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Partly hy the Pupils • of tb« INDIAN SCHOOL of tliat Miwloiu . 1881. ^ X2: f '"S J ."3 ■■■^ni L ■^ y\ L SECULAR SCHOOLS VERsnva DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS FEINTED WITH THE PRESS OP SAINT MARY'S MISSION, B.C. Partly by the Pupils of tb« INDIAN (SCHOOL of (liafr If IfsiQa. •JL.. TO OUB READERS. Beintf aware that the puUie, generally, has not had the op- QprtiinUy of reading thA discussion which has lately arise^i on the important subject of Secular Schools versus Religious De- nominational Schools, loe deem it opportune to have saiddis- ousaion printed in pamphht form in m-der that a question of ■woh paramount impoiiance may he made knoivn to all who take interest in the education of the rising generation. The petition of the Catholic Bishops of this Province to the' Legislative Assembly being the source of the discussion, we shall place it at the head of our pamphlet, after which will foUmo the articks published lately on the same subject. We give them as they Iiave appeared in the pnblicpress without further copiment on our part, leaving them to the judgment if a fair and discerning public. L.J. D'HERBOMEZ^ O.M.L 109710 SECULAR SCHOOLS VBRSUS RELIGIOUS - DEI^OMINATIONAL SCHOOLS PETITION. lb th Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia. The humble petition of th^ CathoKo Bishops of British Co- lumbia, in the name of the Faithful under their spiritual juris- diction, imoWETH: First. That the Catholic population pajdng taxes for public school purposes do not receive anj benefit therefrom, as they are in conscience compelled to keep up their own schools in or- der to procure to their offspring such education as their Church requires. Second. That the School Law, as at present framed, is parti- ;zan, favouring only the sect of irreligionists; and in abolishing religious instruction in order to suit those who do not want it, such law oppresses those who do want religious instruction for their children. Third. That the absence of religious instruction in school does generally bring forth immoral youths, and consequently is a . source of evil. This is a fact acknoledged by Catholics and by non-Catholics. Fourth. That the present system of public schools requires poor people to pay for the schooling of the rich man's children; whereas the rich should pay for the instruction of their own children, and the State assist in educating the children of the ,poor. — 4- Fifth. That education is a duty beloUging to the pareuta of the childreD, not to the Statdf Sixth. That we beg of your honorable body to grant to the Catliolic minority in this Province the same educational advan- tages which the Protestant minority enjoys in the Province of Quebec. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honorable House favourably receive our request. And your petitioners will "ever pray. John B. BEONDEL, Bishop of "Vancouver Island. L. J. D'HEBBOMEZ, Yicar Apostolic of British Columbia. P. Paul DUEIEU, Aux. Bishop. SEPABATE SCHOOLS. Rrmftrki i)»m1« by tbt i). P. nsi^ALD »bout tho nbove P«tUion. The three Catholic Bishops of Britik . Columbia are po, fci^ioners before the Provincial Legislature for separate schools. It is hardly necessary to say that we are sorry these Bist r ^ should conceive such a step ^ef^aisite. The gravamen is that, while paying taxes for public schools equally with those who use them, the Catholics are in conscience compelled to keep up their own schools in order to procure to thtir offspring such education as their oivn Church requires. Now, isn't this a little too exclusive? Surely, tho Ca- tholic and Protestant youth, growing up side by side in a new country like this, are not so essentially different as to require that each shall have tlieir own everything. Let each have their own religion, by all means. But, with unfeigned respect for the opinions of the three Bishops, we are dis- posed seriously to question v/hether it would be in the true interests of either that the distinction should be carried to exclusiveness. Nay, we will go farther still, and question whether, even if they enjoyed the right prayed for, the Catholic inhabi- tants would, to any great extent, avail themselves of it. If they did, they would contradict history and experience. In Ontario the battle of separate schools for the Catholic mi- nority was fought and won; and what has been the practical — 6 — result ? According to official returns only a small percenta- ge avail themselves of this privilege. The petitioners ask for the same educational advantages on behalf of the Catholic population of British Columbia that the Protestant minority in the Province of Quebec enjoy. Considered as an abstract principle, this is fair enough. But is it practicable ? As an abstract principle, what is fair and just in Quebec or Ontario ought, one would think, to be fair and just in Columbia. But it by no means follows that what is practicable in these Provinces would be so here. In all friendliness and sincerity, we would ask their lord- ships, the petitioners, to look at the position of this wide- spread and thinly populated country, and say whether it would be practicable, within the bounds of reasonable ex- penditure, to carry into anything like efficient and general operation a State system of separate schools. We know the answer could only be in the negative. Taking Catholic and Protestant together, the grand diffi- culty with which the Government have to contend is the impossibility of gathering under one roof a sufficient num- ber of children to constitute or justify anything like a really efficient school, and it is owing to this condition that the cost of education is so disproportioned to numbers and results; and even now there are some settlements where, althougli possessing the legal number of children, they cannot liMve .siiblic mind is against it. It is not worth while, there- fore, to continue a discussion of this kind when so many really live issues demand attention. Before dismissing the subject, however, we would just take occasion to say that the term godless is not, after all, quite applicable to the present educational system. Let any^ one just take up the authorized text-books in use in our common schools and it will be found that the essential prin- ciples of the christian religion permeate them from begin- ning to end. EDITOR HEIIALD, Your correspondent. Bishop D'Herbomez, argues plan* sibly and arrives at his desired conclusion, but, (as is often done)— from false premises. Thus: — he assumes that our — 17 — Common Schools are Protestant, whereas we all know they neither Catholic nor Protestant, but purely secular pnd un- denominational, with no sectarian bias. To use the good Bishop's words, 3)ery system should stand on Us own merits. Just so; aud we are prepared, if need be, to show on the score of public morality, it would be no im- provement to have separate schools for the denomination in question. Facts and figures abound in support of our posi*. tion, and can be produced. But that would only introduce undesirable religious discord. Then the quality of the schools so divided would be so much the poorer; and of all things deliver us from a poorj cheap, school teacher. Besides, Sir, why should we regulate ; / school system by that of any other province? —touch less of Quebec ! We might as reasonably regulate our Liquor-Licencing system by the laws of some provinces where prohibitionists hold sway. Our temperance friends may desire prohibition on the grounds of public morality, but the hotel-keepers would justly resent the idea that other provinces should be our right and lawful standard of aiitliority, as we do in educa- tional afifairsi *X. X. Zv DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLSI. •«! New-Wwtuiliwtor, n.C, Tfny 2d, '41. ^ Sir, — In yoiiy rop^arks made on my communication hoji' ring on tljie all important subject of education, you say: Separate Schools doea not, after all, constitute a live issue, no to speak. That such may be the case with you and your co-reli- gionists, we have cogent reason to believe, but do not see therein a motive to conclude that separate schools do not constitute a live issue for the Catholic minority of this Pro- vince. It is precis»ly because separate schools do constitute a live issu0 for the CaiJiolic minority that we have thought proper to draw the attention of the honorable Members of the Legislative Assembly to the subject, trusting thereby to obtain a remedy for the grievances complained of. I am rather of opinion that neither you, nor your corres- poiident, X.Y.Z. thoroughly understand the question, nor have you viewed it in its true light : had you done so, we are quite satisfied that you would not disregard it as a thing of little value. We may conclude from your tone that our common school system suits well the Protestant majority, and, according — 19 — to your y.X.Z. correspondent's opinion, they also suit those wlio do not want religion in them. Suppose, for instance, that there were a province in the Dominion of Canada in which the majority, being Catholic, would take it on themselves to establish an educational sys-. tern to suit their Catholic population, or (God forbid it), t far confident that, if not influenced by other motives than those of justice and fair play, the people in general, judging with fair common sense, will be in favor of our just cause. — 20-« Let the public know that we neither desire to interfere with their parental righst, nor influence them in any parti- cular with regard to their sending their children to our com- mon schools, that is a responsibility resting on themselves us parents. • What we ask is simply this : to have a pv rata of the educational fund (to which Catholics contribute their part) for Catholic schools, wherein their children may learn at least as much as is taught in common schools. It is evident you have not given the matter due conside- ration, when you have no hesitation in saying that there is not the digJitest danger of any Government^ at least /or many years to come, attempting to give British Columbia free secta^ rian schools;— first, because the expense luouMhe too great, and, secondly, because the public mind is against it^ We have already stated that we have no fear so far as the public mind is concerned, provided the public be duly in- formed beforehand. And we should deeply regret, for the honor of the Pro- vince, that the present Oovernment should not listen to us, or ignore our just and reasonable demand; should it do so, it would not only prove itself partizan, oppressive, and un- just, but also intolerant, at least less tolerant tlian the Ca- tholics of the Province of Quebec (although your correspon- dent X.Y.Z. seems to think that nothing good can emanate — 21 — from Quebec) , and also less tolerant than other provinces of the Dominion, where there can be found good precedents on this all important question of education. I can assure you that the Catholic Bishops are the first to acknowledge that it would be unwise to follow the example of other provinces in] promulgating bad or obnoxious laws, ^vere there any in which such laws exist. But when laws of other provinces are considered, both by Protestants and Ca- tholics, good and equitable, we do not see why our Govern- ment should hesitate to imitate them. I trust your correspon- dent X. Y.Z. himself will acknowledge i;hat this would be the proper course to pursue. I would have much to say to X. Y.Z. Let him give his own views on the question of education, and sign his proper na-^ me, then, and only then, may he expect a reply from us. For the present, I will be content to draw his attention to the fact (in eaf-'e he might forget it) that old calumnies are not argu- ments, but merely weak weapons too often used in defense of a bad cause.- I can scarcely understand- lioNv you can agree with your X.Y.Z. corresi)ondent, contradicting each other as you seem to do. Your having, in your first article on Separate schools, asked the question: Why is it (the present educational systen"*) godless? In your last article on the subject you say : « Before dismissing the subject, however, we would just take occasioii n to say that the tern^ gofilm is not, after all, quite applicable* to the present educational system. Let any one just take the authorized text books in use in our common schools, and it will be found that the ps^eniial principles of fhe Christian religion permeate them frpm beginning to end* Whereas, your correspondent, X.Y.Z., says: «We ail know they (our common schools) are neither Catholic nor . Protestant, but merely secular and undenominational, with .no sectarian bias. ?» You may decide this tjueBtic-^ between yourselves ; per- mit me only to suggest that you be logical with X. Y.Z., jest you might give him grounds this time to accuse his adversa- ry of arriving at his desired conclusions, as is often done, from false premises. You may be correct, after all, in your opinion of our com- mon schools, and consequently X. Y.Z. in error; but rest as- sured it it quite indifferent to the Catholic minority who. want neither tlje pretended ^itre/;?/ secular schools of your cor- respondent, nor yours, wherefrom many of the essential principles of their religion are excluded. In both cases, our grievances would remain unredressed. In conclusion, we must observe that the question whether the free denominational system of schools would not after all be thq..best and least expensive, is yet open for discussion. Yo^ have said the expense in the case of the free sectarian -V f 4^ I — 23 — schools would be too great, but your ipse dixit is not a proof. Moreover, the question is not there, but simply this : Are the Catholics justified in asking tie Government of this Pro- vince to grant them a pro rata of the educational fund, for the maintenance of Catholic schools. And wDuld not the said Government do well in granting to the Catholic minority what they pray for, thereby giving the best p"cof that the Government of British Columbia is as tolerant, impartial and just as other Governments of our Dominion of Canada? L.J. D'HEBBOMEZ, O.M.I. Bishop, V.A. of B.C. »»«aoOOoc*'= APPENDIX. itm^sm In following tlie discnssion which has lately occapied the attention of the House of .the Legislative 'AssemWy of this Province on the all important question of education, we have with much pleasure observed that many ^of the Hon, Members appear to understand that godless and purely secular schools are, as experience proves, calculated to produce ge- nerally a class of hoodlums and other evils which tend to effect by slow but sure degrees the ruin of social order, and consequently that truly christian parents should choose for their children. We sincerely hope that the Hon. Members who have the prosperity and welfare of this Province at heart will not confine themselves to the mere introduction of some brief form of prayer into the public schools. We cannot see any reason why they should not adhere to the wise maxims of eminent statesmen both protestant and catholic who perfectly agree that religion is essential in schools, in order to procure a good and advantageous edu- cation for their children. Men of true wisdom and much experience acknowledge that to attempt to bring up the rising generation without religion or knowledge of their duties towards God, their — 25- iicigliTpour and themselves, is in reality nothing less thap setting thett^ adrift on the tempestuous sea of this world, without compass, exposed to a sad and unevitable shipwreck and utter ruin; hence it is that the truly wise and enlighten- ed rulers of ^ations have approved of religion as an essen- tial element in schools for the better education of youth. We shall not enter into detail; we give but a few instances. In England, the mother patria of this Province, for exam- ple, they have'^adopted a purely and exclusivelj secular school system as a kind of monopoly for the citizens who do not want religion into the public schools. The English Statesmen are too fond of justice in the matter of education not to acknowledge the rights of liber- ty and equality in such an important affair. The words jus- the, liberty and equaliti/ are not empty words in their esti- mation. Thus it is that, while they support public schools which are neither purely nor exclusively secular, they do not refuse a liberal subvention to denominational schools where reli- gion is taught, and parents are at liberty to send their chil- dren to the school of their choice. We have an other example in the Island of Ceylon, an English colony, where the schools are denominational, and where each school secures from the State a pro rata of the Educational fund. ■!^:j^ — 26 — In tliG Island of Maurice, an other English colony, they have common schools supported by the Government, but the State gives a liberal subvention to the schools of each religious denomination and establishes schools only in such places where there were no others. Nearer home, we see that in the Province of Ontario the Protestant, in their love of liberty and equality, have adop- ted the separate school system, thus giving entire satisfaction to the just and reasonable demands of the Catholic mino- rity. It is also w^ell known that in the Province of Quebec the Protestant minority are enjoying the same educational ad- vantages as the Catholic majol^ity. The State awards the same protection to each religious denominatioi3 ; in fact it unites itself with the different creeds and in matters of education does not authorize any atheistical or Godless schools, but if it asks that the school be chris- tian in order to entitle it to a subvention, it does not insist that t should belong to either one Church or the other ; ent: • freedom is left to the respective creeds, consequently perfect harmony and good will reigns among the people. The Statesman of that Province know by oxperience that a sincere Christian is a good citizen, and combine their efforts With the Churches to obtain a true national educa* — 27 — t«onal system, which gives the surest guarantee of prosper- ity tor the present and the future. Such system works satis- factorily not only with regard to the the advantages of edu- cation, but also as regards the peace and harmony amongst the religious creeds. It has recently been declared by Specialists of the Paris Exhibition who have been charged to examine the existing educational systems in vogue throughout the world that the elementary system in the Provinee of Quebec is one of the most perfect in existence, and have in consequence awarded to it four bronze medals and four diplomas. The same system of education with some modifications has been adopted in the new Province of Manitoba. It is far from our intention to presume to dictate to the Hon. Members of the Legislative Assembly the best educa- tional system to adopt for this Province. We simply give a feu- precedents which we consider worthy of imitation, and respectfully submit the same to their wise and prudent con. sideration. The systems above referred to are, no doubt, the result' of deep thought and enquiry of conscientious men of State. Every place where they have been carried out, they have given much satisfaction to the people who enjoy the benefit of its influence ba.sed as they are on the principles of jus- tice, liberty and equality. — 28 — Should the Hon. Members of tiie Legislative Assembly adopt the same principles, we have every reason to believe that they would obtain the same satisfactory results. Ooiiig therefore teach ye all nations. MaWi, XXIIL i