the Society for its business departments, reported, in June, in favor of purchasing the property on the northwest corner of Grand and Elm streets, at a cost of $19,500, and the erection thereon of a suitable building. The recommendation was adopted, the appropriate committees were directed to prosecute the work with all the promptitude the case demanded, the plans were procured, and the building speedily put under contract. Thus closed the year 1839.

12

CHAPTER X.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL QUESTION.-1840.

Annual Message of Governor Seward-Petition of Roman Catholics to the Common Council-Remonstrance of the Trustees of the Public School Society-Remonstrance of the Executive Committee-Commissioners of School Money-Communication from Rev. Felix Varela-School Books-Roman Catholic AssociationThe Freeman's Journal Established-Public Meetings of Roman Catholics-Bishop Hughes-Resolutions-Address to the Public-Rev. Dr. Pise-Catholic Memorial to the Common Council-Board of Aldermen-Committee Appointed-Remonstrance of Public School Society-Remonstrance of Methodists-Special Meeting of Common Council to Hear the Petitioners and Remonstrants-Speech of Bishop Hughes-Speech of Theodore Sedgwick--Speech of Hiram Ketchum-Rev. Dr. Bond-Bishop Hughes-Samuel F. Mott-Second Session-Speech of Rev. Dr. Bond-Speech of David M. Reese, M. D.-Speech of Rev. John Knox-Speech of Rev. Dr. Bangs-Speech of Rev. Dr. Spring-Closing Speech of Bishop Hughes-Rejoinder of Mr. Ketchum-Report of the Committee-Application of Roman Catholics for School Fund Distribution Negatived.

THE repeated controversies in which the Society had been engaged relative to the distribution of moneys raised for the purposes of common school education, and the legislation thereon, had not yet put to rest the desire of a portion of the citizens for a specific appropriation for the support of schools under a denominational control. The efforts of the several parties making these appeals to the Common Council, the Legislature of the State, and their fellow-citizens, were now renewed by a more fully organized effort than had yet been made. This controversy eventually influenced the action of the political parties in the city, and threatened, were it not terminated, to override the broader issues at large throughout the State, and become the battle-ground for contending partisan interests. The beginning of the year 1840 was the period chosen for the movement.

The Governor of the State, Hon. William H. Seward, in reviewing the condition of the common schools in his annual message, made the following recommendations, which, as they were

deemed by many to have been submitted with a reference to the pending controversy, are worthy of a place in this connection:

Although our system of public education is well endowed, and has been eminently successful, there is yet occasion for the benevolent and enlightened action of the Legislature. The advantages of education ought to be secured to many, especially in our large cities, whom orphanage, the depravity of parents, or some form of accident or misfortune seems to have doomed to hopeless poverty and ignorance. Their intellects are as susceptible of expansion, of improvement, of refinement, of elevation, and of direction, as those minds which, through the favor of Providence, are permitted to develop themselves under the influence of better fortunes. They inherit the common lot to struggle against temptations, necessities, and vices; they are to assume the same domestic, social, and political relations, and they are born to the same ultimate destiny.

The children of foreigners, found in great numbers in our populous cities and towns, and in the vicinity of our public works, are too often deprived of the advantages of our system of public education, in consequence of prejudices arising from difference of language or religion. It ought never to be forgotten that the public welfare is as deeply concerned in their education as in that of our own children. I do not hesitate, therefore, to recommend the establishment of schools, in which they may be instructed by teachers speaking the same language with themselves, and professing the same faith. There would be no inequality in such a measure, since it bappens from the force of circumstances, if not from choice, that the responsibilities of education are in most instances confided by us to native citizens; and occasions seldom offer for a trial of our magnanimity by committing that trust to persons differing from ourselves in language or religion.

Since we have opened our country, and all its fulness, to the oppressed of every nation, we should evince wisdom equal to such generosity, by qualifying their children for the high responsibilities of citizenship.

The trustees of the Catholic schools prepared and submitted to the Common Council an application for a portion of the school moneys, which was transmitted to that body during the month of February, and printed on the 2d of March.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Society, held on the 20th of the same month, for the purpose of considering what measures should be taken with reference to this application, it was deemed expedient to call a meeting of the Board of Trustees, to be convened on the 24th, that a carefully-advised course might be recommended. A committee, consisting of Samuel F. Mott, George T. Trimble, A. P. Halsey, Robert C. Cornell, Lindley Murray, Stephen Allen, and Peter Cooper, was appointed, to prepare a remonstrance against granting the appli

cation, and to adopt such other measures as they might deem necessary. The committee were also authorized to employ counsel, if the case demanded legal services.

At the meeting of the Board of Trustees held pursuant to the call of the Executive Committee, the following remonstrance was adopted, as a declaration from the trustees, to be followed by a more carefully prepared examination of the question by the Executive Committee.

To the Common Council:

The undersigned, in their associate capacity as Trustees of the Public School Society, and in their individual character as citizens, hereby respectfully but urgently remonstrate against the granting of a request presented by the trustees of the Catholic schools for a participation in the common school moneys.

Your remonstrants are opposed to this proposition, as being unconstitutional and inexpedient.

Unconstitutional-because in our State charter, and in our statute-book, the common school fund is appropriated to and for the benefit and support of common schools only and exclusively; and we deem it self-evident that no school can be so called, unless opened to all classes and descriptions of citizens, and conducted on a system to which none can reasonably object. Such is not the case with the Catholic schools. The peculiar sectarian tenets of that faith are part, and by them thought to be an essential part of the course of instruction; and hence all unbelievers in Catholic doctrines are unwilling, and may with good reason object, to send their children to such schools.

Unconstitutional-because it is utterly at variance with the letter and spirit of our chartered rights, and with the genius of our political institutions, that the community should be taxed to support an establishment in which sectarian dogmas are inculcated, whether that establishment be a school or a church.

Inexpedient-because the public schools, open to all without discrimination, and so conducted that no reasonable objection can be made by any to sending their children to them, are now in a very flourishing and satisfactory condition, and are annually increasing in numbers and usefulness; and which schools would, by the admission of church schools to participate in the school fund, be crippled, and probably destroyed.

Inexpedient-because the question was fully examined by the Common Council in 1822, and all the church schools, including the Catholic, which had previously drawn from the school fund, were cut off; and the great principle of non-sectarianism adopted as the basis for subsequent appropriations from this fund.

Inexpedient-because, by the concentration of the fund in one channel, a much greater amount of good is produced, than could be the case were it divided and subdivided among many; for in the public schools the same

expense for teachers, &c., would be incurred in a school of 100 or 150, as in one of double the number.

Induced by these leading positions, which they consider fully tenable, and by others which brevity induces the omission of, your remonstrants urgently protest against the admission of the Catholic, or any other sectarian school, to a participation in the public moneys. And of such great importance do they consider the subject, that, unless the Common Council are prepared, on a mere statement of these objections, to deny the application, your remonstrants respectfully request that they may be heard, in defence of their positions, before a joint meeting of your two boards.

Our Executive Committee will prepare and present a remonstrance more in detail.

The committee appointed, as already stated, to act on behalf of the Society, prepared a remonstrance, which was promptly printed for general distribution, as well as for the use of the members of the Common Council. This paper was adopted by the Executive Committee, as follows:

To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of New York, the Remonstrance of the Public School Society, by their Executive Committee, RESPECT

FULLY SHEWETH:

That your remonstrants learn with regret and surprise, that the Trustees of the Catholic Schools, have petitioned for a portion of the school fund, to support the schools under their care. Nearly twenty years have elapsed since sectarian schools were excluded from a participation in this fund, and your remonstrants had indulged a hope, that the question was forever at rest.

The injustice of taxing the whole community for the support of sectarian schools is so manifest, and it is so glaringly incompatible with the genius of our political institutions, that the naked proposition would seem to carry with it its own refutation. The Constitution of this State declares, “that the proceeds of certain lands belonging to the State, together with the fund, denominated the common school fund, shall be, and remain a perpetual fund, the interest of which shall be inviolably appropriated to the support of common schools throughout the State."

So far as your memorialists are aware, there is not in any law regulating the general distribution of this fund, nor in either of the numerous circulars issued by the Secretary of State, in his capacity as Superintendent of Common Schools, is there the most remote allusion to sectarian instruction in religion, except that on one occasion, after citing some ten or twelve classbooks of a strictly literary and moral character, he refers to Sampson's "Beauties of the Bible," as a compilation well adapted to common schools; but as if aware of the delicate ground on which he was treading, the secretary immediately remarks, "that the selection has been made without reference to any disputed points of doctrine; and it is entirely free from all