Hostility- Romanism- National School System 1854

CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT

Posted By: cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 7/23/2016 at 17:34:41

Dubuque Weekly Observer, October 6, 1854

The following little incident, narrated to us but a few days since by one acquainted with the facts shows conclusively that the influence exercised by Romish priests over the minds of the people, is as great and as determinant to intellectual culture now, as it ever has been. - It show, too, the determined hostility Romanism to our National School System.

In Fayetee County there existed a flourishing school composed of children of Protestants as well as Catholics. The school was large and afforded a sufficient remuneration to the teacher; all parties were satisfied, and the cause of primary education flourished, and no one dreamed of an interruption to disturb the harmony of the little school district. But, alas! It was doomed to sudden destruction. Pope Poi's detective police discovered that light and information (they hate light as the devil loves holy water) was spreading. The fiendish desire to crush all emanations burned in their souls, and the little family of urchins were doomed to separate. The FIAT was proclaimed, the Catholic parents were warned - the dread of purgatorial damnation, and all the horrors of disobedience to the commands of a servant of the vicar of Christ, secured immediate compliance, and every Catholic boy and girl was withdrawn, the school was closed, and we are informed remains so to this day.