Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 233
immodest, however decidedly they may be opposed
to the schools."
" Were Protestant ministers of any church to pur-
. sue a similar course, they would be hissed out of
community. But from some cause or other, we put
up with indecency, presumption and egotism, coming
trom the Romish clergy, that we would by no means
tolerate in anybody else."
"With regard to the common schools, we hardly
know yet how they will work; for my own part, I
would be better pleased with them if they had something
more of a religious caste."
"In this system of popular education, as I understand
it, it is intended that children be left free from
all sectarian influence, and simply furnished with
that knowledge which all consider essential. To my
mind, it argues well for this system that it everywhere
receives the hearty approval of the impartialpersons
swayed by no religious prejudices. Those
within the pale of no church find nothing to complain
of in this admirable school system: why, then,
should Catholics allege that it is but a scheme
concocted by Protestant sects to take advantage of
them ~"
"But waiving that matter, let me ask why is it,
that Romish priests, being opposed, as you maintain
they are, to enlightening the masses, yet build up
schoolsand colleges in this country ~ No doubt you
are ready to respond, that it is to give them an
opportunity of teaching Romanism. In reply to that
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