The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-07-18
Just Among Ourselves
Passing Comment Considered or ineonsidersts

1t would be interesting to know just what goes
IN the minds of some of more articulate edu-
Gators Distressing too. Whatever that system Of
cerebration may be, it isn't logic it isn't reasoning,
it isn't thinking in the customary sense of that
word And its product is neither justice ordin-
ary American decency.
A lady educator frankly states her own objective,
and evidently thinks it ought to be the prime OBJ
jective of the National Education Associaton,-to
squeez out of existence the Catholic schools of the
nation. This, to be sure has been the under-cover
aim Of most anti-Catholic agitation for good many
years. This, and the effort to create division
between the Catholic laty and THEN Bishops.
The attempt to strike the shepherds that the
sheep may be dispersed is supplemented by en-
deavor to fence out the younger sheep from some
of their proper pasturage All in the name of free
dom, Of course; all shining example of true
democracy at work
Why is the lady opposed to Catholic schools? If
she thinks they not good schools, she confesses
degree of ignorance surprising even in an educa-
tor The product of American Catholic schools has
always stood in more than favorable comparison
with the product of state Schools mistakenly called
public schools. Whether the point of consideration
be scholarship rounded preparation for life,
soundy patriotic training the Catholic schools stand
in triumphant comparison with all others. In our
own day, two world and one oriental police
action evidence truth proved by entire history:
that the product of Catholic schools, and Catholic
training generally bear good deal more than their
proportionate share of the nations defense.
This is not surprising for Catholic education
stresses the truth that patriotism is duty before
God, not mere matter of sentiment enthusiasm,
and waving of the flag. Catholic education sanely
shows that Gods Providence is manifest in the fact
Of citizenship, ip,-whether acquired by birth or by
free choice,-and that the legitimate government
of ones country is to be duly served and defended,
even at the cost of considerable personal sacrifice
Catholic is taught to be good citizen to pay his
taxes to serve his country not because of police
force or current public sentiment but because
il is duty for the discharge of which he is respon.
sble TO Almighty God
Why then is the lady educator opposed to Ca
thoiic schools? If she says they are not American,
she lies. We have just seen that their Americanism
is sound and solid quality not a frothy senti-
ment What can explain the proposed effort to put
Catholic schools out of existence? Bigotry eX-
plain H. tyranny explain it, political and social
totalitariansm explain il; nothing other
explain It, Are to suppose that the lady educator
takes for granted that the aims and ideals of the
National Education Association are bigotry, tyranny,
and totaitariansm?
But they say our schools are "diyisive" This is
strange charge 10 come from Protestant source,
for the core and central dogma OF Professionalism
is special type of dvisveness,- another name for
which Is private judgment on the meaning OF re
Vealed truth" Only IN the matter of truth is there
need for absolute solidarity and In that conduct
which expresses and manfests truth There is field
for otalitarianism dor instance in our attitude to-
wards the multiplication table, and there is field
for dvsvenesS Qor instance, between republicans
and DemocratS). A who brown suit
when blue is the prevailing style is dyisye Is he TO
be condemned therefore? Does the lady want us. in
nT
shout He'll" at the command of Fuehrer? Any
thing else is divisiye
The recent convention in Chicago has shown, and
the coming one will show, united people in riot
of divisiveness We all hold with totalitaran and
adamantine conviction, that our country is worth
saving that it, peace and prosperity goals to be
achieved. But tquite apart from trickery and dis
honesty which appears here and there the whole
action OF parties, and groups within parties, is a
wild exhibition of divisiveneSs. To hold all tota
tarianiSm evil, and all diSunon evil is to make all
possible modes of action evil. Educators and others
will please make up their minds They will find
aid and one trusts, comfort in the distinction made
by normal mind which sees an area where unity
is indispensable, and an area where variety is
requisite.
A Catholic thanking God for the gift of faith
knows that he possesses the and only religious
truth. This is the most important thing of all. He
prays that all men may come to know il and EN-
brace IT, He prays with Christ that there may be
fold and shepherd He recognizes the con
Sequent and unique truth in the unique and divine
authority OF the Church set up by God-made-Man
to teach men truth and to guide their lives toward
eternal heaven Thus the Catholic recognizes the
supernatural and divine field of abSolut of certain
ty, of truth, and of ifes proper purpose and con-
duct But merely human natural system of
life or government has this absolute value Here is
A field for divlsveneSS.
There are natural and human thngs-such as
mathematics and the realm of worthy ideals
which demand unity of attitude and action. But
there millions of human things in which the
widest variety is not only possible but inevitable
Ii was St Augustine notable Catholic and Ca
tholic educator. who said In things necessary
unity; in things uncertain liberty: in all things
charity" The last phrase Is recommended to the
particular attention of the lady educator who woule
crush our schools out of existence.