The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-04-25

among earlier propagandists
against the independent school,
president Conant," he declar-
ed, "does not say, as some others
have said that he merely objects
to tax help for children who at
tend independent schools like pa
rochial schools. He does not even
suggest that his objection is to the
standards maintained in such
schools. His objection is to the pa
rochial and private schools as
such.
'He sets forth clearly his convic-
tion that those who believe in
democracy or in American prin-
ciple' should not argue about tax
support or about standards, but
should take the position that the
independent school, whether it
pays for itself or not, whether it
meets standards or not, is an Of
fense against democracy viola
tion of American principle as DR..
Conant and his associates now de-
fine democracy and American
principle
"a person familiar with the his
tory of education in Massachusetts,
must have difficulty believing his
own ears when he is told that the
concept of aid to children in re-
| ligious schools is some new phen-
omenon, and when he is told that
private schools, and particularly
private schools operating on re.
ligious basis have recently
brought 'cleavages' and 'divisive
attitudes into American society
particularly in the last 20 gears.
Lesson In History
Archbishop Cushing recalled that
even before there was possibility
of establishing parochial schools in
Massachusetts, the Great and Gen
eral Court had concerned itself
with the spiritual education of the
people-in other words, indoctrin
alton at State expense in the teach
ings of Congregationalism.
Also recalled by Archbishop
Cushing was the fact that during
the colonial period in Massachus
etts, when toleration had been es
tablished for all but Roman Cath
olics, the teaching of religious sub
iects and the training of religion:
spirit were considered fundament
ally important in all the schools
whether unsupported or not.
"None of us would wish a return
to the relations between Church
and State which then existed ir
Massachusetts, or to the control o.
civil authority over pulpit ant
school, or the control of the pulpit
over civil authority which existed
in our State when it was Protest
ant Puritan Commonwealth" Arch
bishop Cushing said. mo one
Catholic, Protestant, or other
would wish such a turning bacl
of the clock of history.
''But it is little astonishing Il
be told by the eminent speaker tina
in recent years 'divisive attitudes
have been brought into the com
munity by our schools-by tnde
pendent schools, built and sup
ported by ourselves, with neithe
State grants nor other State aid
except that which the State give
for the general defense agains
fire, disease, and like hurt to al
citizens and institutions within it
confines"
Sin OF Omission
Archbishop Cushing chided DR.
Conant for not having made S,
much as a passing reference "t,
the past 300 years of educationa
history in MASSACHUSETTS with its ad
mission restrictions of a complete
ly non-academic character, and it
ingrained caste system"
at took long, long time--th
time required for the poor final,
to build their own private school
before a university president wa
heard to announce that privat
religious schools are inconsisten
with American democracy" tn
Archbishop stated, adding:
"Some Of those whe heard tina
announcement must have com
from cities within the United State
where Catholic nuns have lon
been teaching Colored childreI
who, until very recently, were pre-
vented by 'divisive attitudes i
their communities from receivin
any chance for education propoI
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