The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-01

nal schemes.
This patriotic association says, I'VE
affirm our devotion to tho public school
system OF our country" The Significance
and appropriateness OF this declaration
are appreciated when We consider the
fact that in every community OF our
country there arc men who are either
antagontstic or Indifferent to our FREQ
schools. There are some who believe that
the growth and difusion Of knowledge
Is incompatible with individual and social
happiness. When VIC consider such men
in the light OF violation, or reason.
or human experience, they seem to US
but little more than idiots. To say that
the development and discipline OF the
faculties with which nature has en-
dowed human being Is incompatible
who made him with folly, The stupid
ity OF this idea Is thoroughly demon
strated by the effects which have fol-
lowed the growth OF educational i'd.
vantagcs.
RESTS UPON INTELLIGENCE
Ignorance IS the mother Of vice and
lawlessness. All free government rests
upon the Intelligence, virtue and love
OF its subjects and any FREQ govern
ment that provldUs q system Of education
for all classes OF Its subjects fortlfles
itself with their esteem, confidence and
affection.
In an address recently delivered be-
foro one OF the high schools, Of this city.
said what + do not hesitate to re-
peat here. Primary education for the
masses Is far better than higher Aeduca-
ton for the few, II we were incapable
Of supporting both free schools and
colleges, would say. with all the fervor
and emphasis that could put into words,
hold on to the free schools and let the
colleges and universities 60. But we
are abundantly, able to have both. No
friend of the free schools can have any
good reason for opposing colleges and
universities, and no supporter OF the
college and the university can have any
good reason for Being unfriendly to tho
free schools The States which have the
best free school systems have the best
colleges and universities, These inter-
ests are not Incompatible. but helpful
to each other Let every American
father and mother and every American
child give thanks to God for the prosperity
of our public schools and for what they
have done and are still doing for tho
promotion OF intelligence, virtue. patriot
ism and higher manhood in every region
OF our vast country.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
The Junior Order OF United American
Mechanics declare their unfaltering allie
glance and active support to tho great
principle Of religious liberty, They stand
for tho complete separation Of church and
state. They oppose governmental patron
ago Of any religion In any form, They
hslleve that any appropriation Of money
from the public treasury to any man OF
any association of men for religious pur-
poses Is a violation of the sacred rights
of conscience. All the sympathy and
support Of which I am capable shall
be given to any association Of men thor
oughly committed to this principle. We
have more religious freedom In this co,in-
try than is enjoyed anywhere else beneath
the sun, Tor this fact we should be
profoundly grateful to God. But no:lntel-
lgent man among YOU Will claim that
our religious freedom Is complete. II Is
stupid to deny that even in our country
religion stlll has the patronage of the
state. AS long rs orr national govern
ment Issues its commission to men to
preach the gospel and to do other relI-
gious work, and as long rs our State
md city governments make apnropria-
lions Of money for the work Of the relt-
gious scots. 1t Is folly to shy that there
ia not still, In some degree, mn alliance
between church and State iii orr country.
Religion needs nothing and should ask
nothing of civil government but protec-
tlon. II Is tile duty OF governments to
protect every ono Of its subjects In the
exercise of his religious belief whether
he be Protestant or Catholic, Jew or
Gentle. Mormon, buddhist or Nloham-
medan When 1t does more thantthis 1t
becomes despotic and puts its iron heel
on the human conscience,
This patriotic organization has Tho
opportunity Of making one OF the grand
est contributions that can ever he made
to human liberty. It is possible for It
TO secure the enforcement everywhere IN
this country of the doctrine embodied In
Iefferson's immortal statute OF rcll-
gous liberty 1T Is possible for this
organization to- increase It's numerical
strength to three millions, Three mill
lions OF American voters, solennly
pledged and determined ia abide by the
principles Of this order, would wipe out
In single year the last vestiga OF soy.
ernmentnl patronage Of religion, There
is scarcely a Federal or State Iegslayor
Iii all tho land who would dare to braya
the opposition OF such a patriotic cora
sination by voting for an appropria tloR