subjects and the best methods
OF teaching them.
In n large body of students there will. or
necessity. be some who ARE under the avcraE"
In Intelligence and rcCeptivity. IL l. TIA" cA-e
in our public schools why not in Catholic N
stitutions? II would be nlnmlcstly unfair
to Judge of the instruction given in any sChou.
by the performances Of some OF it, - ud"nt7
Many of our public school teachers would u"
disturbed II they We're certain that tn"lr
learning, their efforts and their teachlng
pupils requirements.
# Mr.. Lee would publish some of the pap"r'
from other students OF other institutions, "'
should be able 10 make Il comparison, hul $50
VI our Catholic schools nre so very far below
the average as he would hav" Us believe.
Let me- add that the Catholics who SCI
their boys and girls to schools Of their nN
know thoroughly we'll what they are do"-
They can Judge Of the progress of their 'h.
dren and are we'll satisfied to contribute " B.
Of their limited means" for the rducltlo',
moral and secular. of their children ".
they do very well. these children OF tntholN
schools. Witness the faCt that h" first Geo
pupil. and that in the recent Normal Coll"S'
examination the Catholic schools gave tire
honor students 10 every two OF the pupW'
schools. CONSTANTLY BLAKE