The Virginia enterprise., 1908-12-04

who does not look upon the staff of
teachers in the schools who sacri-s
flee their time and energy in thes
training of the youth, as competent
and a credit to US. ~. ~. zF sz
But as Catholics we don't want q.
Catholic history taught in the
schools, either here or anywhere in
America. The Catholic church in {
America has never asked for it or
desired or planned that it should
be so. We don't want or ask to have
the Catholic religion taught in the
public schools. If it were taught.
wecould not conscientiouslyob object;
but we do not require it. The church
has never desired to have controlsof
the public schools, nor need any
body fear for the future according
to the present status.
Here is what we want-neither the
church nor members of the church
want religion in the schools. Here
is what we object to, aud here is
why any objection was raised of
late to the work of the schools. We
don't want religion, either locally
or anywhere, taught in the schools,
and will give some reasons why
not. Religion in the schools would
take from them the name of public
and destroy their utility to the pub.
lie. For if religion was taught
therein it would be that of some
one denomination, leaving the
others either to conform or stay
away. Consequently the schools
now open to the public would be-
come monopoly, a prey or trust
to some one sect.
The trainers of the constitution of
the United States saw this and
therefore, IN their wisdom, they
framed law forbidding it. Side by
side with each other Catholics and
non-Catholics have sat in the max.
ing of the constitution; side by side
they fought and bled for liberty in
the schools and liberty of con-
science, and cay religion in the
school would undo their work. And
l might add here that facts will
back my statement that there never
would have been a Catholic school
built in this country were it not for
the narrow mindedness of some in
trying to force their views on reliR-
ion to be taught the children in the
public school to the destruction of
liberty OF conscience and the laws
of the constitution.
We have plenty of churches in
this town to teach all the religion
anyone wants. whether parent or
child, and think they are capable
of taking care of the question of
religion; if not, let the people i'm.
prove on them.
l respect every soul in town.. be
he Jew or Gentle, Catholic or Pro.
testant, who is faithful to his belief
l respect every map. even though
he does not show practical member
ship of any church, if he does what
is right as he sees it; but have no
respect for any man who wantonly
violates law, and particularly when
that law is the constitution of the
United States, the law of our nation,
the very essence of all just law,
which gives to our children the
scale of justice, declaring that her
foundation is equal rights to all
men and special privileges to none.
Resting securely on this founda-
tion and as part of the superstruc-
ture-the laws of Americans also
this law: Religion shall not be
taught in the public schools. And
let me say it religion is taught in
the schools the basic principle of
the constitution-equality and Jus.
tice-will fall to the ground. For
special privileges are handed out
to some and special insult to others,
for it must be one sided religion
that will wound the very soul of
those who do not believe in it. And
instead of teaching the children
Americas brightest hope, to love
and respect one another as young
Americans ought and build up in
them spirit of patriotism, it in
spires the spirit of hatred and dis.
sensiOn, sets class against class.
creates religious strife and lays the
Foundation trouble which is un-
doubtedly un-Amirican.
When the church wants religion
taught in her schools she builds
concluded on Page8)