The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-10-08

what is called American principle, VIC come
again to another view OF sectarianismone distinct
from the abstract proposition. 1t is one that
vitality interests Catholics of Salt Lake, because a
considerable number of their children attend the
public schools room in Catholic schools being in
adequate 1t has been learned upon authority
which can be substantiated with proof,
that in one of the public schools Of
Salt Lake, Catholic children obliged
to hear their religion debased by class teacher
This one teaches" history How many like her
(the person is woman) are among the teachers
of history in public schools, we can not state
at present. Never mind some day the number will
be known.
If it be against American principle to teach
religion in public schools, it should be against
American principle to attack the religion of any
Christian or Jewish denomination. 1t is injecting
species of sectarianism into public education diff
fering from the abstract kind only in this par
ticular-that it proceeds from malice, and is born
of a lie.
The I. person who inActs such history
upon the pupils in one of our schools,
does not quote from any accurate or
standard historian. She holds to her own view, or
the view of her sect, in teaching children the
meaning of Catholic doctrine, especially indulg
ences. She delights most in dwelling upon the
troublous times of the Reformation and the
stormy reigns of the Stuarts According to this
teacher of history, indulgences were purchased to
condone crime, to permit adultery; and with the
fabulous proceeds the Church was enabled to erect
those splendid temples of maedieval times. St
Peters at Rome finished by such unholy
means. Only one exception to this rule of sale
mace by the Pope. Henry VIII asked for an in
diligence to commit something awful but the Pope
bucked. Even to this day, she says, the Pope con-
tinues thessale of indulgences.
Much more does this sectarian historian utter,
to the confusion of the Catholic child obliged to
listen and to the destruction of truth in the mind
OF the non-Catholic pupil. But what is stated
above is sufficient. 1t leaves no doubt that the
charge Of sectarianism is ample and can be sus-
tanned
What are going to do about it?
This we may do, and should do as Catholics.
First, let it be known that in the total of taxes
paid for the support Of non-sectarian schools,
Catholics of Salt Lake City and county pay more
per capita than the members of any other religious
denomination. Second, Catholics should demand
that none but competent teachers be employed |
Third, competency comprehends persons familiar
with accurate and standard history; bigotry is the
reverse of an unbiased, teaching mind. Finally, |
insist that''secarianism, in any and every form, |
shall be excluded from the public schools
The attention of the Board of Education is |
respectfully but urgently called to this complaint
We stand ready to produce the proof. If no mem
Der of the board calls for it. VIC shall furnish it in
any event, 1t is no personal matter We're it so,
he name of the teacher and the school would APP
bear with this editorial There exists no desire to
'ob any woman of livelihood, not even though
he be bigot