Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-08
Editors Letter Box
AN IMPORTANT MEASURE
Editor Kennebec Journal:

Editor Kennebec Journal:
The Maher Bill, SO called, propos-
ing a constitutional amendment pro-
hibiting the use of public money for
educational purposes in institutions
not under public control is one of the
most important measures ever before
the people of the State; and it's
adoption means progress, while its
rejection will be a step backwards.
There are no religious questions in
volved in this measure, except to
demagogues, who are always ready
to appeal to any kind of prejudice,
real or imaginary. for the purpose
of gaining a few votes. If the
majority of the people understood the
significance of ecclesiasticism, and
what it has done for the world, there
would be no want of constitutional
provisions of this character, and
probably less need of them than
there is at the present time; but
enough is known to induce a ma
jority Of the States to enact such
provisions, and Maine should not lag
in the rear.
1t is but "a step from the present
civilization to the middle ages, when
people could be cut to pieces and
burned at tho stake for holding in
dependent opinions on religious
questions; and it would not take very
long to get back to those times If
ecclesiasticsm were to be given con-
troll of all education, public and pri-
vate. The authorization law of
Tennessee, which has been followed
in some other States. is a danger
signal, and will produce dire result5
If not checked by the Judiciary, or
otherwise.
1t Is not necessary to look very far
to see what ecclesiastical education
will accomplish; for, in the State
that produced Franklin and Adams,
Quakers have been publicly beaten
for refusing to attend Puritan
churches; its Legislature, sitting as a
criminal court, has sentenced two
women, residents of Boston, to death
for the impossible crime of being
witches; and one of it's most dis
tinguished clergymen was the NOV
ing spirit in the hanging of the
witches in Salem, Mass, not so very
long ago. But the witchchaft delus-
ion, and many other absurdities, from
which humanity has suffered, were
the direct and natural result of
ecclesiastical education. But things
have changed for the better since
secular education got in its work.
Human beings are no longer burned
for entertaining religious opinions
of their own; Quakers are no longer
beaten and sold into slavery, for
nlinding their own business; no SEN
sible people now believe in witches;
nor have they any desire to inter-
fere with the religious opinions of
others. The divine right of kings
has given away to assemblies and
conventions; while the plague,
cholera, and many other terrible
pests of the past have yielded to
science. results which have been
accomplished by secular education,
and which, if let alone, will bring
about other changes of which the
world is sadly in need
If all teaching were in accordance
with knowledge; all Investigations in
accordance with nature; and all
actions in accordance with con-
science. the world would not be filed
with warfare and crime. Ignorance
and crime are natural partners.
Weeks Mills, Maine, Sept. 8, 1926.
E. w. Philbrick.