Evening star., 1947-12-09


Is joyous event, not because it is q holiday,
which is subordinate, but rather it Is holiday
because 1t Is Christmas and the appropriate
time to honor the birth Of Christ, q joyous
occasion. To divorce the Nativity from Christ
mas Is to mock and defile the glorious event
and make Of it another secular holiday
GEORGE r. DALTON.
To the Editor Of The Star:
find it difficult to understand the apparent
conclusion reached in your editorial of Decem-
ber concerning the question OF observing
Christmas customs in our public schools, since
your observations are not directly intended to
apply to New York City alone.
Public education Is at public expense. The
public here means those enjoying the pro-
lection, rights and privileges resulting from
what our Nation as q whole, determines
through its laws as q continuation of those
fundamentals and purposes laid down by the
founding fathers. Until such fundamentals
and purposes are changed through legislative
enactment or force, they remain in full effect.
What, then, are those fundamentals? They
are many and widely known. But first and FORE
most, and what all too often seems to be
forgotten nowadays in the intensity Of inter-
racial ambitions, is that the United States was
Nation, not Hindu, Jewish, Moslem or other
non-Christian belief
The magnihcence of the United States is
that as Christian Nation, 1t practices the
precepts of Christ, being haven of refuge for
all peoples, regardless Of religious beliefs and
being tolerant and understanding and generous
In the public administration of its laws accord
ing to the precepts of Jesus, the founder Of
Christianity
True, the early settlers in the Colonies sought
economic as well as religious freedom and
opportunity. But when the political freedom of
the Colonies was won, it was upon the basic
declarations of Christian beliefs that the Ma
ton was founded, and the public documents
and utterances of the leaders of the times
reiterated the fealty of the new Nation and
its peoples to Christian belief.
Therefore, If this Nation OF ours is Chris
tian Nation first, 1t is but natural that Chris
tan practices should be emphasized in all our
public behavior. Those who do not wish to
observe such practices, are privileged not to
do 80. But actively to forbid or interfere with
them as practices, under the guise of this or
that, personal freedom is distortion of what
personal freedom means and denial Of the
primacy OF Christian beliefs In the conduct
of our Nation, G. D. LARNER.
To the Editor of The Star:
The controversy which is revived every year
as to whether to sing Christmas carols in the
public schools is a tempest In teapot, in my
opinion
Tunes and rhythms in these carols are beau-
tiful I doubt whether children, even the
brightest of them, pay much attention to the
words in songs. Or, for that matter to the
words in prayers either.
LAURA x. POLLOCK.
Browne School Parent States Case
TO the Editor Of The Star:
This is = letter from an unfortunate parent
unfortunate in that have to walk q picket
line for my children to have equal rights.
went to meeting Of the Board Of
Education a few weeks ago, and heard the
discussion concerning part-time students. The
decision Of the board was: "Giye elementary
schools to be used as space to relieve the
crowded conditions ut Browne Junior High
School,"
Inspecting the gift schools" found they
were located nine to fifteen blocks from
Browne School. I am not in favor Of accept
ing these schools First, the students are
not escorted to the schools by teachers or
poncemen, SECOND, lney nave TO Cross one
| OF the busiest streets in that section Of the
city, thereby endangering themselves in trafhc,
and, third they have to make the trip In all
sorts Of weather.
The Board Of Education said 1t would take
two or more years to alleviate the crowded
conditions In the schools. But during the
war, right here In Washington, buildings,
| ranging from one to three blocks In size were
built In q short time. They were necessity.
| Isn't 1t just as necessary to have schools with
| adequate facilities and equipment to produce
| good citizens as 1t was to have buildings
required to night q war?
To the parents of the white children, I
say, please don't feel that we are envious
or hold any grudge against you for the schools
| you have We think, as citizens Of the Capital
Of the greatest Nation on the earth. you
| deserve the best. On the other hand, We
| think We, too. deserve the best for our
| children"
To the people Of Washington, say, please
/ give us your support In this fight We will
/ not use or condone the use Of force Of any
kind. Through picket lines and prayer We