Daily American Organ

THE BIBLE AS A SCHOOL BOOK.

Mr. Editor: I have learned with much pleasure that a motion is pending before the Board of Trustees of our Public Schools, to make the Bible a school book for the pupils; and, as the Board is composed of Americans, there can be little doubt that the motion will prevail—for the free use of the Bible is an American as well as a Protestant doctrine.

But, I have heard it intimated that some of the members of the Board are opposed to the motion from the fear that it will cause Roman Catholic parents to withdraw their children from the public schools. Sir, I should be as deeply grieved as any man at those children being deprived of this excellent means of education—the public schools. But who will be to blame?

Is it reasonable, is it right, is it expedient, to deprive nine-tenths of the pupils of this incomparable means—the Bible—of moral and religious culture, to gratify the bigotry and the unreasonable notions and demands of the parents of the one-tenth part? If they are so fiercely set against the Bible as to be determined to withdraw their children, then, for my own part, I say, let them take them away. Their places will be filled by children of parents who have no objection to their imbibing the pure principles of republicanism and religious liberty, and freedom of conscience—in other words—the Americanism contained in that Book of books.

Sir, there has been a systematic effort making for years, all over the country, by the Romanists, and by those also who regard the morality and piety of a nation, as a paltry thing in comparison with the votes of Romanists in a political contest, to banish the Bible from the public schools. If the anti-Americans succeed at the next election here, they will of course have a Board of Trustees who will exclude the Bible. They cannot succeed, however, without the aid of many Protestants. Mr. Editor, for one I would be glad to see the question made the test at the coming election, viz: Bible or no Bible in the Public Schools? I would like to know the Protestants who should vote "No Bible."

But, I am told, the motion is not for confining the reading to the Protestant Bible; according to the wording of the resolution, any version or edition without note or comment may be used: nor is any pupil to be compelled to read in the Bible at all, whose parent or guardian shall make a written objection. One would think there could be no possible objection to this.

I send forth these few remarks to call public attention to what I look upon as a most important question,

Yours, &c.

READING.