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1 2 3

CONTROVERSY :/>

BETWEEN

DE. RYERSOK^, CHIEF SUPERINTENDEISIT 03P
EDUCATION IN UPPER CANADA; ^

AXD

REV. J. M. BRUYERE, RECTOR OF ST. MICHAEL'S
CATHEDRAL, TORONTO,

ON THE APPROPllI ATION OF THE

FREE SCHOOLS v». STATE SCHOOLS ;

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

AND COMMON SCHOOI-S,

Attacked and Defended.

REV. J. M. BRUYERE FOR THE PROSECUTION.
DR. RYERSON FOR THE DEFENCE.

TO WHICH IS APPENDED A LETTER PROM THE RIGHT REV. DR.

PiNSONEAULT, BISHOP OF LONDON, C. W., TO REV. J. M.

BRUYERE, ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LATE OON-

TROVBRSY WITH DR. RYERSON.

,#.• i

1 >

^!l!

TORONTO:

LEADIB AND PATRIOT STBAU-PSBSB PRINT, KWa BTRDT BABT.

1867.

INTRODUCTION.

i.-^

By a recent Act of the Legislature, the monies derived
from the sale of the Lands called Clergy Reserves, were
placed at the disposal of the different municipalities in the
country, with a certain restriction — that they might be ex-
pended for any object to which the municipalities have
authority to apply other monies, and for no other. For the
information of those who may not be acquainted with the
subject, it may be necessary briefly to state what the Clergy
Reserves were. In 1791 the Imperial Parliament passed
an Act, known as the Canada Bill, which was to serve as the
future Constitution of the Province. Among other things,
this Constitutional Act provided that one-seventh of all the
public lands granted were to be " reserved" for the support
and maintenance of a Protestant Clergy. This reservation
did not constitute an act of appropriation. There seems to
have been an intention on the part ef the British Govern-
ment, that the lands so reserved, should be afterwards ap-
propriated as endowments of Church of Eugland Rec-
tories. This, however, was never done except to a very
limited extent ; and the lands so appropriated ceased, to be
treated as Clergy Reserves. The whole amount of lands
thus reserved was about three millions of acres, of which
some two-thirds lay in Upper Canada. In 1819, the Im-
perial Government instructed the Colonial Government of

'I'

Upper Canada to erect a Church of England Rectory in
every township : their endowment, not immediately provided
for, was to be a matter for future consideration. For some
reason, never explained, the Imperial instructions were dis-
regarded. They were repeated in 1826, with this addition,
that the endowment of the rectories was to accompany their
erection. Again these instructions were disregarded ; and
this time the explanation is not so far to seek ; for previous
to that period an agitation on the subject of the Clergy Re-
serveb had begun to be excited. The attempt to collect
tythes for the Church of England, in Upper Canada, had
failed ; and it began to be apparent that the scheme of en-
dowing rectories would be equally unpopular. The Church
of Scotland made a claim to part of the Reserves ; founding
it on the allegation that by the act of union between Eng-
land and Scotland, the latter country was entitled to an
equality of rights with the former, and alleging that the
Church of Scotland was, equally with the Church of Eng-
land, a national Church. The legal question being submit-
ted to the law oflScers of the Crown, in England, the claim
of the Chui'ch of Scotland was admitted ; but by the same
decision all other religious denominations, except these two,
were excluded from all right of participation. This tended
to array all the other religious bodiei against the Reserves ;
and the feeling soon assumed a popular shape. So early as
1831, the Imperial Government was obliged to declare
its abandonment of the reserved lands, and its desire that
they should revert to the general demesne of the Crown.
But as the Legislative Council, a body then nominated by
the Crown, was averse to the popular feeling on this sub-
ject, any settlement was prevented for many years.
The Legislative Assembly declared in favor of devoting
these reserved lands to general public purposes, no less than
sixteen times ; and as often was that House thwarted by the
opposition of the other Branch of the Legislature. At
length, in 1839, Lord Sydenham, with the indomitable en-

ergy which characterized his administration, procured the
passage of a bill, by a majority of one, for distributing the
proceeds of these lands among certain religious denomina-
tions. But although the greater share had fallen to the
Church of England, the Anglican Archbishop of Canter-
bury was not pleased with the disposition made ; and he
brought on Lord John Russell's Government to bear such
a pressure as compelled the Imperial Government to alter
the bill to his liking. This was called a settlement of the
question ; but it was so unpopular in Canada that it could
not be maintained. In the present Legislature, it was found
that out of 130 members, less than twenty were favorable
to the maintenance of that act. Leave having been ob-
tained from the Imperial Parliament, a bill to dispose of the
question was introduced in the Canadian Legislature, mak-
ing the disposition of the lands already stated.

The time had come for distribiiting a first instalment of
the monies derived from this fund, amounting to some
£300,000, to the municipalities ; when Dr. Ryerson, Chief
Superintendent of Education, for Upper Canada, issued a
circular, calling upon the municipalities to make a par-
ticular disposition of the funds — to apply them to school
purposes and the purchase of township libraries — Rev. M.
Bruyeice objected to that recommendation, from a belief
that its adoption would be unjust to the Roman Catholic body ;
and thus the following controversy commenced. Of the merits
of that controversy the public will be enabled to judge,
since Rev. M. Bruyere has acceded to the appeals which
had been publicly made, to allow the wliole correspon-
dence to be printed in pamphlet form. Dr. Ryerson declined
to answer all appeals of this kind, or to accept the invitation
to join in the publication of the correspondence ; and Rev.
M. Bruyere was induced to assume the whole charge of the
publication.

' :■

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THE

)

BRUYERE RYERSONIAN

CORRESPONDENCE.

(From the Leader, February 12.)

As generally happens in such cases, the admirers of both
combatants in the late controversy regarding the proper
mode of disposing of the Clergy Keserves monies by the
municipalities, claim a wreath of laurel for their champion.
In this state of the case, several correspondents have sue-
gested that the whole correspondence, including Dr. RyersoivB
circular, should be published in pamphlet form. JFor our
part, we think the suggestion a capital one ; and we cannot see
why eithei* of the controversialists should decline to accede
to it. To do so, would, indeed, show a want of pluck; a con-
sciousness that the verdict of the public would go in favor
of his antagonist. "What says the Rev. M. Bruyere to the
proposal? What says the fighting official ?

(^From the Leader, Februa)y 13.)
The Rev. Mr. Bruyere accedes to the proposal made by
us at the suggestion of several correspondents, that the
whole of the correspondence between himself and Dr.
Ryerson should be published in pamphlet form. The whole
thing therefore rests with Dr. Ryerson ; will he "foce the
music ?" At present he has the advantage over his opponent,
that several of his letters have been published by journtils
which did not give a word of the other side of the question.
But he is bound to act manfully in the matter ; and let the
whole thing go to the public, so that every one can judge
for himself as to the merits of the controvei'sy. To refuse
this would be a most Immiliating acknowledgment; and
one which we take it even Dr. Ryerson cannot afford to
make.

8
THE RYERSON-BRUYERE CORRESPONDENCE.

(to the editob of the "leadeb.'*)

Deab Sib, — Your BUffgestions of this day's Leader meet
my full approbation. I take great pleasure in informing
you that, bo far as I am concerned, the correspondence lately
carried on, in the columns of the Leader^ between Dr.
Ryerson and myself, may be turned to such use as you think
best. In accedmff to your proposal, J am not aware, I beg
leave to say, that I am actuated by the frivolous desire of
winning to myself the high-sounding title of Oontrovertist.
But I think it quite right that the public should have an op-
portunity of contrasting, at one glance, the respective argu-
ments of the contending parties, on a subject of such vital
importance as that of the appropriation of the Clergy Re-
serve Funds, connected as it is, with the still more impor-
tant question of Common and Separate Schools. I hope my
worthy antagonist of the Education Office, will not retuse
to those who may have read only one side of the question,
the pleasure of seeing the other side also. By allowing his
brilliant effusions to come in close contact, in Pamphlet
form, with the productions of that new foreign element^ he
will enable the public to form a correct estimate of both.
If my opponent comes off victorious, as he anticipates, I will
take pleasure in adding a fresh leaf to the laurels destined
to encircle his noble brow. Should the public, contrary to
his expectation, decide against him, he is too just, too high-
minded, I am sure, not to bow down his venerable head, in
respectful acquiescence, to the virdict of such a respectable
and impartial Jury as public opinion.

With a view, therefore, of complying with the very
reasonable anticipations of the public, m a controversy
which has dieted so much interest, I respectfully invite my
distinguished antagonist to join with me in publishing, in a
pamphlet form, the whole correspondence which has lately
taken place between his reverence and myself, including his
Circular to the Municipalities, together with the different
replies and rejoinders on both sides. As to the expenses
attending the publication, though my salary is by far much
smaller than that f the Chief Superintendent of Education,
I am quite willing to bear an equal share.

Hoping that my worthy friend will bo ])lea6ed to give to
the public, in to-morrow's Leader^ a favorable answer to
your very Bonsible suggestionp.

I i'omain, dear Sir,

Yours truly,

J. M. BRUYERE.

St. Michael's Palace,
Toronto, Fob'y 12, 1857.

' ii

{From the Leader, February 19.)

THE BRUYERE-RYERSON CORRESPONDENCE.

Several days have now elapsed since wo, acting upon the
suggestions of correspondents, called upon Dr. Ryerson and
the Rev. M. Brutere to publish entire, in pamphlet form,
the correspondence which has passed between them on the
subject of the distribution of the Clergy Reserves monies.
Rev. M. Brutere, the very next day, addressed a letter to
this journal stating his willingness to comply with the sug-
gestion. But, so lar. Dr. Ryerson has given no response,
has made no sign. His silence seems to imply that he
would prefer to nave matters stand as they are. Several of
his letters have been published in journals which .did not
give a word of the other side; and it would seem that he is
satisfied with this unfair advantage, and is afraid to have
the whole correspondence go before the public in pamphlet
form. If so, the fact shows no little moral cowardice ; and
in any event he will not gain by this flinching from the or-
deal of public opinion founded on the knowledge of the
whole controversy ; for we learn that the Rev. M. Brittese
has himself undertaken the publication of the entire correa-
pondence. It will form the groundwork for a just opinion
on the merits of the case ; and the result, whatever it be,
must be far more satisfactory than the formation of an
opinion upon either half or a detached portion of the cor-
respondence. ■

! 1

*'■

I 'A

10
THE RYERSON-BKUYERE CORRESPONDENCE.

(to the editor of thh "leader".)

III

' 1

Dear Sir, — In compliance with your suggestion of the
12th inst., I hastened, on the same day, to inlorm you that
I acceded to the proposal made by you, that the whole of
the late correspondence between Dr. Ryerson and myself
should be published in pamphlet form. I invited, at the
same time, my distinguished antagonist to join with me in
bearing an equal share of the expenses attending the publi-
cation. Several days have now elapsed since the suggestions
were made public. Hitherto nothing has issued from the
Education Office to indicate what course the Chief Superin-
tendent of Education intends to pursue. If his stern silence
on the matter is to be taken as a criterion of his feelings, I
am inclined to tliink that he does not approve ot the publi-
cation of our Correspondence. Of his reasons for objecting
to it. Dr. Ryerson is, doubtless, the best judge. But, as I
have Tny reasons for acting differently, I beg leave to inform
you and the public, that 1 take upon myself the risk and ex-
pense of the publication. You are hereby authorized to go
to work, at once, and publish, in pamphlet form, the whole
correspondence between Dr. Ryerson and myself, including
his Circular to the Municipalities. The noble letter ao-
di'essed to me by His lordship Bishop Pinsoneault of Lon-
don, C. W., and bearing on the same subject, must also be
inserted in the pamphlet. I trust that those who have taken
such an interest in the controverey, will not forsake me in
the hour of need. For this purpose, I appeal, through the
columns of your excellent journal, to the public at large,
and especially to the clergy of all denominations and book-
sellere, for their co-operation in the circulation of the
pamphlet, as soon as it is issued from the Press. You will
oblige me by writing, yourself, an introduction to it, with a
short notice on th'3 nature of the Clergy Reserves, for the
benefit of those who may not be conversant with the question.

I remain, Dear Sir,

'■ Tours truly,

J. M. BRUYERE.

ToBOsTO, February 19th, 1867.

CIRCULAR.

To the Heads of City^ Town, Township and Village Mimi-
cvpalities in Ujyper Canada^ on the appj^qpriation of
the Clergy Beserves,

Sir, —

Bv the late settlement of the Clergy Reserve question,
a considerable sum of money is placed at the disposal of each
Municipality in Upper Canada ; and I take the liberty of
addressing to you and to the Council over which you have
been chosen to preside, a few words on the expenditure of
the money whicn the Act of tht Legislature has placed under
your control.

I beg, therefore, to submit to your favourable considera-
tion, ^^ether the highest interests of your Municipality will
not be best consulted by the application of the whole, or at
least a part of that sum, for procuring Maps. Charts, Globes
&c., for your Schools, and books of useful and entertaining
reading for all classes and ages in your Municipality, fi*
you apply the money to general purposes, it will amount to
comparatively little, and the relief or advantades of it will
scarcely be perceived or felt. If you apply it to the pay-
ment of salaries of Teachers, it may lessen for the present
the amount of your Municipal School rates ; but it will add
nothing to your Educational resources, and will be of mo-
mentary advantage. But if you apply it to furnish your
Schools with Maps, Globes, &c., and your constituents with
Libraries, you will not only confer a benefit which will be
felt in future years, in all your Schools, by all your children,
and all classes of your population, and that without imposing
a six pence rate upon any one, but will double your re-
sources for these most important purposes. The Legislative

ill

Stliool Grant is apportioned to each Municipality according
to poptflatioriy and is not. therefore, increased or lessened by
any application you may make of your share of the Clergy
Reserve Fund. But the Legislative Grant for School Ap-
paratus and Public Libraries is apportioned to each Muni-
cipality according to the amount provided in such Munici-
pality for the same purposes. In applying your Clergy
Keserve Money, therefore; to these purposes, you double the
amount of it / and confer upon the rising generation and the
whole community advantages which will be gratefully felt
in all time to come, and develope intellectual resources,
which, in their turn, will tell powerfully upon the advance-
ment of the country in knowledge, wealth and happiness.

Some Municipalities have anticipated what I now venture
to suggest, by resolving to apply their share of the Clergy
Keserve Funds to the purposes above mentioned. The first
application I received was from a comparatively new and
poor Townsuip, whose share of the Fund in question
amounted to £200 ; the whole of which the Council nobly
determined to apply for procuring Maps for the Schools
and Public Libraries for the Township, and sent a deputa-
tion to Toronto to select the Books, Maps, &c. I had great
pleasure in adding other £200 to their appropriation, and
thus every School in the Township is furnished with Maps
and other requisites of instruction, and every family with
books for reading, and that without a farthing s tax upon any
inhabitant. It is delightful to think of a Township whose
Schools are thus furnished with the best aids to make them
attractive and efficient, and whose families are thus provided
(especially during the long winter evenings) with the society
of the greatest, best, and most entertaimng men (through
their works) of all countries and ages I Several Cities,
Towns, and other Township Municipalities have adopted a
similar course, some of them appropriating large sums than
that v/hicli I have mentioned.

The voice of the people of Upper Canada has long been
lifted up in favor of appropriating the proceeds of the Clergy
Reserves to educational purposes. Now that those proceeds
are placed in their own liands through thisir mumcipal re-
present-^tives, it is as consistant as it is patriotic to carry out
their often avowed wishes ; and I know of no way in which
it can be done so effectually as that, by which the amount

of it may in the firet place, be doubled, and in the second
place, be 80 applied as to secure permanent benefit to every
pupil and every family in each Mnnicipulity in Upper
Canada. If the principal of the Fund were invented, and
the interest accruing therefrom be annually sipplied, as I
have taken the liberty to suggest, then ample means would
be provided for supplying m all future .ime every School
and every family in Upper Caimda with the means of in-
creasing the intere^^t and usefulness of the one, and the intel-
ligence and enjoyment ot the othfr, to an indefinite extent,
and that without even being under the necessity of levying
a rate or imposing a tax for that purpose. Sucli an invest-
ment would be the proudest monument of the intelligence
and large-heart edness of the grown-up po|)ulati(>n, and confer
benefits beyond conception upon the rising and future gene-
ration of the country.

I have, heretofore, furnished each Municipal Council with
a copy of the Catalogue ot Books for Public Libra- ies, and
I herewith transmit a copy of the Catalogue ot Maps and
other School Apparatus provided by this Department,
together with the printed blank forirs of application ; and I
shall be happy to atlbrd every aid and faeility in my powei*,
as w.ll as make the apportionments above intimated,
towards accomplishing an object, or rather objects, so noble
in themselves, and so varied and permanent in their influence
and advantages.

I will thank you to have the goodness to lay this Circular
before your Municipal Council, and to let me know as early
as convenient the decision of your Council on the snbject,
which I have taken the liberty to bring under your notice,
in order that I may know what apportionment* and prov -
sions may be requJBite to meet the aj/propriations, and com-
ply with the wishes of the various M.unicipalitie3.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your fellow-laborer, and faithful servant,

E. RYERSON.

Education Offick,

Toronto, 15th Nov., 1866.

iii

, '■ .

i-f.

if!

WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH THE CLERGY RESERVE

FUNDS ?

'.4

TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE PRESS IN CANADA.

Gentlemp:n, — I have before me a "Circular" addressed,
by Dr. liyerson, Chief Superintendent of Schools in Upper
Canada, to the heads of City, Town, Township, and Yillago
Municipalities, in this section of the Province, on the ap-
propriation of the Clergy Eeserve Funds. In this letter,
the distinguished head of the Educational Department, takes
upon himself to deliver a lecture to the Municipalities of the
upper section of the Province, on the expenditure of the
money accruing from the secularized Clergy Reserves. The
Rev. gentleman submits to the favor ahle consideration of
the Municipalities^ whether their hiahest interests will not he
best consulted hy the ajyplicatimi of the wholcy or at least, a
jpart of that suni^j or 'procuring Majps^ Charts, Globes, etc.,
etc, for their Schools, and hooks of useful and entertaining
reading for all classes and ages in their municipality.

On the propriety of thus intruding an unasked advice
on our various Municipalities, I will not attempt to express
an opinion. The worthy Doctor may be actuated by consi-
derations which may plead as an excuse for his meddling
interference in the concerns of others. I may be permitted,
however, to say, en passant, that our Municipal bodies, being
composed of citizens of the\ highest respectability by their
moral character, education, and standing in society, should
be the best and sole judges of the most suitable appropria-
tion of the money which the Act of the Legislature has
placed under their control. Had the Rev. gentleman al-
lowed our Municipalities to follow, in this, their own judgment
and discretion, I would have considered it imperative, on
my part, an humble Priest of the Catholic Church, to remain
silent. Having now before me the example of the distin-

fuished Chief Superintendent of Schools in Upper Canada,
may be permitted to venture to suggest some considera-
tions on the same subject.

Our Legislature, in settling, two years ago, that long-pend-
ing and much vexed question of the Clergy Reserves, meant
to withdraw from the private use of one portion of our com-
munity funds, which they considered should be applied to
general purposes, and to the benefit of all Presbyterians,

Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, as well as Members of the
Church of England. Tliey designed to share amongst the
whole community, the immense resources which were to
accrue from the sale of landed estate heretofore enjoyed by
a small class of Her Majesty's subjects, the clergy of the
Church of England. They proposed to tliemselres to re-
move for ever from our midst, a fruitful source of discord and
bitter dissension. Whether the act of the Provincial Par-
liament should be looked upon as a measure of distributive
justice, or an act of high-handed robbery, I am not prepared
to express an opinion. Bearing this in mind, I may be per-
mitted to ask, whether it is right and proper now to appro-
priate to one portion of our people funds which the
^ fcgislature intended for the eeneral use and benefit of all
' citizens, without distinction ot creed or nationality.
■^ I beg leave, in turn, to submit to the favorable considera-
tiott of the public, whether the end of the Legislature will
be obtained by the application of the proceeds of the sale
of the Clergy Keserves to the purposes mentioned by Dr.
Ryerson, viz : to the furnishing Common Schools with Maps,
Globes, and other School Apparatus — and getting up Public
Libraries ? Pray, what are these Educational institutions which
Dr. Ryei-son proposes to endow with the proceeds of the
Clergy Reserves Fund ? We look around, and behold huge
and palace-like fabrics, stigmatized by public opinion as
godless schools. What are these stately edifices, rearing up
their proud turrets over the breadth and length of the land ?
What are these gigantic mansions which first meet the eye
of the traveller on enteriug our city ? Let the truth be pro-
claimed again for the hundredth time. They are Common
Schools, built with Catholic as well as Protestant money.
They are houses of education from which religion is banished,
where the elements of Christianity cannot be inculcated to
the rising youth, where the child of Christian parents must
be taught practically that all religious systems are equally
pleasing, or rather equally indifferent in the sight of God,
be he a believer in the immutable decrees of eternal repro-
bation or a follower of the imposter Joe Smith. These halls
of learning, already so richly supplied with the most elegant
School Apparatus, are shut up against one-third, or at least
one-fourth of the population of Upper Canada. Yes, a Ca-
tholic parent, who values his faith above all wordly advan-
tages, and who rightly considers religion as the basis of all
b2

! • i

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f! '

education, and the life of man upon earth, would rather
doom his child to tlie liorrors of the most degrading ignor-
<snce, than permjt liim to drink in the Common Schools the
poison of infidelity or heresy along with the pure diaught
o1 useful knowledge. These convictions jire likewise shared
by a large portion of the members of tlie Church of England.
Talk not to us of your superior training, sphndid Scliool
Apparatus, and liighly qualified Teachers. If the^e advan-
4;age8, great as they may be, are to be purchased at the price
<of our faith, we value them not; we do not want them ;
we spurn them and fling them back into your face.

Sad would be the alternative left to the Catholic popula-
tion of the I'rovince, were Dr. Ryerson to havc*lu«P^^tt^
way. To send our children to the Common Scho'w4||^|jj|^ ■
cannot, without risking their faith, which we esteemliljlili^J
the most brilliant education, tainted with infidelity Jifii; t ■
withhold them is to deprive them of the immense advailtipj|fy '
held out in these richly endowed halls of learning, whicl^ the
acute Chief Superintendent so earnestly recommends to the
liberal patronage of our Municipalities. We read of the
tyrann_7 of a Julian, the apostate, condemning the Ciiristians
of his days, to ignorance and degradation, by shutting up
their School^!, and forbidding them to attend the halls of
learning. History records the penal laws enacted in Iieland,
making it felony tor the adherents of ?he ancient faith, either
to harbor a Schoolmaster in their house, or to send their
children abroad to be educated in a country whose faith was
more cong.nial to their own. I do not hesitate in saying,
that the yoke attempted to be imposed on our neck by the
Chief Superintendent of Schools in Upper Canada, is not
less galling, less insufferable, than that of the apostate
Emperor of Constantinople, or of the Protestant rulers of
England. He will, if allowed to have his own v.-ay, crush
and annihilate our poorly endowed, and poorly furnished
Separate Schools, by the overwhelming superiority of his
School /v pparatus, and bj' the already enormous resources
placed under his control. But should the bait of the tempter
entice the Catholic child to the godless schools, we will have
nothing to envy the neighbouring republic. There, thanks
to the State education, now in its zenith, an infidel genera-
tion is rising up every where. "The serpents of irreligion,"
says a distmguished writer of New York, swarm every
where. They are to be found in the halls of justice and even

ras

in the temple consecrated to religion." Over twelve niil-
J'cns of innciels are scattered tliruugh that once flourisliing
republic, — now the land of Know-Nothingisni, riot and
bloodshed. Behold the lamentable fruits of a system of
education encourajG^ed and patronized by Di*. Kyerson, once
a Mil ister of the Gospel ! Huving these tacts, and the insi-
dious "Circular" ])ert)re me, I do not hesitate to assert, that
the Chief Superintendent of Schools in Upper Canada is the
most unrelenting and most oppressive enemy of Catholicity
in this section of the Province, throwing altogether in the
shade the apostate Julian of old !

If D-. Ryerson was sincere in his anxiety for the diffusion
of useful knowledge among the rising generation, without
distinction of creed or nationality, why d es he not submit
to the favorable consideration of the Municipalities, the
propriety of applying, at least, a small part of the ('lergy
Keserve Fund to the use of Catholic Separate Schools ?
They too, and more by far, than Comtnon Schools, stand in
the greatest need of Maps, Charts, Globes and other School
Apparatus. We are met, at once, by t\w. liberal and learned
gentleman saying : The law is in your way ; there is a
clause in the law for the secularization of the Clergy Re-
serves, precluding expressly Separate Schools from any share
in the distribution of these funds. Yes, indeed, the law is
in our w^ay, thanks again to the Superintendent of Education
in Upper Canada, who, (if I am con ectly informed,) sug-
gested the oppressive clause cutting oft* Catholic Separate
Schools from any share in the distribution of the above
mentioned resources. If one system of education was to be
excluded from any share in the common boon, why wore
not Common Schools hindered in like manner, from deriving
any benefit from these enormous funds arising from the
secularized Clergy Reserves ? Oh ! no ; Common Schools
must be furnished, and abundantly furnished with Maps,
Charts, Globes, &c.. &c. Let the benighted Catholic boy and
the Catholic girl learn astronomy by looking up to the stai-s,
and geography by taking an easy trip around the world.

The next purpose to which the learned Superintendent,
calls the favorable consideration of the Municipalities, is the-
getting up of Public Libraries, by the purchase of books of"
useful and entertaining reading for all classes and ages in
their respective districts. Here again, I must confess, the-
public at large, and Catholics especially, owe a deep debt

•■t

of gratitude to Dr. Ryerson, for bis amazing stretch of libera
ality. With due regard for the high standing and sacred
character of the reverend gentleman, may I be permitted to
ask him : What are these public Ubraries co'.nposed of?
WLat class of authors penned these works of useiul and en-
tertaining reading ? What sort of rare literary productions
are to enter into the composition of these Public Libraries,
made up under the superintendence of the learned Divine of
the Methodist Church ? What books will occupy the most
prominent place in these well-furnished Libraries? Dr.
Kyerson must excuse my anxious inquisitiveness. Catholics
fi,re rather suspicious when they hear of a Protestant contri-
vance got up by a Potestant agency, and under Protestant
influence. The worthy Chief Superintendent is, or was, a
Reverend Protestant Minister. He knows that the general-
ity of Protestants read none but Protestant books, Protest-
ant newspapers. In getting up his Libraries, he will consult
his own taste and that of his readers : he must procure such
books as will suit their predilection, books thoroughly im-
pregnated with Protestant spirit. Now, such reading, en-
tertaining as it may be to a Protestant mind, will never
accord with our rather fastidious Catholic taste.

But let lis, for a moment, take a rapid survey of those
Public Libraries, got up under the superintendence of Doc-
tor Ryerson. In looking over their shelves, it is not unlikely
but my eyes will fall upon some of the most rapid anti-
Christian writers, such as the infidel Hume, and the skepti-
cal Gibbon. The next works which probably will meet my
gaze, are such truthful historical books as D'Aubigny's His-
tory of the Reformation, whose assertions would put his
Satanic majesty to the blush. Will the Rt. Rev. Doctor
Spalding's brilliant refutation of D'Aubigny's History find
a corner in Doctor Ryerson's Libraries f No. The Rev.
gentleman knows that his fellow-believers are generally sat-
isfied with an exparte view of the subject. Then comes the
richly got up cfiaries of distinguished Protestant tourists,
giving to the world their fanciful sketches, from notes hastily
taken from tlie window of a vehicle, on Italy, Naples, Spain,
and other benighted Catholic countriesj sitting in the shadow
of ignorance, vice, supei-stition and idolatiy. A Catholic
clergyman has lately favored us with his admirable outlines
on France, Italy, Naples, &c. But these masterly historical
sketches, by the Rev. Mr. Haskins, being the production of

a Popish Priest, will find no room in Dr. Ryerson's Public
Libraries. A more prejudiced or more illiberal work than
White's elements of General History, could not be conceived.
This historical compendium, replete with the vilest insults
against what Catholic nations venerate and respect, was,
and is, probably, still taught in the Grammar Schools. Of
course, such a book will oe quite welcome in the Public
Libraries. A liberal Protestant prompted, perhaps, by
■erious doubts and misgivings, and desirous of reading the
other side, will look in vain in those Public Libraries, for
Hawkins' Travels through France, Italy, &c. ; Bossnet's
Variations ; Balmes's Protestantism ancl Catholicity com-
pared ; Chateaubriand's Genius of Christianity ; Cardinal
W iseman's Lectures ; Doctor Newman's Lectures ; tlie end
of Controversy, by Dr. Milner ; Audin's History of Luther,
Calvin, Henry VUl., Leo X ; Count de le Maistre's works ;
Trials of a Imnd, by Doctor Ives ; Religion and Society, bv
Abbe Martinet ; Doctor Spalding's Lectures ; Cobbett s
Reformation ; Lingard's Anglo-Saxon Church ; Gahan's
Church History; Travels of an L'ish gentleman in Search of
a Religion ; History of the Church, by Reeve ; Travern's
Amicable Discussions ; and sundry other works which assist
a Protestant Reader in forming a correct opinion of the
respective merits of Protestantism and Catholicity. The
above named works, and such others as are written by im-
partial and well-informed authors, are not, as a general rule,
to be found in those public libraries, so much eulogized by
Doctor Ryerson. Instead of them, you meet there with no-
thing but the flimsy productions of narrow-minded and pre-
judiced writers who give you a distorted and one sided view
of the subject they treat, if it has any reference to Catho-
licity, Catholic nations, and Catholic morals or customs.

From the above statement and the perusal of the worthy
Chief Superintendent's "Circular," the Public cannot be
at a loss to discover his benevolent designs. The learned
Doctor ventures to suggest to our various Municipalities, the
application of, at least, a part of their share ot the Clergy
Reserve Funds, to the purchasing of works ludicrou3y
Btvled by him, hoohs of useful and entertaining readvng.
The Chief Superintendent of Schools whose cranium has
been stretched to its utmost capacity, cannot find out a bet-
ter use of public money, destined for general purposes, than
to purchase with it, and place into the hands of rising gene-

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■■'■*

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rations, both Cntholics and Protestants, hooks of useful and
enfeHahiing reading : viz : books calculated to corrupt the
budding mind of youth with the venom of intidelitv, revile
C'holicity, insult the ministers of a church of two hundred
milMon-* of human bein^, misrepresent their doctrines and
p. act ces. In these bo^l^s (f useful and entertaining read-
%iig the most siicred tenets of our Holy Reb'gidu are attack-
ed with a virulence and bitterness worthy of a Julian tlie
apo-tate. Tlu re, Catholicity is exhibited in a most odious
form ; then this phantom, tlie offspring of a heated imagina-
tion, or ])erhaps of a malicious l)eart, is assailed witl. the
most violent abuse, it is attacked with the powerful arms of
ridicule and low ribaldry. In these works, recommended
by Dr. Ryerson, Itooks of useful and entertaining reading^
the morals, character, customs, and condition of Catholic
countries, are depicted by ignorant or pi'ejudiced scribblers,
who are about, as compttent to write on Catholic nations,
and Ca'holic usages, as a New Zealander who would attempt
to give a correct narratis e of the mannei*s and customs of
England, which he has never seen or heard of. In some of
the books which are to make up our public libraries, for the
use of the rising youth of Upper Canada, re'igious subjects
are handled witli the most amazing confidenc-i by audacious
tyros as inadequate to the task they have undertaken, as
the blind man who sets himself up as a lecturer upon colors,
or one deaf and dumb who ventures to give his views on
the theory of sound. In a word, to foster an anti-christian
spirit, hatred and animosity, to sow the seeds of dissention
and religious discord among the citizens of the same com-
munity ; such are the detestable purposes to which Dr.
Ryerson would have our Municipalities to apply part of the
money, which the act of the legislature has placed under
their control. Let those who relish these hooks (f useful
and entertaining reading, purchase them with their own
money. But, in the name of justice and common sense, let
not public money and public funds, destined for general
purposes, be squandeied away in increasing the power of a
contrivance already ]>roductive of so much mischief.

I conclude with express ng a sincere hope that the good
sense, honesty, and liberality of our Municipalities in Uj^per
Canada will detVat the snares (»f the enemy of peace and
good feeling in this section of the Province, by ajjplying
tne funds placed into their hands to general purposes, and

to the common use of all, Catholics as well as Protestants,
since they are all members of the same community, ana
have an equal riffht to its resources. Let these resoun es
with which a kind Providence has blessed us, be spent in
improving our Cities, Towns, and Villages, in draini g and
macadamizing our streets, digging sewers, wliere wanted, in
founding institut^'ons of general benerieence, such as com-
mon baths for the use of poor people, in establishing general
dispensaries, where the sick of the poor class may procure
whatever medicine may be necessary, in securing in each
Ward of our large Cities the services oif one or two Physici-
ans, who would attend the most urgent cases of destitution.
Let a part of the Clergy Reserve Funds be employed in
erecting shelters for the aged, the iniirm, the widow, the
orphan, and the immigrant. Many of our Houses of In-
dustry are in a lamentable state. In several Towns, and
even Cities, the destitute and the poor are yet without
shelter. When the famishing widow will appeal to your
sympathy, will you reach her a Globe to appease her hun-
ger ? When the half-naked orphan will stand before you,
will you give him a map to cover his shivering limbs ?
When the anxious immigrant will reach your shores, will
you receive him w^ith a chart to rest his wearied body upon?
When sickness and pestilence breaks out in your midst, will
you be able to relieve suffering humanity by scattering-
around you books of useful and entertaining reading, such
as Doctor Ryerson suggests to purchase with : he money
l^laced under your control ?

Let me now, with due respect, put the question to the
benevolent members of our Municipaliti':s : Will they be able
to answer the numerous calls of humanity, to relieve so
many sufferings, to provide for so many wants without large
funds, and especially without increasing our taxes which
are already enormous ? Let me then hope that the heads of
our cities and towns will take better advice than that offered
to them by the Chief Superintendent of Schools. Let each
municipality, therefore, follow, in the use of their respective
share of the Clergy Reserve Funds, their own judgment and
discretion, without permitting themselves to be dictated to
by the head of the educational department. Our worthy
Chief Superintendent sees but one thing — his schools ; he
thinks of nothing but his schools. During the day, all his
thoughts are taken up with his schools. In the silence of

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iii

the night, the success and prosperity of his scliools, inter-
rupt his peace and shiinbers, anu rise up before hib vision.
Are the fathers of our cities and towna, tlio heads of our
municipalitits, to make tlieniselves rediculous because
Doctor Ryeraon chooses to be so ? Are tliey to waste and
squander away public money intended for general purposes,
because the dictator of the scliools bids them to do so ? ISo :
our people expect better things from those to whose keeping
they have confided their welfare. They hope that they will
be actuated but by one consideration, — tiie general good
and utility of all; influenced but by one motive — love and
good towards all.

In conclusion, I beg leave to state, that I will consider it
as a favor if the Press in Toronto, and elsewhere, do me the
honor of inserting in their columns the above views, imper-
fect as they are. The subject is of the utmost importance
and should be placed before the public. On the conductors
of a wise press, devolves the duty of enlightening public
opinion. To the good sense and kind indulgence of the
public I submit tliese considerations, and beg to subscribe
myself,

Tlieir humble servant,

J. M. BRUYEKE.
Toronto, Dec. 9, 1866.

nmi

(From the Leader^ December 22, 1856.)

How is it that Dr. Ryerson, usually ready to rush into
print on the slightest pretext, has not favored the public
with a reply to the Rev. Mr. Bruyere's suggestions as to the
disposal of the Clergy Reserves monies? Is the usually
belligerent Superintendent of Education becoming docile in
these latter days ? Has he discovered that the Rev. Mr.
Bruyere stands upon unassailable ground ; or that, although
a Frenchman he writes better English than this official, and
would not be a very convenient antagonist. People are
asking one another these questions. In the mean time, the
Press is discussing the question according to the particular
predilections of the writers or the parties to which they be-
long. Several journals have had articles adverse to the
views of the Rev. Mr. Bruyere, without reproducing his
letter ; thus depriving their readers of an opportunity of
judging for themselves on the merits of the question.

to the editor op the *' leader."

Education Office,
Toronto, 22nd December, 1856.

Sir, — III to-day's Leader, you severely blame me for not
having replied to the letter of <^he Rev. J. M. Bruycre, which
appeared in your paper of the 10th instant ; I herewith
transmit my reply for insertion in The Leader^ at your
earliest convenience.

You will see from what follows, that you are mistaken
as to the reasons of my tardiness in replying to attacks of
Mr. Bruyere ; that it has been from the extravagance and
puerility of Mr. Bruyere's letter, rather than from the
cogency of his facts and arguments, that I have deferred
noticing it until to-day.

I have the honor to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,

E. RYERSON.

Dr. Ryerson's Reply to the Rbv. J. M. Bruyere.

When I first read in The Leader oi the 10th inst., the lelter
of the Rev. J. M. Bruyere (Roman Catholic Priest in this
city) addressed to the " conductors of the Press in Canada,"
criticising a circular which I recently addressed to Heads of
of Municipalities on the application of the Clergy Reserve
Fund, and assailing our Common School system generally,
I thought his statements were too improbable and his
objections too often refuted to require any notice from me.
But I find by remarks in The Leader and other papei-s, as
well as by observations in private circles, that I am expected
to reply to this anti-public school champion ; and I am
inducea to comply with wishes thus entertained chiefly by the
considerations that Mr. Bruyere appears as the representa-
tive and organ of a party, and that the statements of his
letter afford me another opportunity of exhibiting the fair
and generous principles of our public school system, and of
exposing the unfairness and baselessness of the objections
urged against it by the party of Mr. Bruyere.

2. lie perscmalities of Mr. Bruyere manifest the favorite
weapon of his party in all controversies, and require little
notice. When a law of the land requires the Chief Superin-
tendent ot Schools, among other things, " to employ all
lawful means in his power to promote the establishment of

:'i

i^ii'

school libraries for general reading," " to provide the schools
with maps and apparatus," and " colKot and diffuse useful
information on the subject of education generally," Mr.
Bruyere shows as little regard for law as for good taste, in
charging nie with indecent presumption and intrusion, in
snbmirting lo the Municij)al Councils tlie suggestions con-
tained in my circular, and more especially when I jiioposed
to add " to each municipal appropiation, one hundred per
cent." out of grants which the liberality of the Legislature
had placed at my disposal for the very purpose of establish-
ing public libraries and pioviding schools with maps and
apparatus. But with as little consistency as logic, Mr.
Bruyere denounces my example in intruding upon the public
on the subject of education, and yet pleads that very example
for his doing the same thing !

3. Mr. Bruyere remarks " that our Municipal bodies being
composed of citizens of the highest respectability by their
moral character, their education and standing in society,
should be the best and sole judges of the most suitable
appropriation of the money which the Act of the Legislature
has placed under their control." I quite agree in this
extorted tribute to the intelligence and patriotism of our
Municipal Councils ; and it is on this very ground that I
have proposed fiom time to time the provisions of laws to
invest them with such large and responsible powers in regard
to the education of the youth of the country. I am glad
that the party ot Mr. Bruyere has at length learned to ap-
preciate the Municipal bodies more highly than recently',
when they declared them too ignorant and bigoted to deter-
mine the boundaries of separate school sections, or appoint
suj)erintenden:s to divide the school moneys between the
separate and public schools. On account of these clamors
of Mr. Briiyere's party against the Municipal Councils, the
division of school monies between the public and separ;ite
schools was transferred from the Municipal authoiities to the
Chief Superintende t, and the Separate School Act takes
away the determining of the boundaries separate school sec-
tions from the Municipal Councils altogether — making the
boundaries of a sei)arato school section m variably the same
as those of the common school section within the limits of
which the separate school is esiablished: whereas formerly
the Municipal Councils, in compliance with the wishes of
supporters ot Separate Schools, often i xtended the limits of

I I

Separate School sections over three or four Common School
sections. It appears to me now that Mr. Bniyere's party
begiu to think more favorably of Municipal bodies than
heretofore ; and th^se bodies will doubtless appreciate his
compliments.

4. T!ie professed subject of Mr. Bruyere's letter is a two-
fold protest — one against the application of any part of the
Clergy Reserve Fund for the purchase of school maps and
apparatus ; the other against its application for the purchase
of public Libraries. 1 will examine the grounds on which
he professes to base each of these protests.

5. He protests against any part of the Clergy Reserve
Fund being applied to the purchase ef school maps and
apparatus, because the Separate Schools are excluded from
any participation in it for that purpose. He says, " the
" Catholic Separate Schools too and more by far than the
" Common Schools, stand in the greatest need of maps,
" charts, globes, and other school apparatus. We are at
" once met by the liberal and learned gentleman spying,
" the law is in your way ; there is a clause in the law for
" the secularization of the Clergy Reserves, piecluding
" especially Separate Schools from any share in the distribu-
" tie a of these funds." Mr. B. proceeds to charge me with
ha\ ing suggested this clause of the law for the secularization
of the Clergy Reserves, and then piteously exclaims:
" Common Schools must be furnished abundantly with maps,
" charts, globes, &c., &c. Let the benighted catholic boy,
" and catholic girl, learn astronomy by looking up to the
" stars, and geography by taking an easy trip around the
" world." Now the simple fact is, that I not only never
suggested one clause, phrase, or woi'd of the law for the
S(icularization of the Clergy Reserves, but there is no
restrictive clause whatever, such as Mr. Bruyere asserts,
though municipalities in Lower Canada are precluded by an
act passed last session from raising anything for the support
of dissentient Schools. The Separate Schools in Upper
Canada have precisely the same facilities for providing them-
selves with maps, charts, globes, &c., as the Common
Schools ; and supporters of Separate Schools in Toronto,
Kinirj^ton, Hamilton, London, Chatham, Brantford, Niagara,
Barrie, Peterboro', Prescott, and other places, have availed
themselves of the lacilities for procuring maps, charts, globes,
&c., at this department, and to each of them I have appro-

tioned one liundred per cent, on the sums advanced by them.
And only a few days before Mr. Bniyere makes these asser-
tions, the Iloman Catholic Bishop of London was shewn the
depository of maps, globes, &c., by myself, and he ordered
a number of them for liis Separate Schools, and to which I
made the apportionment of one hundred per cent, on the
amount advanced.

C. Mr. Bruyere's statements in regard to looks in the
official catalogue for Public Libraries are eq^ially unfounded
and contrary to fact. While he exclaims against the histories
of the "infidel Hume and the sceptical Gibbon," he ought to
know that neither of these works is the Index J^xpurgatorus,
while Archbishop VV^hatley's Logic, and Macaulay's History
are thus distinguished. H'.^ says, " d'Aubigne's History of
the Reformation^'' is in the catalogue, whicn is not the tact.
He says there is no such book in the catalogue as " Cardinal
"Wiseman's Lectures," — whereas Cardinal WisctnarCs Lec-
tures on the connection between Science and lievealed
Religion are on the official catalogue, as a^so Bossuet'e
Universal History. Mr. Bruyere likewise says, " Li vain
** will we look in these public libraries for Lingard)s Anglo
" Saxon Church; Gahan^s Church History ; tlistory of the
" Church by Reeve," when each of these three histories is
contained in the official catalogue ; as also Lingard's His-
tory of England / Milvin's Bistory of England ; FredeCs
Ancient History^ and Iredefs Modern History. These
works were inserted in the catalogue three years ago on the
recommendation of Bishop Charbonnel, to whom was com-
municated the wish of the Council of Public Instruction
that he would select the Koman Catholic Histories he judged
best, as the Council, on the disputed ground of civil and
ecclesiastical history, intended to select a certain number of
standard works on each side — leaving to what Mr. Bruyere
himself calls the "good sense, honesty, and liberality of the I
Municipalities in tipper C nada," to procure which they
might pleas .) ; and most of them have made a fair selection I
of histories Irom both sides. Nay, when in London, in 1851, 1
making selections of library books for examination, and ar- 1
rangements for procuring them, I had (on the strength of a J
letter of introduction from a high quarter) an interview with I
Cardinal Wiseman, to whom I briefly explained the princi- 1
pies on which I proposed to promote the establishment of I
Public School Libraries in Upper Canada— the avoidance of |

em.
iser-

the
ered
ch I

the

the
nded
tories
fhtto
torus,
istory
)ry of
e fact,
rdinal
s Lec-

)ssiiet'8
11 vain
\ Anglo

!/ ofth^
pries is

Jfredefs

These
) on the
as com-
truction
.judged
jivil and
imher of
Bruyere
tv of the
ch they
selection

in 1851,
, and ar-
igth of a
iriew with |
leprinci-!
hment of I
^idance of I

doctrinal and controversial works of any religious persuasion, *
as between Protestants and Roman Catholics, and the selec-
tion of the most popular works in all the departments of
human knowledge, and I wished his Eminence to favor me
with a lists of books and their publishers such as were ap-
proved by his Church and in harmony with the character
and objects of the proposed Canadian Libraries. Cardinal
Wiseman frankly replied, that nearly all the books printed
and sold by Catliolic publishers, were doctrinal expositions
and vindications of the Catholic Church, or such as related
to questions of difference between Catholics and Protestants,
and therefore, not adapted to the non-controversial and non-
denominational libraries I proposed to establish. Yet, after
this, I applied to Bishop Charbonnel, notwithstanding his
previous attacks on me, and inserted in the catalogue
every historical library book recomended by him, and more
than the histories enumerated by Mr. Bruyere. Thus
throughout, have I pursued a fair, a kind and generous
course towards Roman Catholics, and have treated them
with a consideration which has not been shown to any Pro
testant denomination, while their Charbonnels and Bruyeres
have not ceased to requite me with evil for good, by their
ceaseless misrepresentations, provocations and calumnies.

7. Mr. Bruyere represents me as the most inveterate
enemy of Romanism in the country, and employing every
means in my power to oppose and destroy it. What may
be my views as to the pecnliar doctrines of Romanism and
Protestantism, and of the comparative influence of each
system upon religion, morals, intellect, social order, liberty,
civilization, and man's well-being here and hereafter, is a
matter which appertains to myself. I am responsible for
my official acts ; and to them I appeal for a refutation of Mr.
Bruy ore's imputations. And the reader will, perhaps, be
surprised to learn, that at the very moment Mr. Bruyere thus
assailed my official conduct, he had fresh in his recollection,
if not in his possession, a practical refutation of his own
charges, as I had, no longer ago than the 25th of November,
addressed to him an official letter, (in reply to one from him,)
every sentiment and word of which disproves his statements.
As this correspondence illustrates the religious aspect of our
Common School system, the extent to which Mr. Bruyere
and his friends seek to avail themselves of it, and the fair-
ness and '' liberality" with which I have interpreted and ap-

;*]].;•■

• plied the law in favor of Roman Catholics as well as Pro-
testants,! append copies of it to this letter for publication, as
the best answer to the attacks of Mv. Bruyere s })arty. This
correspondence is only a spetimen of much of the same
kind. I select it because it lias recently taken place with
Mr. Bruyere himself. A man's necessities must be great
and his scruples small indeed, when he conceals the truth
and asserts tlie contrary.

8. In conclusion, 1 beg to add three or four general re-
marks. The first is, that Mr. Bruyere's objections to the
system of providing the schools, &c., and the municipalities
with libraries, are perfectly frivolous and groundless, as in
regard to these the Separate Schools and the Roman Catholics
are placed upon precisely the same footing as the Public
Schools and the other classes of the population. The books
which Mr. Bruyere complains of as selectefl for the libraries
are not in the catalogue at all, and the histories which he re-
presents as having been omitted are all in the catalogue,
while the culture of the vast and varied fields of human
knowledge — common alike to the Romanist and Protestant
— is provided for by the best translations of the famed
authors of ancient Greece and Rome, by the best works on
every branch of natural history, science, and philosophy,
every department of human industry and enterprise, as also
of genius, imagination and taste ; and from this extensive
catalogue of some four thousand different works (several
thousand volumes) selections are made at the uncontrolled
discretion of those whom Mr. Bruyeie himself has pro-
nounced "citizens of the highest rtspectability by their
"moral character, education, and standing in society."

My second remark, is Mr. Bruyere's statements and ob-
jections, that religion is banished from our Common Schools
and that they are infidel, are equally groundless and untrue,
as may be seen by the appended correspondence, the official
regulations, and hundreds of official returns. Tlie only
ecclesiastic in Canada that ever proposed the "banishment
of religion from our Common Schools was Bishop Charbonnel
himself" In his oflicial correspondence with me, (printed
by order of the Legislative Assembly,) letter dated 1st of
May, 1852, the Bishop says — " I have said, that if the cat-
" ecliism were sufficiently taught in the family or by the
" pastor, so rare in this large Diocese — and If the mixed
" schoolfi %oere exclusively for secular instruction^ and without

:'«ii

" danger to our Catholics, in regard to morals, books and
"companions the C itlulic Hiei'iirchy might tolerate it, as I
" have done in certain localities, after having made due in-
'*quiiy." I am quite aware of the object of thus wishing
to banish all recognition of religion from our Common
Schools, {iS well as Mr, Bruyere's object in asserting that
such is now the fact. The same course was pursued by
Bishop Hughes and his partizans in the city of New York
some years since. Under the pretence of not permitting
anything denominational in the schools, the Bible was taken
out of the hands of the Protestant juipils, and every par-
agraph and sentence, and eviry word, in which any reference
to religion, or even the Divine Being was made in the school
books, was crossed or blotted out. I have in my possession
a specimen of this system of school-book emaculation in
order to conciliate (as it was suppost^d) Bishop Hu2;he8 and
his followei*8. Did it succeed ? C.ertairdy not. Tlie school
being thus rendered so objectionable to larire classes of Pro-
testants, it was thought they might be crushed altogether.
Bishop Hughes now denounced tliem, as Mr. Rruyere does
our Common Schools, as godUss, infidel, &c., and to be shunn-
ed by all mankind as the deadly fountains of infidelity. I
have endeavored to guard our school system and schools from
a similar danger by equally protecting the rights and interest
of both Protestant and homanist ; and this is the real ground
of the alarm and denunciations of Mr. Bruyere and his con-
try, who cla>s all as infidels that are not of their party, and
all taaching infidelity which is not given under their di-
rection. I will not consent to Mr. Bruyere's wresting from
the hands of a Protestant child his Bible — the best charter
of his civil liberty, as well as his best directory to heaven —
any more than I will force it into the hands of the Roman
Catholic child, or wrest from him his Catechism. Thus are
the assertions of Mr. Bruyere and his confreres falsified, and
their alien aggressions against our Common School system
defeated. In the days of the venerable Bishop McDonell
and the excellent Bishop Power, there was no such clamor
against our Common Schools, they were liable to greater
obj 'Ctions from that quarter than now; there were then no
such classification and denunciation of all as infidels who do
nor believe in the peculiar dogmas of the Church of Rome
— no such efforts to separate Roman Catholics and their
children from Protestants ; and the result was there were as

t I!

Hi
\

Bound Roman Catholics then as now, and the Roman Ca-
tholic children who were taught in the mixed schools are as
good Roman Catholics as those who have been, or are, taught
in the Separate Schools ; there were from six to twelve
Roman Catholics, members of the less numerous Legislative
Assembly of Upper Canada, elected by the common suffrages
of Protestant as well as Roman Catholic electors, insteadof
one, as at the present time, and he elected by protesting
iL^ainst Separate Schools and against priestly influence. Ten
dldbes and their contributors could not do as much to impair
the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, and blight the
hopes of its members in regard to such distinctions and
advantages as depend on the popular elective voice, as have
the Oharbonnels and Bruyeres of that Church during the
last five years. Though one may not regret this as a Pro-
testant, yet every benevolent and patriotic mind must lament
that there is any class of children or citizens in the country
so isolated as to deprive them of the mental development
and culture enjoyed by others, and cut off from the prospects
of all public offices and distinctions depending upon the
elective voice of the people to which intelligence, talent, in-
dustry and worth are justly entitled, irrespective of religious
sect or creed. It is to the Charbonnels and Bruyeres — the
infusion of a new foreign element into our country since the
days of Bishops McDonell and Power — that cnr Koman Ca-
tholic fellow citizens owe the cloudy, civil and social pros-
pects that are darkening the future of themselves and their
children. The palace3ike schoolhouses, richly furnished
with appropriate maps, charts, and other apparatus, which
inflict such pangs in the heart of Mr. Bruyere, are so many
voluntary creations of the people them.selves ; so many
bright illustrations of a glorious progress, in which Roman
Cauiolics, in common with all other classes, should, and may
equally participate. * I shouid falsify the whole of my past
life, and despise myself, were I not scrupulous to protect the
rights and feelings of Roman Catholics equally with those
of any, or all other classes of the community. It is certain
of their own ecclessiastics who have inflicted upon them
« urdens and disadvantages which their fathers liad not to
•ear in the days of Bishops McDonell and Power ; who have
)i ide that a mortal sin at a Municipal or School Election,
which was formerly no sin at all ; who deny the ordinances
for attending schools, an attendance at which was formerly

are as
taught
twelve
Lslative
ffrages
tead of
^testing
1. Ten
impair
gilt the
18 and
IS have
ng the
a Pro-
lament
jountry
opmeiit
respects
)on the
lent, in-
eligious
es — the
ince the
nan Ca-
ll pros-
id their
Tnished

which
) many
► many
Koman
nd may
ny past
tect the
li those
certain
)n them

not to
ho have
llection,
linances
brmerly

encouraged, when those ichools were more exceptionable
than at present. The conscientious convictions of which Mr.
Bruyere talks, have been manufactured to order, as also the
mortal sins which are charged upon certain Catholics. The
authors of such violations of the rights of both God and man ;
who treat the immortal minds of Koman Catholics just as the
American slave-holder does the mortal bodies of his slaves ;
who prohibit all mental development, all exercise of thought,
all participation of any mental food, the reception of even a
single ray of intellectual light, except at their own command,
and under their own manipulation ; the authors of such an
enslavement and extinction of all that is expansive and dig-
nified and noble in man, are alone responsible, if the Roman
Catholics and their decendents in Upper Canada become
" Hewers of wood and drawers of water" to other classes of
their fellow citizens, instead of standing upon equal footing
with them and rivalling them in intelligence, mental power,
enterprize, wealth, individual influence and public position.
But the authors of this new crusade for the creation of a
despotism in the State, and above the State, upon the wrecks
of Canadian intellect and civilization, seems as reckless of
principles as of consequences ; and to destroy our national
school system every variety of method is employed : — At
one time, all state provision for education is denounced, and
that in the face of state endowments for education in Lower
Canada — at another time it is insisted, not only that the
state, but that even the municipaUties shall collect and pro-
vide funds for the support of Roman Catholic schools, as
may be demanded from time to time by their supporters,
and that without any supervision or accountability such as
is required in regard to public schools equally open to all
classes of the community. At one time Members of Gov-
ernment and of the Legislative are thanked and praised for
having passed certain provisions of a Separate School law ;
at another time the very same persons are denounced from
the very same source for not having repealed those provi-
sions. The assertion that our school sare infidel is an insult
and libel upon the people of Upper Canada, who cherish
and support them ; and the pretence is as idle as it is ground-
less, that the pupil of a da^ school cannot be taught his cate-
chism at all unless taught it during the six hours per day of
the five days and a half of each week that he is in the
school, when he is sixteen hours each day, and the whole of
Sunday under the care of his parents and priest.

But as I have in my last annual report sufficiently vindi-
cated the relif^ious and impartial character of our school
system, I need not do so again in tliis place ; my present
object is only to defend it and myself against the fresh at-
tacks of Mr. Bruyere, and to expose the spirit and character
of his semi official manifesto.

My last remark is, that the same spirit wliich assails, mis-
represents and calumniates our public school system, is
equally hostile and cahimnious against everything British,
from th'j throne down to the school municipality. You can-
not open the journals in which the letters of Bishop Char-
bonnel and Mr. Bruyere find an echo without seeing them
largely devoted to selections and articles assailing the British
Government as the most unjust and execiable in ^^xistence,
both in its foreign diplomacy and domestic administration,
and the British nation as the most heartless and unprincipled
on tlie face of the globe. Were I to insert only those pas-
sages of this kind that 1 have marked, the reader would be
surprised and shocked at the concentration of enmity which
is cherished and inculcated by these journals against the
Government, character, institutions, ai d prosperity of the
mother countr3\ Their hostility to our system of public in-
struction is only one aspect or phase of a crusade against
everything that places Great Britain at the head of modern
civilization, and make her the asylum and guardian of liberty
for the oppressed of all nations, and develops her national
mind and resources beyond those of any other country in
Europe.

I trust the papers that have inserted his attacks will insert
this reply.

E. EYEKSON.
Education Office, )
Toronto, Dec. 22nd, 1856. f

Correspondence between Dr. Byerson and the Rev. J. M.
Bruyere^ on religious exercises and religious instruc-
tion's in the Common Schools — [referred to in the pro-
ceding.]

No. 1.] The Rev. J. M. Rruyere to the Chief Superintendent of Edu-
cation.
(L. E. 4882, 1836.)

Respected Sm, — ^The enclosed letter reached me yester-

day. Unal l3 to solve the qnestion proposed to me, I take
the liberty of addressing it to you, as tho most competent
judge in such a matter. Should you be so kind as to give
your opinion on the involved question, I will forward it to
Mr. Bulmer.

Hoping you will forgive the liberty I have thus taken in
trespassing on your valuable time,

I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,

(Signed) J. M. BRUYERE.

Db. Ryerson,

Chief Superin*^ ident of Education.

[Enclosure.]

"Windsor, Canada "West,

Oct. 21, 1856.

The Rev. J. Bruyere.

Dear Rev. Sir, — I hope you will excuse the liberty I
have taken in writing to you on a legal point of law, but as
many parties here cannot give, and even differ on the in-
volved question, I thought probably you could obtain me the
sobition and advice I seek far better in Toronto when so
near the Board of Education, than what I could in Windsor.
The point to which I refer is as regards the school tax of
this section. I am Teacher and Collector of School Sec-
tions Nos. 2 and 5, Township of Anderdon, County of Essex.
Being in want of money, the Tiustees empowered me to
collect the school tax as authorized by law, but when calling
on two or three Protestants, they protest against the tax, and
says it is a Catholic school.

1. The school is free and supported by general tax.

2. All the people, with three exceptions, are French, and
require the Christian Brothers' 2nd Book to lie used for
their children, while the Protestants use what books they
think proper.

3. Catholic prayers are used at the recommendation of
myself and Trustees, both at morning, noon and evening
prayers.

4. I have taught the French Catechism to the Catholics
wheu the confirmation was held at Moulton, during school
hour-, but only to the French children.

6. No religious knowledge has been taught to the three
Protectant children, and only a Christian Brothers' book,

34:

E i

2nd series, was given to one of them, when the boy brought
me 28. to bu^ one for him.

Tlie questions involved here are : Have we, by teaching
Catechism to the Catholic children during school hours, and
by using the Cliristian Brothere' books for Catholic child-
ren, exempted the Protestants from tax, and made the
school separate, instead of c ommon or public ?

This it the only school in the section, and the Protestants
have not demanded another, since all the children, with
three exceptions, are Catholics, and speak French. We
have only used the French books, with the exception when
a boy or class wished to learn English : then, and only then,
have we used the English translation.

We have closed school on days of observance by the
Trustees' order, but the Protestants object to it, and say they
will bring an action against us for violating the law, as only
certain holidays are allowed by law.

Your early reply will greatly oblige, as I am forced to
seize the goods and chattels of persons making default of
payment after ten days notice, which has nearly expired
tor all the Protestants.

I am, dear and Rev. Sir, your obedient servant,

(Signed) THOS. L. BULMER,

Teacher, Windsor.

P. S. — I teach school six miles from Maiden, but receive
my letters in Windsor, as my general residence is there.

T. L. B.

No. 2.] The Chief Superintendent to the Local Superintendent of An

derson.

Education Office,

Toronto, Oct. 27, 1856.
[No. 6649, S.]

Sib, — I will th?ink you to return the enclosed letter at
your earliest convenience, with such remarks and explana-
tions (on a separate sheet) as you may judge necessary.

I have the honor,

(Signed) E. RYERSON.

Joseph A. Bethelot, Esq.,

Local Superintendtntf Anderdon, Amherstburgh.

'ought

ichinc

rs, and

child-

de the

estants
1, with
. We
I when
y then,

3y the
ly they
as only

reed to
fault of
expired

ndsor.

receive
^ere.
. L. B.

nt of An

1856.

etter at
sxplana-
iary.

SON.

rh.

No. 3.] The Chief Superintendent to the Rev. J. M. Bruyere. .

Education Office,

Toronto, Oct. 27, 1856.
[No. 2650, S.]

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
note of the 23rd inst., and to state, in reply, that as the letter
enclosed by you involves facts, as well as (juestions of law,
I have felt it necessary (before answering it) to refer it to
the Local Superintendent of Anderdon fur liis report upon
the statements made. See 4th page of this letter.*
I have the honor, &c.,

(Signed) E. RYERSON.

The Rev. J. M. Bruyere, )

{In re. No. 2 and 5 Anderdon) >
Toronto. \

No. 4.] The Local Superintendent of Anderdon to the Chief Superin-
tendent.

Anderdon Township,
County of Essex, 0. W.
[L. R. 5046, 1856.]

[Not dated. Received E. O. 14th Nov., 1856.]

Sir, — My being absent from home will account for thig
delay in tne answer of yours of the 28th ult.. No. 2649 —
requesting I should return the enclosed with such remarks
ai.d any explanation I may judge necessary.

* Appeals to the Chief SuperirAendent of Education. — All parties
concerned in the operations of the Common School Laws have the
right to appeal to the Chief Superintendent of Education ; and he is
authorised to decide on such questions as are not otherwise provided
for by law. But for the ends of justice, — to prevent delay, and to save
expenses, — it will be necessary for any party thus appealing to the
Chief Superintendent of Education : L To furnish the party against
whom they may appeal with a correct copy of their communication to
the Chief Superintendent, in order that such party may have an oppor-
tunity of transmitting any explanation or answer they may judge ex-
pedient. 2. To state expressly, in the appeal to the Chief Superinten-
dent, that the opposite party has been thus notified, as it must not be
supposed that the Chief Superintendent will decide, or form an opinion
on any point affecting different parties, without hearing both sides —
whatever delay may at any time be occasioned in order to secure such
hearing. Application for advice in Common School matters, should, in
all cases, be first made to the Local Superintendent having jurisdic-
tion in the Municipality.

< ,1

I would inform yon that in my great desire to start or
cstabliHli a good and large 8ciiool in bcctions Mo. 2 and f!,
wliich liad been ko sorniwtully neglected, that I felt it ne-
cessary, and justitied under thee rcuinstanci's, in grant ngto
Trustees and Teacher, certain j)rivilei.e8 whi« h may he con-
sideied, in some degree, a violation of the law regulating
Common Schools. The children being all small, and all
French except two; parents wisliing they should be taught
French for the tirfet year at least, if not the sr-econd ; tlnre
being no translation of the l)ook8 authoiized, I jtermitted
them to use such books a? are us^td in the Township of
Sandwich and Lower Canada. As regards the teaching of
Catecliism to the children, it was imclerstno . to be out of
school, in oth'.-r woids stter school hours. I knew that if I
did not allow a slight violation of the law, the section would
be w^ithout a school, now consist iig of 50 to 60 pupils. I
would here remaik that the two or three Pi'Otestants whom
Mr. Buhner, the teacher, speaks of, are peifectly justified in
pi'otesting against the tax impo-ed by teachers : — not know-
mg the circumstances under which 1 acted ; whenexpla ned
to them, which I will do in a few days, tiiey, I f. el assured,
will justify the slight viohition, and pay the tax willingly ;
and more, if it is deemed neces-ary to keep the school in
its present condition, I tVel wt-U assured that the strict ad-
herence to the letter of the law by the last Superintendent
was the cause of so small a number of children attending
school. 1 am also fully satisfied from what has traiij-pired,
that a slight deviation in nothing very essential does remove
objections which parents frequently urge as an excuse lor
not sending their children to school. It is a true and mel-
ancholy fact that in this and adjoining Townships the
majority are constantly urging reasons for n^t sending their
children, and it is only by a personal vipit oi* the Supeiin-
ten lent — and not always successful — to every head of family,
to urge, and I might almost say beg of th. m to send their
children, to enable you to form anything like a good school.
I have thought it advisable to state a few facts to give you
some idea of the difficulties attending the dut es of a Super-
intendent who feels as he should about schools, they must
palliate any slight deviation from his duties which are
clearly ])ointed out. I have no doubt but what the Tiustees
have clone some little things that might be taken advantage
of, but I have every reason to think that they have acted

fart or
ami f.,
: it ne-
t ng to
)e con-
ilatiiig
Did ail
taught
; tlnre
mitted
ship of
liing of
out of
lat if I
would
jils. I
whom
iHeil in
kuow-
pia lied
ssured,
lingly ;
hool ill
ict ad-
ieu dent
ending
spired,
•emove
use lor
d mel-
ps the
their
upei ill-
family,
d their
Hchool.
ve you
Super-
ly must
ich are
J ustees
-antage
e acted.

hotieBtly, and thought it lawful and right. BhoQid it be'
thought beet, and proper to make a change in the manage*
ment of the school sections Nor. 2 and 6, after the reaaona
liere given for my allowing certain privileges, I world aak
for advice and instructions.

Yours respectfully,

(Signed) JOSEPH A. BERTELOT,

Local Superintendent in Anderdon Town«hi)>.

No. 6.3 Tlie Chief Superintendent to the Rev. J. M. Bruyere.

Education Officb,
Toronto, Nov. 25, 1856.
[No. 2795 T.]

Sir, — In reference to vour letter of the 23rd ult., the re-
ceipt of which I acknowledged on the 27th ult., I have rer
ceived from the Local Superintendent of Anderdon (Mr. J,
A. Eerthelot') his explanation relative to the matters referr-
ed to in tiie letter of the Trustees of School Sections Nos. 2
aud 5 in that Township, which you had enclosed to me, ai^d
on whica you request my interpretation of the echool law.

1. TI»>e law in Upper Canada does not permit any authority
whatever to interfere between the parent or guardian and
child in regard to religious instruction. Ilie law on the
subject of using books, and giving religious instructions in
the public schools, is as follows : — " No foreign books in the
English branches of education shall be used in any modeler
common school, without the express permission of the Council
of Public Instruction, nor shall any pupil in any sudi school
be required to read or study in or from any r.-Iigiou8 book,
or join in any exercise of devotion or religion, which shall
be objected to by his parents or guardians ; provided always
that within this limitation, pupils shall beallowedto receive
such religious instruction as their parents or guardians shall
desire, according to the general regulations provided accord-
ing to law." — ^(School Act of 1850, Section 14.)

On this section of the Act the Council of Public Instruc-
tion have founded the following remarks and regulations:
" III the secti(»n of the act thus quoted the principle of re-
ligious instruction in the schools is recognizjed. Tue restric-
tion within which it is to be given is stat6dj and the ex-
clusi^e rigl;^t of each pai'entand guai'dian on tlae subject ig
o

secnred without any interposition from Trustees, Superinten-
dent, or the Government itself; therefore it shall be a matter
of mutual voluntary arrangement betw^n the Teacher, and
the parent or guardian of each pupil, as to whether he shall
hear such pupil recite from the catechism or other summary
of religious doctrine and duty, of the pei'suasion of such
parent or guardian."

In regard to devotional exercises the Council of Public
Instruction, after recommending that the daily exercises of
each common school shall be opened and cloeed by de-
votional exercises, remark that " The Lord's prayer alone, or
the forms of prayer hereto annexed may be used, or any
other prayer preferred by the Trustees and Teacher of each
common school."

According to the above quoted provisions of the act and
the regulations founded upon it, you will perceive that the
restriction as to the use of foreign books in the schools does
not apply to any published in the French, or in any other
than the English language, that the Trustees, Teacner and
parents of the pupils of the school referred to by you, can
exercise their own discretion, as to the prayers and books
of religious instruction, and the religious instruction given to
the pupils of the school, so as not to compel the Protestant
children to be present at them against the wish of their
parents or guardians, or lessen the amount of secular in-
struction to which they are entitled in the school.

I have the lienor, «S:c.,

."' (Signed) E. KYERSON.

The Rev. J. M. Bruyere,
; (In re. Kos. 2 and 5 Anderdon,)
Toronto. ,. .

S!'

{From the Leader 1 Wednesday y December 24, 1856.)

"Wo publish this morning a reply from Dr. Ryerson,
Chief Superintendent of Education, to a letter of the Rev.
Mr. Bruyere which lately appeared in our columns, on the
subject of the Clergy Reserves' monies. The letter of the
Rev. Mr. Bruyere was called forth by a circular from
the Chief Superintendent of Education to the Municipalities,
urging them to apply those monies to educational purposes.
The Rev. Mr. Bruyere objected to the devotion of these funds
to the purchase of books, on the ground alleged by him, that

the official list of works out of which the township lihraries
were selected, was unfair, from its sectarian bias, to the
Koman Catholic religion. It is now shown that the rev.
gentleman was inerror in regard to certain exclusions as well
as inclusions in that list ; though whether Dr. Kyerson does not
go too far in asserting that his opponent was wrong in every
case to which he alluded, is a question not to bo decided
without reference to the list itself. Tliose who are curious
upon that point may, if they can obtain a list — not one of
which we have ever seen — set about the solution of the ques-
tion by an actual examination.

Dr. Ryei*son still retains something of the controversial
style of the early journalism of the Province, when it was
but an infant colony. He is profuse in epithets, bandies
motives and kicks about accusations in the approved style
of village newspaper literature. It is an old and inveterate
habit ; and we are more than half inclined to excuse it on
that score. But it i» not exactly the moderate and concili-
atory style that we are accustomed to look for in an official.
A semi-official decorum seems to demand that such contro-
versies should be c«>nducted in a style at once more concise
and modest ; retaining all the energy and force necessaiy to
the assertion of facts and the rectification of error. The ex-
traneous matter which Dr. Ryerson has dragged into his
reply is but a symptom of an incurable fondness for that
railing controversy which has such sn attraction for juvenile
minds, and which once formed into a habit cannot be shaken
off" by any but a superior mind. It is absurd for Dr. Ryer-
son to profess to steer clear of religious preferences, when he
speaks of " conscientious convictions manufactured to order."
and a thousand other things of the same kind. AVe are not
aware that he has received any special mission from above
to judge of the genuineness or spuriousness of conscientious
convictions ; but if he has any credentials of this kind, he
ought by all means to make them known. But as to the
main question ; if he consulted all parties interested in
making the list of books for libraries ; if he inserted such
works as Bishop Charbonnel indicated, by way of balancing
others of an opposite character, he must be confessed to have
acted with a degree of fairness for which he is entitled to
some credit. As we said before, all histories which relate
to the pcr'od of the Protestant Reformation, are more or less
one-sided ; more or less the biassed apologists of the parti-
c2

. 'i

'!<

f
( .»■

aaus or opponents of that great event ; and the only thingf

Eracticable is fairly to allow both sides to be heard. If this
e done there can be no well-founded cause of complaint ; if
not done, a remedy is indi8pensal)le.

In the meantime, we suspect the Municipalities will dis-
pose of the Keserves' revenues for such purposes as tliey
think proper, without much regard to outride advice from
any quarter.

The rejoiner of Father Beuyere to Dr. Ryersox will be.
found in our columns to-day. He clearly convicts the Sa-
perintendent of Education of falsehood in regard to the list
of books from which township libraries are selected ; and in
several other respects is more than a match for the official.
His style and tone certainly contrast most favorably with,
those of Dr. Ryekson.

REV. J. M. BRUYERE'S REJOINDER TO DR. RYERSON.

TO THE CONDITCnORS OF THE PRESS IN CANADA,

The long expected reply of the Chief Superintendent of
Education, at length, made its appearance in The Zeacler of
the 2i:th ult. The perusal of it has brought back to the rqt
ooUection of many, tlie old adage of the Latin poet :

Parturiunt monies, nascetur ridiculus

Mus.
Which I translate freely, thus :

Dr. Ryerson^ after several weeks of painful labor, has brought forth a
ridiculous

— Fuss.

Tlie rev. gentleman starts off with a sarcasm upon what
he chooses to call the extravagance and puerility oi' the Rev.
Mr. Bruyere's letter. If I am not mistaken, an impartial
public is naturally inclined to look over with indulgence the
occ&'iional puerUUies which may escape an earnest and hon-
est man. But I doubt whether they will extend the same
indulgence to the crudities thrown broadcost in the face of
two hundred millions of believers in the Church of Rome.
Pause awhile, reader. The creed of Catholics is termed by
Dr. Ryei*son ^^conscientious convictions manufactured to
ord^r.'^'* No one better than the Chief Superintendent of
Education, knew the falsehood of a chai-ge which, besides,
isthe^most outrageous insult offered to Catholics, as ration^

beings atid believere in a creed which is professed by the
greatest geniuses as well as the most limited capacities. This
creedmaniffacfwed to order was believed by the conquerors
ofPoictiers, Crescj, and Agincourt, by Bossuet, Fen61on,
Massillon, Descartes, Mallebranche, Tasso, Napoleon. It is
professed bv such weak-minded men as Cardinal Wiseman
and Archbishoj) Hughes. Many of the most gigantic intel-
lects and profound reasoners of the present day have made
their profession of this creed, lit only for brutes, according
to Dr. Kyerson : The Schlegels, the Stulbergs, the Hellers,
the Hurters, the Newmans, the Brownsons, the Mannings,
and the Wilberforces. It is daily embraced by Dukes,
Duchesses, Peers, men of the highest nobility, resplendent
•\vith learning and virtue. Over live hundred rainistere of
different denominations, have during the last ten years,
made their solemn profession of these consdentioits convio-
tions manufactured to order. I thank most sincerely the
in dependent and noble Editor of The LeadiV, who, in his
i-di; i;al remarks of the 24th ult., flung a manly rebuke in
the face of the reviler of the faith of his fellow-christians.

Doctor Ryerson, in order to prevent public indignation
from falling heavily upon his godless system of education,
endeavors to depict me as the rejfyi'esentathe and organ of a
party — a small and inconsiderable party, doubtless leagued
for the destruction of State 8choolism. With a view of
bringing upon my devoted head an overwhelming weight
of odium, he attempts to draw a line of distinction between
the native clergy and the foreign clergy, between those
of former days and those lately entered into the ministry
in this Province. Alluding to me personnally, and to his
Lordship In-. DeCharbonnel, now in Europe, he bestows
upon ue !;■>: -id epithet borrowed from the Olohe, his new
organ, — of f i\?ign clergy, the infusion of a new foreign
element, unacquainted, of course, with our Canadian Institu-
tions and usages. The hypocrite son of John Wesley, con-
descends to speak in terms of praise of the veneraUe Bishop
Macdonnell and the excellent Bishop Poioer, insinuating as
clearly as language can convey his meaning, that the saintly
Bishops above named were rather favorable to State
Schooli ' 1. In their days, if we are to believe Dr. Ryerson,
there uo? no such clamor against mir Common /Schools.

Now, as to the injurious imputation which the Chief Su-
perintendent of Education bafi ti'ied to fasten upon t^^

■!'

I >. it

^i i

f '.U

character of the late lamented Bishop Power, I am happy in
being able to scatter it to the four winds. I have before me
a letter addressed last March, to the Editor of the Colonist
in this City, by the Honorable John Ehnslcy, of Toronto. I
beg leave to lay before Dr. Ryerson and those it may con-
cern, the following extracts from the document alluded to.
Addressing the Editor of the Colonist, the Honorable Mr.
Elmsley says : "Following the unhappy example of Dr.
Ryerson, and indeed almost using his words you have thought
proper to allege that Bishop Power understood the workmg
of tne Public School System, and died contented." As to
the first portion of this allegation, I am in a position to
Btate that Bishop Power was certainly not long in coming to
a perfect undei-standing of the workings of that infidel system
to the latter portion, that he 'I'ed contented therewith, I am
equally competent to state, * ' lo hereby declare, that
it is totally void of truth. His . dship did. me the honor
to confide to my charge a large share in the working of the
Catholic Separate School System, from the moment that he
understood the workings of the other, or mixed system, until
it pleased Almighty God to call him to the enjoyment of his
reward in Heaven. In favor of Catholic Schools he devoted
his best energies ; and were he now living, he would set
himself vigorously to the work of counteracting the effects
of those educational establishments which practically ignore
the dogmas of the Christian Religion, and are rapidly sub-
siding into pure deism * * * * Your encomiums, in
80 far as they relate to the line of conduct j^ou have attributed
to him, are severe reproaches ; and I am most happy in
having it in my power to state, for the benefit of all whom
it may concern, that our late Bishop w^as a most energetic
advocate and supporter of Catholic Separate Schools, and
most resolutely opposed to mixed.

" I have the honor to be. Sir,

** Your obedient servant,

"T. ELMSLEY."

Commentary on the above document is unnecessary. The
Honorable Mr. Elmsley is as well known in this city as Dr.
Ryerson. For honesty, candor, and character, tiie former
stands, at least, on on equality with the latter. From the
perusal of Mr. Elmsley's letter, the public mav judge what
iaith is to be placed in the Chief Superintendent's insinaa-

tion, that Bishop Power was favorable to mixed educntion,
or State Schof^lisra. As to the Venerable Bishop Macdon-
nell, as Dr. Ryerson affects to call him in his new-fangled
veneration for a Catholic Prelate, I know nothing of his
dispositi<»n concerning Mixed or Separate Schools. This
go >d man had gone to the enjoyment of his reward in Hea-
ven long before my coming into this Province. But from
the barefaced imputation ca^t upon Bishop Power's charac-
ter by the Chief Superintendent of Education, I may safely
inter, that the Venerable Bishop of Kingston was about as
much in love with the working and fruit of the Common
School Sj^stein, as is the present incumbent of the Catholic
See of Toronto.

That the opposition to the State School System may not
have been^ consequent upon its immediate introduction into
the neighbouring Republic, as decided and universal as it is
at the present tnne, may be readily accounted for. Many
honest men, among whom were some Catholic Clergymen,
in a spirit of conciliation, may have been willing to give it a
trial. But as the tree is known by its fruits, mis criterion
has not been wanting to the Common School System. I
have before me evidences of its deleterious results in the
United States, which fall with crushing power upon its sup-
porters and advocates. I will select a few of them, all taken
from Protestant authorities, and from some of the leading
American papers. The New York Church Joumaly in an
article headed " The Common School System a failure,"
says : " Tlie Common School System is proving a disastrous
failure. It has grown up on the pledges it has given of its
ability to make crime less frequent, to confer greater security
to life and property, and to give elevation to the tone of
national morality. But it does not at all fulfil these pro-
mises. The whole system, we regret, is proving a lament-
able failure." In the same article, my authority goes on
saying: "The prevailing system is lamentably defective;
in that it does not aim at the training of the whole man ;
neglecting as it does, the moral and controling powei*s of
human nature, and concentrating all its force upon the de-
velopment of the intellectual." Again, in the same article :
"The prevalent notion that mankind are vicious because
ignorant, and that to make them virtuous, it is only neces-
sary to make them intelligent, is contradicted alike by sound
philosophy and universal experience." Next follows a re-

■A

port of the Prison AsBOciAtion of New York, revealing a
xnoBt alarming increase of crime, since the introduction of the
Commen School System into the country." Tlie Richmond
Examiner^ another Protestant paper, has the following : " The
worst of all tliese abominations, because when once ins ailed,
it becomes the hot-bed propagator of all — is the modem
system of free schools. We forget who it is that has charged
and proved, that the Kew England system of free schools,
has been tlie cause and prolific source of all the legions of
terrible infidelities and treasons that have turned her cities
into Sodoms and Gomorrah s, and her fair lands into the com-
mon nestling-place of howling bedlamites." Lately the
American papers filled their columns with a series of start-
ling revelations as to the morals of the '"'' Common Schools
in Massachusetts." These revelations, says a contemporary,
are altogether too beastly for us to transfer to our columns.
Suffice it to say, that they establish the fact, that the
boasted " Common Schools" of our republican neighbors,
especially tlie ' girls' school," are — we do not say but little
better, but — a good deal worse than the ordinary places of
debauch which abound in large cities."

Were it necessary, I might extend my quotations to any
desirable length. The above will suffice, I trust, to convince
any sensible man, that Catholics have some reason for their
hostility to State Schoolism, and their preference for Free
Separate Schools. The Common Schools presided over by
i)r. Ryerson are but an importation from the New England
States, where they have produced their disastrous effects.
Our Common Schools are the worthy daughters of Yankee
Land. There, contempt of all religion and its Ministers^
infidelity, Know-Nothmgism, riot, and bloodshed, have kept
pace with the progress and prosperity of State-Schoolism.
Behold the precious inheritance which Dr. Ryerson is pre-
paring to bequeath to Canada, should this deleterious educa-
tion be foi'ced upon us, and kept upon our necks, in spite of
oureelves. Already the unhappy fruits of Dr. Ryerson's
schools are but too apparent in our midst. I allude to the
frequent instances of rudeness and ill manners experienced
by Clergymen ot our Church at the hands of some of these
juvenile Socrates, the pride of this Model Education. Hardly
a week passes, but some Catholic Priest is insulted in some
way or other by youths who are not educated in our schools.
In mentioning the above incidents, I do not wish to be

undorstoood that such rude and nncooth manners are toler-
ated, much less inculcated by the gentlemen of the Educa-
tion Office. The Chief Superintendent and his amiable
colleagues are tht last men in the world, who would counte-
nance such disgraceful acts. What 1 mean to say is, that BU(.*h
total disregard of Christian feeling and good manners, is the
icsult of that system of education pursued in the Common
Schools, viz : the absence of religious training. To make an
honest man, a CTiristian, a polished gentleman, something
more is requisite than reading, writing, arthmetic, astronomy,
natural history, etc., etc. From the teaching of the declen-
sion of nouns, the variation of the article, and the conjuga-
tion of verbs, the child will never learn " to do unto others
as he would have tiiem do unto him." Let him master
the rule of three, he will not, on that account, understand
the distinction between mine and thine. Education, with-
out religion, will never cure the vices and ill-manners which
are observable among the pupils of the Common Schools.
Religion is the only antidote to crime. But, as all religion
must neccessarily be excluded from the " Common Schools"
of a community whose members have no religion in com-
mon, it follows that the Common School System is inade-
quate to the object contemplated, viz : the preservation of
society.

In presence of the above facts, which stare every sensible
man in the face, who can refrain from smiling with pity at
Dr. Eyerson's impudent assertion that the people qf Upper
Canada cherish and support them^ (the Common Sshools,)
when it is remembered tliat the whole Catholic population
are dissatisfied with the working and sad fruits of State Ed-
ucation, and are calling for Free Schools ? — when you take
into consideration that nearly all the members of the Church
of England, and many of those in connection with the
Church of Scotland, and the liberal and enlightened of all
denominations, are opposed to them, and establish schools of
their own, at the same time that they are made to support
State schools ? At this very moment. Catholics are busily
engaged in establishing and supporting their own Free
Schools, notwithstanding the odious restrictions with which
the Separate School Law is hampered. In pursuing this lino
of conduct, Catholics and other assertoi*s of freedom of
education, are guided by the unerring principles of eternal
justice and equity. They claim, as a cotemporary says, the

i'W

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■Jr

M^^

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right and privilege to provide for the edncation as for the
feeding and clothing of their children. They maintain that
on parents, and not on the State, has the Creator of the uni-
verse imposed the obligation to provide for all the wants,
corporal, intellectual, moral and rv?Hgious of their offb|)ring.
No power on earth can withdraw thum from their control.
The principle assumed by the Chief Superintendent of Edu-
cation and the friends of State schoolism, viz., that it is the
duty of the State to provide for the education of all the youth
of the country, has been imported from pagan Lacedaemon.
There, the infant was examined by the Magistrate ; and if found
feebleand deformed, and likely to be a burden to the State, it
was doomed to immediate destruction. If strong, it was left to
the mother's care till it had attained its seventh year. At
that age, the child was entrusted to the public master, and
his education was left to the wisdom of the law. I take the
liberty of reminding Dr. Ryerson and his friends, that we-
are living in a Christian country, and blessed with the be-
nign influence of a more humane Gospel than that of Ly-
curgus, the celebrated lawgiver of Sparta. To the parents,
not to the State, the child belongs : so, at least, the law of
God and of nature proclaims. From the parent's control no
power on earth can snatch him.

But because Catholics claim the privilege of educating
their children, as they deem proper, and in their own schools,
they are cried down by Dr. Ryerson as the abettors of ig-
norance, as the future " Hewers of wood and drawee's of
water. ''^ Because, forsooth ! they ^o not wish to be placed
under the once shouting Methodist Preacher, they are re-
presented hy\\\n\Q!ihQmg prohibited all mental development,
all exercise of thought, allpartici/pation of any mental food,
the reception of even a single ray of intellectual light. If
such be the unhappy intiuence of the Roman Catholic
Church, over mental culture, intelligence and education,
how gloctmy must be the horizon of the capital of the Catho-
lic world, the dread Rome ! The following extract from an un-
exceptionable witness, because aProtestant and a Scotchman,
will, perhaps, render my distinguished antogonist more diffi-
dent of himself, for the future, when he presumes to lecture
on Catholic education. My authority is Dr. Laing, a well
known Presbyterian Minister and a tourist, who relates
what he himself saw and had full opportunity of ex-
In his " Notes of a Traveller,'^ which appeai'ed

ammmg.

in 1844, he says : — " In Catholic Germany, in France, and
even in Italy, the education of the common people in reading,
writing, nrithmotic, music, niannerf^, and morals, is at least,
as generally diliused and as faithfully promoted by the cleri-
cal bofly J 8 in Scotlan<l. It is by tlieir own advance, and
not bv keeping back the advance of the people, that the
popish priesthood of the present day seek to keep ahead of
the intellectual progress of tiie community in Catholic lands ;
and they might, perhaps, retort on our r*resbyterian clergy
and ask if they too are, in their country, at the head
of the intellectual movement of the age ? Education is,
in reality, not only not repressed, but is encouraged by
the Popish Church, and it is a mighty instrument in its
hands, and ably used. In every street in Rome, for instance,
there are, at short distances, public primary schools fur the
education of the children of the lower and middle classes in
the neighborhood. Rome, with a population of 158,678
souls, has three hundred and seventy-two primary schools,
with four hundred and eighty two teachers, and fourteen
thousand children atending them. Has Edinburj? so many
schools for the instruction of those classes ? 1 doubt it.
Berlin, with a population cf about double that of Rome, has
only two hundred and sixty-four schools. Rome has also her
University, with an average attendance of six hundred and
sixty students : and the papal States, with a population of
two and a half millions, contain seven Universities. Prussia,
with a population of fourteen millions, has but seven." The
reader will remark that the number of primary schools, in
the city of Rome alone, is put down by Dr. Laing at three
hundred and stventy-two. This number is, perhaps, some-
what below the mark. According to the Roman Almanac
for 1834, Rome then had three hundred and eighty-one free
schools. This number has not likely decreased since, as the
population has been steadily increasing. It must be re-
collected that many of these free schools are supported by pri-
vate charity, whilst those of Protestant countries are maintain-
ed only by burdensome taxation. The perusal of the above
splendid testimony of Dr. Laing in behalf of Catholic edu-
cation in Catholic Rome, will readily remind the reader of
the well known proverb : "Truth is powerful, and will pre-
vail." The distinguished traveller cannot be suspected of
partiality to Catholic Rome. His predjudices and bigotry
againstit are only half concealed. Kotningbut the power

■ft

of truth conld extort it. Dr. Ryerson, who seems to take
epecinl delight in expatiating^ on all participation of any
intellectual J-ood being prohibited to the followers of the
Church of Kome, would do well to take a lesson of candor
and honesty li'oni his brother minister. His education, in this
respect, I am sorry to say, must have been sadly suliicient.
His knowledge of Greek, Latin, Astronomy, or Botany, will
never compensate before an impartial public, for the total
absence of candor and sincerity.

In spite of my anxiety to discover in Dr. K3'^er8on'8 long
document, something sensible and tnithful, I find myself
altogether disappointed. Against his assertion that the
Roman Catholic children^ who have been taught in the mix-
ed schools^ are as good Roman Catholics as those who have
heen, or are^ taught in the Separate Schools, I beg to protest
most emphatically. On the authority of the oldest and best
informed Catholic Clergymen of Canada, I am able to assert,
that with a few honorable exceptions, these sou7id Roman
Catholics, educated in mixed schools, may be honorable
men, htaiest men, according to the Protestant sense ol
the word ; but, practical, religious, scnipulous observers of
the rules of their church, they are not. They are Catholics
in name ; Protestant, or half-heathen, in practice. They are
Protestant to all intents and purposes. Therefore we can
well atlbrd to s:ive them up to the Chief Superintendent of
Education in Upper Canada. They are as Catholic and as
Protestant as himself. Behold the secret and great spring
of the efibrts put forth by Dr. Ryei'son and his new organ,
the Globe, to support Common Schools. Our enemies of
have sworn to destroy Catholicity in this Province. It
their blind and inveterate hatred against it, they have not
been able to contrive a more efficient plan that the Com*
mon Schools. Hence they move heaven and earth to
uphold their tottering and crumbling machinery.

I come now to the examination of the charges brought
against me, at the Supreme Court of the Education Office,
in Upper Canada. I am charged with wilful error, in regard
to certain exclusions as well as inclusions in my list of books,
which are likely to be admitted in, and excluded from, the
Public Libraries. The Chief Superintendent of Education
asserts that neither Hume nor Gibbon are to be found in his
libraries. I repeat again, on the authority of my own ey^d,
that the above-named works are contained in the Joimied

) to take
of any
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iliicient.
,ny, will
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qf- Educatiqtv^ for 1853, under the h«ad of " General Catalo-
gue of Works for Public Libraries in Upper Canada." I
will add, mt)roover, that lest the youthful reader should be
toni[jtud to shun these poisonous sources of scepticism and infi-
delify, to the title of these dangerous books are ap))ended
notes well calculated to arouse curiosity in the mind of
the reader, and entice him to tast^ of the forbidden truit.
The history of the Decline and Fall of the lioman Empire,
by E. Gibbon, is said in the Catalogue, prepared l)y Dr.
Ryerson, to be a work which, " if it is not always history,
is often soujething more than history ; it is philosophy, it
is theology, it is wit and eloquence, it is criticism the most
masterly on every subject with which literature can be ccn-
nected" Of the History of England by D. Hume, it is said
iu the note appended to it by Dr. liyerson : " Though not
impartial, nor free fi'om religious scepticism, it is the most
generally read history of England ever written. The author's
pljilosophical turn of thought and beauty of diction, together
with his skill in arranging and grouping facts, invest his
history with an interest that never flags." So much for the
intidel Hume and sceptical Gibbon, which are not in Dr.
Ryerson's libraries. If the Rev. gentleman has a catalogue-
of books different from the one under my eyes, let him
publish it in some of our city papers, that tlie public may
judge for themselves. I have assorted that Bossuet's His-
tory of the Variations is not in the libraries got up by the
Chief Superintendent. No allusion was made by me to
Bossuet's Discourse on Universal History. Hereupon Dr.
Ryerson takes me to task. I repeat the assertion. The
reply of the Chief Superintendent is a miserable quibble,
unworthy of an official. I repeat again, on the authority
of the catalogue before me, Cardinal vViseman's Lectures on
the principal Doctrines and Practices of the Catholic,
Church, are not in the catalogue. I did not allude to Car-
dinal "VViseman's Lectures ou the Connection between
Science and Revealed Religion. The History of England by
Lingard, D. D., is in the catal gue, but with an appropriate
note by the Chief Superintendent, warning his readers that
Dr. Lingard is a Catholic Priest^ and an advocate of the
Roman Catholic Church. That is to say : beware reader I
it is the production of a Popish Priest. Does Doctor Ryer-
son append such warning to books composed by Protestant,
writers, to put Catholics on their guaVd? Ko, of course:

•I

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nothing nnsotind cftn come from a Protestant pen. I beg to
assure the Chief Superintendent that the mistake about the
antiquities of the Anglo-Saxon Churcli by Rev. Dr. Lingard,
history of the Christian Church by T. lleevo, nnd abstracts
of the history of the Christian Church by tlio Rev. W.
Gahan, was quite unintentional on my part. The reader,
however, may judge of the importance attached by Dr.
Ryerson to the unintentional exclusion of some two or three
small volumes, when it is remembered, that out of over
4,000 works mentioned in the catalogue, not perhaps twenty
works come from the pen of sound Catholic authors So
much for the fairness and honesty with which Dr. Ryerson
boasts of having acted in the selection of books for public
libraries.

I stand accused by the Chief Superintendent of Education,
inhisusualchasteandchoicestyie, of being, together with his
Lordship Bishop de Charbonnel, an infusion of a new
foreign element into our country — Queiy : if I am already
infused, how can I be a foreign element ? Has Dr. Ryer-
son, by some chemical process separated the foreign from* the
native element? Before I answer the charge, I beg to
suggest to the rev. gentleman of the Education Office, when
he cliooses to honor me again with his scurrilous diatribes, to
let Dr. De Charbonnel alone. Ilis Lordship is now in
Europe, consequently unable to repel the cowardly attacks
of the Chief Suprintendent of Education. I may be per-
mitted, en passant^ to inform his Reverence, Dr. Ryerson,
that Bishop De Charbonnel, with less means, by far, at his
command, than have been laid under the control of the Chief
Superintendent, has done more for the cause of education in
Canada, in five years, than Dr. Ryerson will ever be able to
accomplish in twenty years, should the Almighty, for the
punishment of our sins, inflict him on us during that space of
time. To return to the verv serious charge brought against
me, viz : of being an infusion of a nev) foreign element into
this country^ I do not hesitate in sa3iing, that the accusation
betrays an equal amount of ignorance of Catholic feelings,
and of malice. Had Dr. Ryerson lived in the days of the
Apostles, he would, doubtless, have cried them down as an
importation from a foreign clime. These messengers of
heavenly tidings, who carried the faith of C irist to the
diflerent nations, were not natives, says Archbishop Hughes,
of the several countries in which they propagated Christiani-

«:

I beg to

bout the
Lingard,
fibstracts
Rev. W.
e reader,
I by Dr.
or three
t of over
8 twenty
lors So
Ryerson
or public

Incation,
with his
f a neto

already
)r. Ryor-
fromthe

beg to
3e, when
;ribes, to

now in

attacks
' be per-
iyerson,
ir, at his
he Chief
jation in
} able to
, for the
space of
; against
lent into
cusation
feelings,
^8 of tne
rn as an
igers of
t to the
Elughes,
ristiani-

tr. They were by national origin Jews ; by the jfrace of
divine faith, they became Christians. In tfie eyes of the
Catholic Church, there is neither foreigner nor native.
Neither the Church nor its members slioufil be called a nrw
foreign element on any continent or inland of this globe. In
the Catholic Church, the Catholic of foreign birth stands on
an equality with the Catholic of native origin. Under the
infiuenco of the Catholic or universal principle representa-
tives of all nations are blended together into a unity which
has its foundation on the Eternal Wisdom, who came down
from Heaven to form a Church of all nations and of all
peoples. Such is the doctrine inculcated almost in every
page of that sacred book, which Catholics believe to be the
Word of Eternal Tinith. Dr. Ryerson may talk as long as
he pleases, about his natiyeism. It is but a mere accident
common to him with the insect of the bog and the fox of the
forest. His boasted na^^ivism is calculated to make him the
laughing stock of all sensibilo men.

Because an opponent of State Schoolism and an asserter
oi Freedom of Education, I am accused by the Chief Super-
intendent of Education, of being an obstacle to the diffusion
of h lligence^ mental power, enterprise, wealth, individual
inf V, and puhlio position. Now, hark, dear reader, to
the real meaning of the Chief Supei-intendent of Education.
His Reverence addresses you to this effect : "There is no
intelligence except in my Halls of Science ; no learning,
except in my Schools. Every where else ignorance and
degradation prevail. Your Christian Brothers, your Nuns,
your Sisters of Charity, are all blockheads, stupid donkeys,
compared with my teachers of the Model Schools .You, my
darling Municipalities, do not believe a w^ord of what Rev.
Mr. Bru} ere tells you ; he is a Popish Fiiest. Give me a little
more money ; give me the whole Clergy Reserve fund. If you
cannot give the whole, give me, at least, part of it. With this
money 1 will rear throughout the breadth and length of the
land, palace-like schools. I will furnish them with the richest
school apparatus ; I will supply them with plenty of maps,
globes, charts, ect., ect. ; I wilt make them real rat-traps, hold-
ing out the mos^tfticing baits. You, my dear little Papists,
come to my schools — my Model Schools. I will soon make
you ashamed of your religion and of your Church. Come,
ye little Papists. — ^You, Bishop De Charbonnel, and you.
Padre Bruyere ; you are both scoundrels for opposing me

In my noble efforts in behalf of my Model Schools ; ye afe
the abettors of ignorance, the promoters of darkness, for
keeping yoiir little Papists from coming under my parental
care. I will soon make you feel the weight of my indigna-
tion, jf you persist in your denunciation of my benevolent
design. By George I I will destroy your Separate Schools,
and send your Brothers and Kuns to Halifax, if you do iict
hold your tongue and stop your pen." Behold, reader, the
real cause of the terrible roarhig of the Lion of the Educa-
tion office.

Lastly,! am charged with being the representative and organ
of a party. When Dr. Ryerson utturcd this, he said what
is untrue, and what he knew to be untrue. Unlike our
neighbors, Catholics are not split up on any question of vital
importance. On the question of education, as well as on
any subject of equal weight, we pre not divided into a thous-
and fractions. Ko: We are united in one compact body,
animated by the same feeling, guided by the same views.
I avail myseli of this opportunity to inform the worthy
Superintendent of Education, tliat I am but a feeble echo of
that mighty voice of 1,150,000 Roman Catholics, which,
thunder-like, resounds from Sandwich to Gaspe, from
the shores of our beautiful Lake to the farthest northern
boundaries. With one accord, one mind, pastors and people,
demand not the abolition of Common Schools, as Dr. Ryer-
son would fain charge us with doing. We ask no favor, we
ask oui rights. We ask that we may be permitted to fulfil
Qur duty towards our children, without tantalizing inter-
ference. Catholics ask to be let alone in the management
of their free, independent, and voluntary schools. They
ask not to be compelled to send their children to
houses of education against which they have conscientious
objections. They ask that they be not taxed, and that the
co(fnmon funds of the country, viz. : — the secularizec reserves,
be not devoted exclusively to the support of either church or
schools, to which, as Catnolics, they have conscientious ob-
jections. They ask not to be compelled to contribute to the
support of a system of edueatjon from which they can derive
no benefit. With state Schools we will have notliing to do ;
we do not wanttl em for ourselves. Let those who are satis-
fied with their working and fruits, enjoy them to their hearts
content. Such is our position, such our principles. Will
Dr. Ryerson see in them alien aggressions againit hit Can'-

mon School Systim% Will be again charge us wuh an lioa-
tile intention against his Model Schools? . .^ ...

From the above plain statement of our vic\fs and' 6bjcctf,
the public may be able to judge of the amount of truth con-
tained in the following senseless exclamation of the Chief
Superintendent : — '• / will not consent to Mr. Bruyere'8
wresting from the hands of a Protestmit child his Bible — th6
best chart of his civil liherty^ as loell as his best directory to
heaven.''^ Dr. Kyerson need not fear. Rev. Mr. Bruyere
has never interfered with the conscientiousbelief of any one.
Nor will he remain silent when the Chief Superintendent of
Education, is holding the bait to entice the Catholic children
into ]iis schools, and exclaiming incessantly, — "Money,
money ; more money !" " Dr. Hyerson is a very expensive
luxury," says a contemporary. Therefore I have advised
our Municipalities to withhold from him the Clergy Reserve
funds.

Before I conclude this already too long rejoinder, I beg
leave to express my astonishment at Dr. Ryerson's dragging
before the public, and witliout the consent ot Jjose concern-
ed, his long correspondence, bet ween himself and other per-
sons. I believe that many will agree with me, when Isay
that it has about as much to do with the question at issue
between Dr. Ryereon and myself, as the Chinese rebellior.

The next suggestion I wish to make, is, that desperate must
be the cause which has to be propped up with such miser-
able stays as the Globe. Dr. Ryei son's experience ought to
liave brouglit to his recollection, that every cause or measure
advocated by such a wretched sheet, is doomed to fall.
Were the prosperity of State Schpolism identified with the
prosperity, religious feeling and w^ish of the people, the Glohe
would never have raised its impotent voice in its behalf.

Should it not be too late, I avail myself of this opportunity
to offer to the worthy Chief Superintendent of Education,
the compliments of the season. That he may see many n
returnof the same, free, however, from prejudices against
his fellow Christians, is the earnest \vish ot his devotedfriend
and sincere admirer,

J. M, BRUyEJlE,

Toronto, Jan.:, 1857. ■''-•"'' ' ^ -•..■.,.. i^:m-n,^:ni

p. S. — I hope Dr. Ryerson will excuse we, if I have not
answered his reply of the 24th ult. sooner. Xho Christmas
Holidays, which ate busy times for us, are the sole cause of
the delar. d

te|

-ti-uii

JAwn ike iMuhr^ January 16, 16(7.

With the air and tone of an injured man, Dr. Ryerson, in
' his second reply to Rev. J. M Briiycre, complains that he has
. "been unjustly subjected by this journal to an imputation of
. making false statements. Where this the case, we should
lose no time in making the ainende honot'dble ; for, on all
occasions it has been our aim to do justice to those whose
languagie or conduct we may have occasion to censure. Let
us men see whether we are guilty of the injustice to I>r
Ryerson of which he makes a complaining accusation. But
first, we must explain how the controversy between Dr.
Ryerson and the Rev. J. M. Bruyere commenced. Dr. Ryer-
'8on issued a circular to the Municipalities, urging them to
devote the Clergy Reserve monies to educational purposes.
lu this recommendation we concurred; without^ nowever,
accepting the reasons on which Dr. Ryerson had thought fit
to base it. Tlie Rev. J. M. Bmyere addressed the Conductors
of the Canadian Press, through our columns, giving his
reasons for disapproving of the suggestions of Dr. Ryerson,
and indicated other destinations for these monies which, in
his opinion, would be preferable. Among his reasons for
bppoMng Dr. Ryerson's suggestion, Rev. J. M. Bruyere urged
the following :

But let OS, for a moment, take a rapid survey of these Public Libra-
ries, got op under the superintendence of Dr. Ryerson. In looking over
their shelves^ it is not unlikely that my eyes will fall upon some of
'the most rapid and anti-christian writers, sucn as the irjidel Hume, and
the sceptical Gibbon.

To which Dr. Ryerson replied that the books complained
of were not in the catalogue at all :

In conclusion, I beg to add three or four genehil remerks. The first is,
that Mr. Bruyere's objections to the system of providing the schools with
maps, &o., and in the municipalities with libraries, are perfectly frive-
l6us and groundless, as in regard to these the Separate Schools and the
Roman Catholics are placed upon precisely the same fooling as the
Public Schools 'iiid other classes of the population. The books which
,Mt. Bruyere complains of as selected for the libraries are not in the
catalogue at all ; and the histories which are represented as havingbeen
omitted are all in the catalogue.

This denial was surelv full enough — that the books com-
plained of by the Rev. Mr. Bruyere were not in the catalo-
gue at all ; the complaint, be it understood , extended to the
works of Humt and Gibbon. Rev. M. Bruyere rejoined ;

'ji

jrson, in
it he has
tation of
e should
r, on all
B whose
re. Let
} to Br
•n. But
een Dr.
'r. Ryer-
them to
lurposes.
lowever,
)ught fit
nductors
^'ing his
[lyerson,
^hich, in
fions for
re urged

lie Libra-
)king over
n some of
fume, and

iplained

he first is^
bools with
ctly frivo-
ls and the
ing as the
loks which
not in the
ivingbeen

>ks com-
i catalo-
l to the
hed :

1 repeat li^n, on fbie authority of my evrn eyvnt that the «bore«
named works are contained in the Journal i^ Education, tor 1853,
under the head of " General Catalogues of Works for Public Libraries
in Upper Canada." \ will add, moreover, that lest the j"outhfal rea-
der should be tempteuto shun these jioisonous sources of scepticism and
infideUty« to the title of these dangerous books are appended notes
well calculated to arouse curiosity in the mind of tne reader and
entice him to taste of the forbidden fruit. The history of the Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empire, by E. Gibbon, is said in the catalogue,
prepared by Dr. Ryerson, to be a work which, " if is not always history,
'< is often something more than history ; it is philosophy, it is theology,
<>itis wit and eloquence, it is criticism the most masterly on every
" subject with which literature can be connected." Of the History of
England by D. Hume, it is said in the note appended to it by Dr
Ryerson : " Though not impartial, nor free from religious scepticism,
" it is the most generally read history of England ever written. The
<< author's philosophical turn of thought and bgjLuty of diction, together
<' with his skill in arranging and grouping faora, invest his history with
" an interest that never flags."

Whereupon The Leader said : " Mr, Bruyere clearly con-
" victs the Superintendent of Education of falsehood in
"regard to the list of books from which township libraries
" are selected." i

The reader will see from the above statement what right
Dr. Ryerson has to complain that we have put the brand of
falsehood on his productions. It is we who have a right to
complain of being unjustly charged with uttering false accu-
sations. We know that unscrupulous journals which this
time-serving official is trying to conciliate, will copy his
accusation without permitting their misguided aders to
know that it has been refuted. . ,7,

DOCTQR RYERSON'S SECOND REPLY TO REVEREND J. M.

BRUYERE. . . , , , . ,. , M

FOR TU£ LEADER.

In The Leader of Wednesday the 7th instant, the Rev-
erend J. M. Bruyere has addressed to the conductors of the
Press in Canada a second long letter against myself andihe
Common School system in Upper Canada. It is a profess^
rejoinder to my reply to his previous attacks; but instead of
sustaining the position he first assumed, and supporting the
charges he first made, he virtually abandons every one of
themi and occupies three columns with miscellaneous decla-
mation foreign to the subject, with pitiful misrepresentations

■ i

ill'.

•V-H.'.

of my words, und gross personalities, which accord so entire-
ly with the taste and feelings of The Leader as to be regard-
ed by him as a pattern of controversial style. But, as I have
not thought it worth while to notice any of the many charac-
teristic attacks which have been made upon me by The Lead'
er during the last year or two, nor to the previous personali-
ties of Mr. Bruyere ; so neither must I now suffer myself —
however strong the temptation — to do more than show how
completely the school system of Upper Canada and its admin-
istration stand vindicated against the insinuations of The
Leader and the attacks of Mr. Bruyere. With The Leader
and Mr. Bruyere, I may but merit the epithets of" falsehood"
and of being a" hypocrite son of John Wesley." but I leave
it to the intelligent ]j|pder to suggest the grounds on which
others than The Leaaer and Mr. Bruyere may regard me as
entitled to the treatment of common decency, if not gentle-
manly courtesy.

Mr. Bruyere's first letter contained four principal charges.
H'he first was, that Separate Schools were excluded from the
provision which had been made for supplying the public
schools with maps and apparatus — that Catholic children must
learn geography by travelling round the world, and astrono-
my by looking up to the stars. In reply, I showed that there
was not only the same provision for supplying separate,
as public schools with maps and apparatus, but that many
Separate Schools had been provided with them by me, and
among others those in the City of Toronto itself. What does
Mr. Bruyere now say in supfiort of this grave and exciting
charge ? Not one word ; and by thus abandoning it in silence,
he tacitly confesses its utter groundlessness.

The second charge which Mr. Bruyere preferred was, that
by a clause which he represented me to have got inserted in
the Clergy Reserve Moneys Distribution Act, Separate
Schools were expressly excluded from sharing in the advan-
tages of the application of those moneys for the purchase of
maps, apparatus and libraries. On the contrary, 1 maintained
that there was no such exclusive or restrictive clause 'u\ the
Clergy Reserve Act, much less had 1 suggested it. What
docs Mr. Bruyere now say in support of this grave charge
and alleged grievance? Not one word — thereby admitting
its groundlessness also.

A third chnrgQ made by Mr. Bruyere was, that I had in-
lorted in the catalogue of books for public libraries, Hume's

entire-

egard-

I have

:harac-

Lead'

'son a I i-

yself —

w how

admin-

of TUe

Leader

ehood"

I leave

which

me as

gentle-

larges.
om the
public
n must
strorto-
it there
parate,
t many
le, and
at does
xciting
jjlence,

IS, that
jrted in
^parate
advan-
lase of
itaincd
\ ill the
What
charge
mitting

had in-
lumens

and Gibbon's Histories, and D* Aubigne^s History of the Rcfoi
mation whilst I had excluded Lingard's Anglo-fcJaxon Church,
Gahan's Church History, and the History of the Church by
Reeve. In refutation of this charge, I showed that Hume's
and Gibbon.s Histories were not in the Index Expurgatorius,
and therefore ought not to be objected to by Mr. Bruyere—
that D'Aubigne's History of the Keformation was not in the
catalogue, while the three histoiies mentioned by Mr. Bru-
yere as having been excluded, were all contained in the cata-
logue; and in addition to those histories, the catalogue con-
tained Lingard's History of England, Mylius' History of Eng-
land, Fredet's Ancient History, and Fredel's Modern History
— all standard Roman Catholic Histories, and ail inserted on
the recommendation of Bishop de (yharbonnel himself, on my
application to him. What justification does Mr. Bruyere set
up for such scandalous charges ? None whatever ; and the
only apology he makes is that his " mistake was quite unin-
tentional." 1 have to observe in reply, that neither 'he public
nor m» self are concerned with Mr. Bruyere' intentions, but
with his statements — which are shown to be unfounded in re-
gnrd both to what they deny and what they assert of a print-
ed catalogue of books, and a system of libraries affecting the
whole country, and adopted by the Council ofJ.*ublic Instruc-
tion — a Council composed of gentlemen of the highest hon-

or, intelligence and integrity.

The fourth, and last principal charge preferred by Mr.
Bruyere was, that in the Common School system Christianity

was not recoffnized — that the

schools were godless and infi-

•and that I was employing every means in my power to
injure and destroy the Roman Catholic Church. In reply, I
simply gave an oflicial correspondence that had recently ta-
ken place between Mr. Bruyere and myself, which disproved
his statements and charges in every particular. What now
is Mr. Bruyere's defence of such statements and imputations?
His only defence is, that the correspondence ought not to have
been mtide public, and has nothing to do with the subject I

Thus have Mr. Bruyere's four principal statements and
charges been disproved and shown to be entirely groundless.
It now remains for me to dispose of some of his mis-
cellaneous statements. '/ ,

1. He says — " The Chief Superintendent of Education as-
serts that neither Gibbon nor Hume are to be found in hisf li-
braries.*' I asserted nothing of the kind — my argument was

' d3

;

6«

■ '■-■>

mBi

11;

the reverse. I f ftid they were not in the Iitdex ExpurgatO'
rt«»— showing thereby that Mr. Bruyere had no authority to
object to them, even in regard to Roman Catholic readers.
Yet on this palpable misrepresentation of what I said, The
Leader has, in most offensive terms, charged me with having
been " convicted of falsehood !"

2. Mr. Bruyere says — " I repeat again, On the authority
of the Catalogue before me. Cardinal Wiseman's Lectures on
the Principal Doctrines of the Catholic Church are not in the
catalogue." Who ever said these lectures were in the cata-
logue T 1 said expressly that all controversial works, whe-
ther Protestant or Roman Catholic — I may add Episcopalian,
Presbyterian, Baptist, or Methodist— were excluded from the
libraries, as inconsistent with their objects ; and therefore such
works as the above-mentioned lectures of Cardinal Wiseman,
as well as Bossute's variations had not been and should not
be submitted, any more than the masterly Protestant answers
io them. But, on the contrary, to prove that Roman Catho-
lic authors as such, had not been excluded, I showed that
Cardinal Wiseman's lectures on the Connection between
Science and Revealed Religion^ and Boussuet's Universal His-
torpf had been inserted in the catalogue. Mr. Bruyeie says,
he did not alli^e to these lectures fo Cardinal Wiseman. I
have to remark, I can only judge of what he intended by what
he said. He said Cardinal Wiseman's lectures in absolute
terms— thus including his lectures of every description. I
proved the inaccuracy of his statement, by showing that Car-
dinal Wiseman's lectures on the connexion between Science
and Revealed Religion — his best and most popular lectures,
and the only ones known or adapted to general readers —
were given in the Catalogue.

3. Having thus refuted every specific charge made by Mr.
Bruyere, relative to the selection of books for the public li-
braries, I may remark generally, that the catalogue contains
the name of every Roman Catholic author of celebrity in
France, Germany, and Italy, whose works are adapted to
popular libraries, and have been translated into English ; and
that if a larger number of such authors is not given in the
catalogue, it is simply for the reason assigned by Cardinal
Wiseman, when I applied to him for the names of them —
they do not exist, and cannot therefore be inserted in the cat-
alogue. If nine-tenths or nineteen-twentieth^ of the works in
the English language on civil polity, political economy, pro-

grc88 of society, soience, arts, manufactures, every branch ol'
natural history and human industry, as well as works of taste,
literature and imagination, are productions of Protestant au-
thors, public libraries embracing those subjects — and not
questions of controversial divinity — must be proportionately
composed of the works of such authors. And it is a blessing
for which we cannot be too thankful, or value too highly,
that since the resurrection of the human mind, three centuries
since, from the lethargy and enslavement in which it had been
buried during the " dark ages," mental activity has so follow-
ed upon the foot-prints of mental liberty, as to produce such
vast treasures-of khowledge, such abundant sources of enter-
tiinment, and such powerful levers of social advancement,
for ourselves and for our children. What would the British
Empire and the United States be withont them ? ISpain and
Italy can answer.

4. Mr. Bruyere has written and quoted much to show the
immorality of the school system in the United States, and has
reproduced Bishop de Charbonnel's quotations from the trav-
eller Laing (not a clergyman) on schools in Italy. If so much
crime exists in the States of North America where the sys-
tems of public schools exist, the States of South America
show how much worse would be the condition of those
States did not such schools exist. But I have shown more
than once, that in four essential features our Canadian school
system differs from that in the United States, in regard to the
religious element ; and in my published correspondence with
Laing — a correspondence fresh in the recollection of
Bishop de Carbonnel, I have disposed of the quotations from
the public, though it appeal s, not so in that of Mr. Bruyere.

5. A^ain, Mr. Bruyere says — "The Creed of Catholics is
termed by Dr. Kyerson, " conscientious convictions manufac-
tured to order." So far from there being a particle of truth
in this statement, my whole letter proved that in the school
law and its administration I had shown a consideration to the
creed, feelings and even scruples of Roman Catholics, which
had not been shown to any rrotestant denomination of Up-
per Canada. I spoke not of the creed of Roman Catholics
which has existed for centuries, but of convictions produced
against our Public School system, by the infusion of a new
foreign element, since the days of Bishops Macdonnell .and
Power, and with which a large portion of the Roman Catho-
lics have no syflipathy : my words were as follows :^— " I

yi i

'1i^''

should falsify the whole of my past life, and despite myself
were I not scrupulous to protect the rights and tcelings of
Roman Catholics equally with those of any, or all other
classes of the community. It is certain of their own eccle-
siastics, who have inflicted upon them burdens and disadvan-
taffes which their fathers had not to bear in the davs of
Bishops Macdonnell and Power; who have made that a
mortal sin at a municipal or school election, which was for-
merly no sin at all : who deny the ordinances for attending
schools, an attendance at which was formerly encouraged
when those schools were more exceptionable than at present
The conscientious convictions of which Mr. Bruyere speaks
have been manufactured to order, as also the mortal sins
which are charged upon some Roman Catholics." It is thus
clear that I had no more reference to the creed of the Roman
Catholic Church than to that of any Protestant Church, but
to injunctions against the public schools, which have been
laid upon Roman Catholics in the diocese of Toronto by
their Bishop, and which iMr. Bruyere has misnamed " (con-
scientious Convictions of Catholics" — but convictions of which
Catholics knew nothing until since the infusion of the new
foreign element, and which are as abhorrent to a large por-
tion, if not the great majority, of Catholics, as they are in-
consistent with their dignity as men, and their rights as Chris-
tians and citizens.

.6. Mr, Bruyere has attempted to prove that the lamented
Bishop Power entertained the newly imported views on the
subject of Separate versus the Public Schools. As well
might he attempt to prove that light is darkness. Bishop
Power acted as a member and chairman of the Provincial
Board of Education up to within less than a week of his
death — advised upon and concurred in all the r-egulations re-
lative to the Normal, Model, and Common Schools of Upper
Canada, the selection of text-books, &c., &c. — was honoured
after his decease by an unanimous .iD^oliUio n ofihe Board
as to his character ond services, and afterwards eulogized by
me (who was absent at the time of his death) in a public and
published address. As well might Mr. Bruyere have the
boldness to attribute his sentiments to all the other members
of the Board, including myself, as to ascribe them to Bishop
Power. Nay, the ideas as well as convictions as to the mor-
tal sins of sending children to the public schools or voting
for a School Trustee, or Councillor, or Legislator, except at

Jhris-

the order of the Bishop, have been manufactured tincf thc^
days of the lamented Bishop Powef« to the furprise* ao^d re-
proach, and injury of Roman Catholics, as well as to the
disturbance of the peace and hitherto harmonious educatio^^
progress ot the country.

7. In reply to my assertion that Roman Catholic children
who have been taught in the mixed schools, are a9 good Ro-
man Catholicsf as those who have been taught in separatet
schools. Mr. Bruyere delivers Mmself as follows: "On tk^.
authority of the oldest and best informed Catholic Clergymen
of Canada, I am able to assert, that with a few honorable,
exceptions, these sound Roman Catholics, educated in mixe4
schools, may be honorable men, honest men, according to
the Protestant sense of the word ; but practical, religious,
scrupulous, observers of the rules of their church, they arqi
not. They are Catholics in name ; Protestant, or half heathen
in practice. They are Protestants to all intents md purpo-
Therefore we can well afford to give them up to thq

ses.

Chief Superintendent of Education. They are as Catholi<;
and Protestant as himself." Now as the Separate Schools
are only recent and few and far between in Upper Canadai
it follows that nineteen twentieths, if not ninety hundredths
of the Roman Catholics who have received any education in
Upper Canada, have received it in the mixed schools; fknd
Bruyere himself admits that all of them with a few ^Jfcep-
tions are of my views and not of his, on the system of pub-
lic schools. This is a conclusive though unwitting testimony,
that the newly imported dogmas and assumptions of Bi-
shop DeCharbonel and Mr. Bruyere are as alien to the view^
and feelings of the great majority of the Roman Catholics ai^
they are subversive of their rights and social interests. Ac-
cording to Mr. Bruyere, there was no sound Romanism in
Upper Canada before the recent importations, and there aro
no sound Roman Catholics out of the assumed 150,000 |)ear-
ing that name save the " few honorable exceptions," that bow
their necks to the new yoke and their understandings tp the
new vocabulary of saintly virtues aj d mortal sins which have
been lately manufuactred for the perfection of their humilia-
tion and enslavement. In the past days of Bishops AfacdoneU
and Power and ihcir clerg5% who, like them, hud grown up
under British institutions, and knew by priva|ipns, experience
and labors, how to sympathise with the wants, circunislances
and interests of their people, it appears on Mr. Bruyere's au-

!»'

: f.r

! I

(;l

II i

t^iority the Roman Catholics were only so in name, whib
they were •* half-heathen in practice,** as are their successors
at the present day, whom Mr. Bruycre gives up by wholesale
to the Chief Superintendent of Education. 1 will cheerfully
accept the charge, and treat this large clasps of my fellow
citizens with the same consideration and solicitude that I have
Always shown for their welfare as well as for their rights —
knowing that neither is consulted by the party of Mr. Bruycre
—a Falstaff Company, by his own confession, of" a few ho-
norable exceptions," m the great body of the Roman Catholic
community. And the sequel will show whether the great
majority of the Roman Catholic youth, taught in the public
schools in connection with their fellow countrymen, will, like
many of tKeir pioneer predecessors, stand in the first walk of
the intellectual, distinguished and prosperous men of their
neighborhood and country ; or whether such distinction will
littach to the ** few honorable exceptions" of those and their
children whom Mr. Bruyere's party shall isolate from all that
is progressive, elevating and invigorating in the country, —
shall teach the new catalogue of mortal sins with their ac-
companying conscientious convictions, that all Protestants
are infidels — ^general knowledge poison — and Great Britain
the most infidel and execrable Empire on earth.

The assumptions of this new foreign element in our coun-
try might not require public notice were they confined to
their unfortunate victims ; but when they are made the cloak
of assailing public law and its administration ; when they
presume to command and denounce in the Council Chamber
of Government and in the halls of Legislation, and give per-
emptory orders, enforced with pains and penalties, at every
political, municipal, and school election throughout Upper
Canada; when they seek to defame and destroy every public
institution and agency for the diffiusion of general education
and knowledge, and even demand State support to teach that
the great majority of the inhabitants of the State and their
institutions are in^dels and infidel agencies, — enemies of God
and man ; when they become an active element of party in
regard to every public r:ian and every public question, and
public measure, whether in the provincial government or in
the local municipality, and thus aim at controling or destroy-
ing every man and every institution in the land, — they then
reach a crisis of invasion which can no longer be evaded,
but must be confronted by every man of every rank and

whilu
cssors
>lcsalo
jrfully
fellow
I have
ghts—
ruyere
iw ho-
atholic
great
public
ill, like
,valk of
f their
on will
d their
all that
ntry, —
leir ac-
testants
Britain

r coun-
fined to
16 cloak
en they
hamber
ive per-
it every
t Upper
y public
lucation
ach that
nd their

of God
party in
ion, and
ent or in
deslroy-
ley then

evaded,
'ank and

party who values liberty of action, word or thought, just
government and free institutions.

8. Finally, passing over many petty misrepresentations, 1
must say a word on that great doctrine of moral and political
science flippantly propounded by Mr. Bruycre in the follow-
ing sentences : ** To the parents, not to the state the child
belongs: so, at least, the law of God and nature proclaims.
From the parent what power on earth can snatch him V* The
theory thus laid down is, th.it the parent has everything, and
the state nothing to do with the child — the one is placed in
opposition to the other — a dangerous error and practical
absurdity. By the state is meant the whf>le body of the
people united under one government; and in the best organized
state the interests.of the whole community are binding upon
eacii member, and the strength of the whole community is
exerted for the protection of each member. The state, there-
fore, so far from having nothinu: to i^ » with the children, con-
stitutes their collective parent, and is bound to protect them
against any unnatural neglect or cruel treatment on the part
of the individual parent, and to secure to them all that will
qualify them to become useful citizens of the slate. Thus if
the individual parent should starve, maim or murder the child,
would not the state or collective parent have something to do
in regard to the child ? Has not the state had something to
do for the protection of factory children in England — to pro-
tect them against the cupidity of the individual parent, and
secure to them the opportunity and means of instruction ?
And if the state has so much to do with the body of the child
has it not, by a stronger reason, something to do with the
child's mind also — to see that it is not starved, maimed, and
converted into an enemy and danger to the state, instead of
being an intelligent and useful member of it ? Now, our pub-
lic school system instead of exceeding the legitimate power
of the state, or the whole people in their collective capacity,
in regard to the child, comes short of it. Based upon the
fact that individual ignorance is a public evil, the state or
whole people provide for its removal and prevention by es-
tablishing schools for the education of all the children — re-
serving to their individual parents the supreme control as to
religious instruct ion. '^ But the state or collective people
shpuld proceed a step farther, and see not only that provision
is made for the instruction of each child, but that each child
should receive somewhere a certain amount, or certain period

£2

u ;

i '

I'M'

•'I

K 1

of tnstruction — that if any individual parent should be so un-
natural M to deprive his children of their divine and human
birthright of mental food and clothing, and therefore mental
growth and power, and starve and maim them by cruel
neglect or abuse, the state or collective parent should inter-
pose for the protecVion of such hrlpless children — vrone than
orphans — and save them from such irreparable wrongs nnd
injuries. This is a power with which the state through the
several municipalities of the land should be invested — a power
with which I proposed to invest them by a draft of bill and
communication submitted to Government two years ago —
a power which has lately been suggested by two Judges of
the Supreme Courts^ — the one in a recent address to a
graud jury, the other in a still more r cent address to the
Canadian institute. Thus the state, or the collective people,
is the helper of every good, and especially of every poor
parent, in the education of his chiidrj^n, and the legitimate

fuardian of children against the cruel neglects and wrongs of
ad and unnatural parents.

ut Mr. Bruyere says, the State, or society at large,
through any of its organs or agencies, has nothing to do with
the child— i-the individual parent is absolute. Yet, how does
this pretext sot up to exclule a class of children from the

Eublic schools accord with the practice of his party ? Bishop
)q Charbonnel and Mr. Bruyere say to the state, you have
no business or concern with the education of children, espe-
cially one class of them — they belong absolutely to their par-
ents ; and then turning to those parents, they say, those
children are not yours but ours ; and if you send them to
the pwblic schools to which you have been accustomed, you
are guilty of moral sin — you shall be deprived of the ordi-
nances of the church, and if you or your children die, you
shall be buried like dogs. This is what Mr. Bruyere calls
" freedom ot education" — a despotism in the state over the
state, — a despotism in the family over the parent — a surrender
of the rights and functions of both the state and the parent to
a clerical absolutism under which humanity withers and
society retrogrades.

In conclusion, 1 beg to call the attention of public men of
all parties to the following important facts.

1. That every charge against our School System and its
administration, as partial or unjust in regard to School ap-
propriations, libraries, or Maps and apparatus for Schools,

his
the
ciei

}.y
coi

80 UD-

luman

nental

cruel

intcr-

le than

;s and

^h tho

power

ill and

ago—

ges ot

to a

to tho

people,

y poor

[itimate

ongs of

: large,
jo with
»w does
rom the
Bishop
u have
I, esp^
leir par-
^ those
hem to
led, you
le ordi-
die, you
ire calls
)ver the
jrrender
)arcnt to
ers and

; men of

and its
;hool ap-
Schools,

hns utterly failed ; and to persevere in hostility when the
grounds are shown to be false, shows that the object is not
truth, not the diftusion of education or knowledge, not equal
rights and privileges among all classes, but immunities and
powers inconsistent with the rights of individuals, municipal-
ities, or constitutional government itself.

2. I'hat though in my last Annual Report t have explained
the Christian and fundamental principles of the tSchool Sys-
tem, its perfect impartiality to ail parties, the peculiar indul-
gences to Roman Catholics, and the unconstitutional and sub-
versive character of the new demands of the party of Bishop
De Charbonnel and Mr. Biuyere ; yet has not Mr. Bruyere
nor one of the newspapers in his interest attempted to combat
one of the principles, iacts or arguments of that Keport, but
they htLve sought to divert attention from their own preten-
sions, and the great principles of the School System, by
reiterating groundless imputations against it, and making
gross attacks upon me — yet concealing from their readers my
answers to those attacks.

3-. That the oft repeated attempt to show the inequality of
the Separate School provisions of the law has been so
thoroughly exposed as to be apparently abandoned ; nor has
Mr. Bruyere adduced or attempted to adduce a single fact to
show that any thing is taught or done in the public schools to
proselyte Roman Catholic children, or that is inconsistent
with the wishes of their parents ; noi* has he been able to fix
upon a single partial or disobliging act in my administration
of the department during the last ten yiears, even towards my
assailants ; so much so that the chief burden of his charge
against the public schools now amounts to little more than
the society of Protestant children, against associating with
whom " conscientious convictions" are pleaded ; and for Ro-
man Catholic children to be taught or habituated to regard
them otherwise than as little infidels, and their religion as
infidelity, would be " dangerous to faith and moVals." But
yet instead of proceedidg quietly with their own Seperate
Schools, the " conscientious convictions" of Mr. Bruyere and
his party seem to prompt them to do little more than assail
the public schools and every measure adopted for their effi-
ciency and usefulness,

4. That in every enlightened country provision is made
h\ the State for the education of youth — that in every free
country where there ia no political connection between

^ it

Church and State, tiiere has, without exception, provision
been made for all classes of its youth without respect to any
sect or hierarchy — equally protecting the rights ot'all parties,
but permitting thr exclusion or domination of none. In evury
such country there always have heen individuals, especially
individuals ccclessiastics, who, advocating the connexion be-
tween Church and State, have assailed the moral character
and tendency of all schools and educational systems not car-
ried on through the church. Pamphlets, statistics, and ap-
peals without end are put forth to sustain these forlorn hopes
of Church and State yearnings. In the neighboring Jj^tates
such publications are no longer heeded ; the people proceed
with the education of their children, regardless of the efforts
of these ccclasiastics to usurp the control of it from the
rightful parents. In the statistics of crime these partizans
never inform you how many of the youthful culprits have
attended the public school, and how many have never been
in school — that in the cities of the United States, as in
Toronto, and other Canadian towns, the criminals are those
who have been kept from the schools, — seldom or never
those who have regularly attended the schools — that did all
the children attend the schools, there would be a great de-
crease instead of increase of juvenile crime. The p\ stem of
popular education in Upper Canada differs from that in any
other state in America, not merely in the fact that the clergy
of all religious persuasions are recognised as co-workers,
and that christian principles and feelings in the highest and
largest sense, pervade the text books used in the schools, but
in that the parents in each municipality, without inierfering
with the rights or scruples of any individual, can make their
school as religious as they please in regard to both exercises
and instruction — in that every possible farility and assistance
is given them to do so ; but no compulsion is attempted in
matters of religion, any more than in regard to the establish-
ment of schools themselves. Not a school or library can be
established, nor an article of school apparatus procured,
without local voluntary municipal action. The school taxing
power rests exclusively with the inhabitants in each munici-
pality, who establish and support their schools as they
please ; and our whole school system is one of aid nnd en-
couragement to the inhabitants of each municipality lo
provide for tha education of their children; the working of
the system is for the people a practical school of liberty as

well as a patent means of education and knowledge; and the
warfare against it is an invasion of powers, privileges, and aidf
which have been conferred by law upon the municipalitiei
of tlie country, and form apart and parcel of the constitution-
al rights of the poople. ••> . > ,

E. RYERSON.
Toronto, 13lh January, 1857.

REV. J. M. BRUYERES' SECOND REJOINDER TO DR. RVKRSON.

I! ••

TO THE C0NDUCT0K8 OF THE PRESS IN CANADA.

Without possessing much of the sterling worth of the
female sex, Dr. Hyerson is not altogether free from the fail-
ings occasionally attributed to the senile portion of the daugh-
ters of Eve. His Reverence is loquacious, profuse of epithets,
sometimes abusive, not unfrequently scurrilous, and incessantly
stunning your ears with charges a hundred times refuted.
Woman-like, the Chief Superintendent is bent upon having
the last word. Much as I would wish to gratify the odd
notions of my worthy antagonist, I cannot as yet let him
have his own way. His last communication to the public, in
The Leader of the 16th inst., contains so much that is false,
foreign to the subject, unfair, with the usual amount of sophis-
tical Ryersonism pervading the whole, that I feel reluctantly
compelled to give his reverence another lecture on candor
and honesty. Dr. Ryerson was the first to raise the war
whoop, by addressing to the Municipalities his injudicious
circular, which has been well characterised by a coniempo-
rarv, as " a document fraught with the most consummate
presumption, and reflecting directly upon iha capacity and
intelligence of all the Municipalities of this section of the
country."

Regardless of the fact that the moneys accruing from the
secularized (>lergy Reserves, were to become the common
stock ; alike the property of Protestants and Catholics, Dr.
Ryerson attempts to dictate to our intelligent Municipalities
in Upper Canada, how they should expend the large sums of
money placed under their control. Actuated by feelings of a
liberal and christian policy, the municipal corporations think
it but just and right, to distribute them among the wholQ.com-

itv:

Jl-

ihuntity, without any reference to party, creed, or nationality.
The Chief Superintendent of Education, in a spirit of narrow
toiindedness and hostility to the 1,150,000 Catholics scattered
over this Province, seeks to disfranchise them from their share
in the Clergy Reserves, by calling upon the Municipalities to
apply these resources not to general purposes, as originally
intended by the Legislators who passed the Act of the Secu-
larization, but to his Schools and Libraries, to the purchase
of books, maps, globes, charts, and other school apparatus
from which Catholics can derive no more benefit than the
Hottentots of Southern Africa. I may be permitted to repeat,
that Catholics have conscientious objections to the Common
School System, and to the Public Libraries, composed almost
exclusively of Protestant books. Of the validity of our ** con-
scientious objections," of course, no secular tribunal, not even
the Chief Superintendent of Education, can take cognizance,
without thereby violating the rights of conscience.

Should the proceeds arising from the secularized Reserves,
in compliance with Dr. Ryerson's suggestions, be turned
exclusively to the account of these darling institutions. Cath-
olics would be deprived of their share of the fund in question.
In the name of the whole Catholic body in this Province, and
on the part of 1,150,000 human beings, I have raised my
feeble voice against the crying injustice perpetrated by the
Chief Superintendent of Education. Is it just, I repeat again,
is it fair, to apply exclusively to the use of one portcn of our
community, what was destined for general purposes ? Is it
fair, is it just, on the part of Dr. Ryerson, to urge upon the
different Municipalities, the propriety of expending the com-
mon stock arising from the sale of the secularized Clerg}-
Reserves, in enriching Protestant Schools, to the exclusion of
Catholic Separate Schools, in getting up Protestant Librar-
ies, composed almost exclusively of books teeming with
insulting diatribes against the Catholic community ? Such is
the question at issue between Dr. Ryerson and myself. Such
is the position from which he started in his famous circular to
the heads of City, Town, Township and \ llage Municipnli-
ties in Upper Canada, on the appropriation of the Clergy
Reserve Fund. To this position I hold him fast.

My cunning antogonist, having discovered but too late,
that he had taken a wrong step, flies off with the rapidity of
lighting, from the subject in question. Instead of vindicating
by fair argument, like an honest man, his suggestion to the

Municipalities, he finds it more convenient for hiir. *' io louch
upon every thing, except the question at issue. In his second
reply to my rejoinder, the Chief Superintendent of Kducation
speaks in the accents of injurr i innocence, "of gross personal-
ittes which accord so entirely with the taste and fechngs of
The Leader t as to be regared by him as a pattern of contro-
versial style." Of course the good Doctor who, so frequently
lakes great delight in flinging the opprobious epithets of an in-
fusion of a new foreisin element in the face of Catholic Bis-
hops and IMests, and French, GermaVi, Irish, and Scotch
Catholics of foreign birth, must be absolved of the obnoxious
imputation. If we are to give credit to the persecuted Chief
Superintendent, even the treatment of common decency, if not
gentlemanly courtesy^ is withheld from him. Of course the
sensitive Doctor need not be so particular about common rfe-
cency^ when he ventures to charge Catholic Bishops and
Priests ivith treating the immortal mind of Roman Catholics
just as the American slaveholder does the mortal bodies of his
slaves. Instead of sticking to his thesis, my wily opponent
finds it more to his taste, to indulge in a few of the ordinary
common-place declamations of the meeting house, about
** clerical absolutism, under which humanity withers and so-
ciety retrogrades." In one part of the learned document, we
have the usual deceptive cry about •• the resurrection of the
human mind, from the lethargy and enslavement in which it
had been buried during the Dark Ages.^' Were this the
place, I might easily show his weak-minded Reverence that
the " Dark Ages " have no existence, except in the dark
cranium of the Chief Superintendent of Education and others
of his stamp. — For the second, third and fifth time, my perse-
vering antogonist will try his hand at Bishop De Charbonel,
whom he politely calls an importation from a foreign clime,
" manufacturing conscientious convictions of which Catholics
knew nothing until the infusion of the new foreign element into
this country" la the absccnce of His Lord«hip, who is now
in Europe, I beg leave to thank Dr. Ryerson for his lectures on
good manners. I may be permitted also, en passant, to re-
mark that this frequent repitition of a language worthy of the
fish market, betrays a great scarcity of words and of thoughts,
and a low tone of education. Spain and Italy will feel, in their
turn, the unsparing lash of the Chief Superintendent. Unfor-
tunate Spain, poor benighted Italy, will the light of Ryerson-
ism ever shine upon your mountains and valleys, and dispel

Ic 1

m'\

'i:' i

70.

the clouds of ignorance hovering over you ? It is true, Rome
the capital of Italy, with a population of 15^,078 souls, has only
three hundred and eighhj-une Free Schools, with about five
hundred teachers, and fourteen thousand children attending
them ; aUniversity, with an average attendance of six hundred
and sixty students, besides other Institutions of learnin^^, Scm-
naries, and Acadamies fur the tenchingofthe higher branches.
It is true, the Papal States, with a population of two and a
Jialf millions, contain seven Universities, whilst Prussia,
with a population of iburtecn millions, has but seven. — But
what is all this, let me ask, compared with the blaze of light
continually issuing from Dr. Ryerson's Model Schools, in
which 1,570 children out of a Protestant population of 29,550
receive an education at a yearly cost of four pounds, ten shil-
lings, and four pence per head ? The average attendance in
our Catholic Separate Schools, out of a Catholic population of
12,210, last year, was 1280. The total receipts for the sup-
port of these Schools, during the same year, including City
Taxes and Lesislative grants, amounted to J£545. I leave it
the public to judge whether the cause of education would not
be more effectually promoted, and public economy better con-
sulted, if each denomination wa^ allowed to have its own
Separate Schools. The above is the daily attendance and
cost of our matchless Common Schools in Toronto. Even
The Leader f who has had the extreme kindness to open its
columns for the insertion of the Doclor^s effusions, will occa-
sionally get a rap from the ferule of my fretful opponent, for
violating editorial propriety^ by joining in Mr. Bruyere's at-
tacks. In reference ta this strange demeanor of the (.'hief
Superintendent,! hope I shall not be blamed if I say,that his last
reply to me sustains but too well the peevish character of the
old Dame sitting at the corner of the domestic hearth, fretting
wrangling.and scolding all those who come in her way, and dif-
fer from her views. Why my sensitive antagonist should thus
give way to his temper,! am at a loss to understand. I repeat
it again ; all these mazes and wanderings have nothing to do
with the question at issue. Had Dr. Ryeison confined him-
self within the debated point, his long communication, extend-
ing to /ujew^y M;ee /oo/a-c^/;? pages, might easily have been
reduced to a few lines more characteristic of a sensible man.
If I appeal to an impartial public, I am sure they will sus-
tain me, when I assert that I am not bound by any' rule of
controversy, to follow my slippery antagonist though all his

intricacies and meandeiings. What is to be done with the
(v'lergy Reserve Funds ? Shall tht;y be applied for general
purposes, tor tlie benefit of all, or shall they be turned to the
private use of one portion of our community ? Such is the
question which the Chief Superintendent attempted to solve
in his famous circular addressed to the Municipalities of Upper
Canada, by deciding that they should go all, or at least, in part
to his State Schools and Public Libraries. In vain will the
Doctor plead, that the Catholics may avail themselves of the
common boon, by going to his Schools, and drinking at the
spring of intellectual knowledge flowing from his Public Lib-
raries. For reasons already assigned, and which will be, if
necessary, further submitted to his kind consideration, Cath-
olics can have, and will have, nothing to do with his State
Schools and Public Libraries. Unwilling, however, to ruffle
the sensitiveness of the good Doctor, I consent to humor him,
for a little while, by entering at once, upon the examina-
tion of the various charges contained in his last reply to my
rejoinder.

The rev. gentleman begins by uttering a loud shout of
triumph at the victory won over his opponent, who, if we arc
to believe Dr. Ryerson, has not a word to say in support of
some two or three grave charges and alleged grievances. This
premature exultation of the good Doctor, will remind many
of one of the featered tribe who sings her song of jubilation
before she has laid her egg,

1st. I asserted in my communication to the conductors of
the Press in Canada, that Catholic Separate Schools were pre-
cluded from any share in the distribution of the Clergy Re-
serve Funds. 1 repeat the charge and challenge my
opponent to show how Catholics could be permitted to par-
take of the common stock, in presence of the legislation on
the subject. I repeat again : the law is in our way. The Cler-
gy Reserves Secularization Bill which passes over the funds
accruing from their sale, to the different Municipalitit s. is
accompanied by a restrictive clause that they shall be applied
exclusively to those purposes for which municipal funds are
applicable. But, Municipalities, by a former Act of Parlia-
ment, are expressly forbidden from employing any partion of
funds placed at their disposal, to the use of Separate Schools.
Does it not, therefore, follow, as I complained in my first
communication, that Catholics are most unjustly cut off from
any share in the distribution of the above named rescources ?

! yi

fi'

El.

What matters it, whether the restrictive clause be contained
in the Secularization Bill, as I unintentionally stated, or in a
former legislative enactment ? Is not the result the same ?
viz: making the Reserves applicable to t^'ommon Protestant
Schools only, and precluding Catholic Separate Schools
from any share of the same ? Therefore, the Municipalities,
which are at liberty to apply either the whole or at least,
a part of the Clergy Reserves Funds, to Common Schools,
cannot devote a farthing to the use of Catholic Separate
Schools. Therefore, again, Dr. Ryerson committed a most
pafpale injustice when he suggested to the Municipalities the
application of these funds, exclusively to the use Of his fellow
Protestants. If I disdained in my rejoinder to notice his
Revernece's reply to the grievance, it was not because I ad-
mitted its groundlessness, ais he says, but because his piti-
ful sophistry was undeserving of an answer.

2. — I complained, in my first communication, that whilst
Common or Protestant Schools, should Dr. Ryerson's sug-
gestion to the Municipalities be acted upon, would be abun-
dantly furnished with maps, charts, globes, &c., &c., Catho-
lic Separate Schools would be deprived of the same advan-
tages. To this, what does Dr. Ryerson say ? In his first
reply, h# simply says that "Separate Schools in Upper
Canada, have precisely the same facilities for providing
themselves with maps, charts, globes, <fec., &c., as the Com-
mon Schools." In his second reply, taking advantage of
my silence on his fresh quibble and sophistry, he repeats that
there is the same provision for supplying Separate, as well
as Public Schools, with maps and apparatus, and that many
Separate Schools had been provided with them by him. Son
of Wesley, speak the truth once in your life ! Separate
Schools have the same facilities for providing themselves with
maps, globes, &c., &c., as Common Schools, that is to say,
both Catholics and Protestants can purchase school apparatus
at the educational departments, both Catholics and Protest-
ants have the privilege of leaving their money in the hands
of Dr. Ryerson, and getting in return school apparatus. So
far, both are placed on a footing of perfect equality. This
I grant with the greatest pleasure, and may this concession
rejoice the heart of my worthy friend of the Education
Office. But, should the suggestions of the Doctor be taken
into consideration by the Municipalities, what would be the
diflerence between Catholics and Protestants ? There it is,

■

lined
in a
ime?
jstant
Ihools
litics»
least,
lools,
larate
J most
|s the
jIIow
pe his
ad-
piti-

dear Doctor : whilst Protestants would be able to purchase
globes, maps, charts, <&c., &c., with tha money accruing from
the Clergy Reserve Fund, Catholics would have to procure
the same with money taken from their own pockets. The
disfranchised class composed of Catholics, would have to
draw upon their own individual resources, whilst the more
favored class, consisting of Protestant, would have the trouble
simply of using the Clergy Reserve Funds: a trifling differ-
ence indeed, not worth noticing by Doctor Ryerson. So
much for the silence with which I tacitly confess the utter
groundlessness of my charge.

3. The next very serious charge is about the books for
Public Libraries. Great ado is made about a straw ; clouds
of dust are kicktsd up, so as to darken the heavens and blind
the readers. What are, after all, these scandiilous charges
to come to? Some few books, not half a dozen, were men-
tioned by me through an unintentional mistake, as having
been excluded from, or inserted in Dr. Ryerson's Cataloge.
On the strength of this pretended false statement,* the Chief
Superintendent waxes wroth, and in the height of his virtuous
indignation, exclaims ; " I have to observe that neither the
public nor myself are concerned with Mr. Bruyere'a inten-
tions, but with his statements." Good Doctor, keep cool,
neither the public nor myself are to be duped by your ridi-
culous fuss about nothing. To judge of the preposterous
importance attached by Dr. Ryerson to the unintentional ex-
clusion or inclusion of some few books, I may be permitted
to repeat that out of over 4,000 works mentioned in the
Catalogue, not perhaps twenty works come from the pen of
sound Catholic authors.

4. With a noble pertinacity, the Chief Superintendent
clings to his Index Expurgalorius. Very little, indeed, does
he know about the Index Expurgalorius, Had the good
Doctor been in the least conversant with the Roman practice
in reference to bad books, he would have known, that the
Church does not, and cannot put in the Index every bad
book. Some are condemned in globo, that is to say, without
mention of the names ; others, on the contrary, are con-
demned nominatiniy with the express mention of the title.
All bad books, in general, containing infidel, heretical, or im-
moral doctrines, are condemned by the Church, either nom-
inatinit or in globo. To assert, therefore, that because Hume's
and Gibbon's histories are not in the Index Expurgatoriust they

■:\

\
\.;m

>l. imi

\ii

i; I

ought not to bo objected to by me, betrays aii ignorance,
which was not to be expected from one who has obtained the

f)retcntious title of Doctor. Had he opened his eyes to. the
ight of common sense, he would have understood that the
C^iurch is unable to place on the Index, even the hundredth
or thousandth part of evil books which are daily issuing
forth from an intidel press. As well might Dr. Ryerson
say, that the obscene and filthy pamphlets which are hourly
handed about on railroad cars, and steamboats, should all
be placed in the Index, By the same rule it would follow that
the Globe must be a very correct vehicle of truth, and con-
tains nothing but what is proper, and fit to be rend by a
decent female, since this wretched sheet is not in the Index
Expurgalorius. I avail myself of this opportunity to in-
form his reverence that he is mistaken in regard to Hume
and Gibbon. One of them is in the Index. That both are
in his catalogue, I presume, the Doctor can have no doubt
now. Shame on the corruptor of youth, who places in
their hands the poison of infidelity and skepticism. '■ •- '

'^ 6. In order to enable the public to judge of the char-
acter of Kev. Dr. Ryerson's Libraries, I will add that bad
.as the catalogue is which contains not over twenty Catho-
lic works, these Public Libraries, got up under the super-
intendence of a Methodist Minister, particularly those out
in the country, are still worse. Since the beginning of this
controversy, friends of mine in the country, have called at
some of these Public Libraries, asking for Catholic books
mentioned in the catalogue. Those books were not there.
Whether they were not for circulation, or whether they
were not at all on the shelves of the Libraries, which is
more probable, the fact is, they could not be had. As a
general rule, there are none but Protestant works, in the
Libraries of Dr. Ryerson. . ^ : .-. ;>{»

In connexion with the above statement, I beg leave to
add the following remarks. Of the scheme of Public Libra-
ries got up by the (^hief Superintendent of Education, we may
say what is daily repeated about Common Schools. They
do not suit our community ; they are not adapted to its in-
stincts and wants. We are living in a community composed
of a thousand shades and shapes. Books to the liking and
taste of Protestants will not be relisherd by Catholics, and
vice versa Catholics will not as a general rule, look into Pro-
testant shelves for mental food. They know from experience

I«

nee,
the
the
the
edth
uing
rson
uriy
all
that
con-

y a

ndex
in-
ume
1 are
oubt
s in

that in these productions of Protestant writers, what they hold
most sacred is misrepresented and ridiculed. Nor will Pro-
testants, as a general lule, go to Catholic Libraries when they
seek for reading matter. Dr. llyerson should know that
Catholics have no more faith in Protestant Libraries, made up
of Protestant books, under Protestant agency, than Protes-
tants have in our own Libraries. I repeat again, in the divi-
ded state of Christendom, particularly in Upper Canada,
Common Libraries for both Protestants and Catholics, are an
impossibility. There is therefore but one alternative. Let
every denomination get up their own Libraries, and purchase
books adapted to their own choice and taste. Catholics will
never ask for their own private use a cent out of the funds
destined for general purposes. They would consider it the
greatest injustice to divert to their own exclusive use what
the unanimous voice of the nation has declared to be the com-
mon stock, the property alike of Protestants and Catholics.
Let me ask of the Chief Superintendent of Ed cation to con-
descend to take from a Catholic Priest lessons of justice and
equity. Let him listen to the voice of an obscure member of
the Church of Rome, reminding him of the golden rule once
imprinted on his mind by the finger of his Creator, but which
has been obliterated by religious prejudices and hatred of his
fellow Christians. " Do unto other as you would wish t* be
done by.^* Such is our rule, such are the principles which
should guide and direct every Christian, whose mind is not
poisoned by Ryersonian doctrine. I will add, the scheme of
Public Libraries, like that of Common Schools, having been
weighed in the scale, has been found wanting. The tree has
borne its fruit ; they have proved most bitter to the taste. I
am informed on good authority, that lately in several localities,
Proicstants, in a spirit of conciliation towards Catholics,
their fellow Christians, have already sold out their Public
Libraries, judging wisely that these Ryersonian contrivances
do not meet the present wants and taste of our community.
Thus has a great source of discord been taken from their
midst. It is to be hoped that before long all Upper Canada,
animated by similar feelings, will come to the same conclu-
sion, and scatter to the wind the great humbug of Dr. R yer-
son, viz : his Public Libraries, and substitute in their place
Private Libraries, better adapted to the liking of each deno-
mination.
6. I come to the fourth charge preferred against me by

r I

it' ,

/"■I

Si.

fcv!

i;.ii

Si J

the Chief Superintendent of education. I am accused by him
of having stated " that in the Common School system, Chris-
tianity was not recognised — that the schools were Godless
and infidel, and that lie (Dr. Rycrson) was employing every
means in his power to injure and destroy the Roman Catholic
Church." Before i answer the charge, I beg to state that the
infidel character of Dr. Ryerson's schools, is not the only ob-
jection we have to them. We object to them likewise, on the
ground that the books used in his Model Schools are not fit
to be placed in the hand of a Catholic child, nor of anybody
else. Indeed there is not a single text-book,even on the natural
sciences, arts, civil polity, political economy, or any branch of
natural history and human industry, — there is not a single
Protestant production o^ taste, literature and imagination,
but contains more or less that is offensive to Catholics. In
proof of what I advance, I will make a few extracts from
some of the text-books taught in Dr. Ryerson's schools.
White's Universal History, one, I believe, of his standard
works in the Grammar Schools, stands prominent among ob-
jectionable textrbooks. Almost every page of h modern
history, especially when it relates to Catholic nations or the
Catholic Church, exhibits instances of bigotry and scandal-
ous perversion of truth. For instance, under the head '* The
Church," the student in history" will read, " Many circux-
stances seem to have contributed to the great eclesiastical rev-
olution which distinguished this century. The introducfion
of image worship had been strenuously resisted" The above,
besides being a falsehood, is a direct insult oSercd to Catho-
lics as rational beings. Again, in a chapter headed " Luther,"
"The immediate cause of the Reformation was the gross
abuse of indulgences. In 1517, a sale of indulgences was
proclaimed as the most effectual means of replenishing his
(Leo X.) treasuary. By these, absolution was given for
future sins, as well as for past ; and they were converted into
licenses for violating the most sacred obligations." , On the
subject of the Council of Trent, the following, among other
passages, occurs. " Among the articles decreed by this Coun-
cil to be implicitly believed, are : — The celibacy of the clergy,
confession and absolution, the worship of images and relics ;
the intercession of saints, the adoration and Immaculate Con-
ception of the Virgin Mary." Behold, reader, how history
is taught in Dr, Ryerson's schools. In a book styled " Lec-
tures on Botany," in Lecture 39, under the title *' Superstitions

■^

with regard to the blossoming of plants," the reader will meet
with the following passage : "In the Romish Church, many
superstitions exist with regard to certain plants which happen
to blossom about the time of some saints' days. In Italy and
other countries in the iSouth of Europe, where these super-
stitions tirst originated, the dead-nettle being in blossom about
the time of St. Vincent's day, a martyr who suffered for
Christianity under the Emperor Dioclesian, in the year 304,
the flower is conisecratcd to him. The Winter Hellebore is
usually in blossom about the time of the Conversion of St.
Paul, supposed to be in commemoration of that event." Again.
'* The Crown Imperial blossoms in England about the 8th of
March, the day of St. Edward, King of the West Saxons ;
nature thus, as was imagined, honoring the day with a royal
Hower. It was during the middle ages, when the minds of
men were influenced by the blindest superstition, that they
thus imagined every operation of nature to be emblematical
ol sofhe thing connected with their religious faith.'* I omit
several other passages, reflecting particularly upon supersti-
tious monks and nuns who were, says the lecturer, the au-
thors of these conceits. Thus when Catholic children will
expect to read a lecture on Botany and flowers, they will be
treated to a lecture on superstitious monks and nuns. '[The
text book which contains these extracts is fresh front Dr.
Uyerson's libraries. I open another standard work, lately
from the shelves of thei Normal School, it is called : "Recre-
ations in Science and Natural Philosophy." Now, who would
expect bigotry and prejudices in Natural Philosophy ? Such
is, however, the case. In a section of the work, headed
" Amusing Problems," the following is found, — " A certa n
convent consisted of nine cells, one of which, in the middle,
was occupied by a blind Abbess and tlie rest by her nuns.
The good Abbess to assure herself that the nuns did
not violate their vows, visited all the cells, and finding
three nuns in each, which made nine in each row, retired to
rest. Four nuns, however, went out, and the Abbess return-
ing at midnight to count them, still found nine in each row,
and iherfeore retired as before. The four nuns then came
back, each with a gallant, and the Abbsss, on paying them
another visit, having again counted nine persons in
each row, entertained no suspicion of what had
taken place. But four more men were introduced, and
the Abbess again counting nine persons in each

t i: 5

row« retired in the full bertuasion that no one had cither
gone out or come in. How Vfas all this bossible t" I Icare
the tolution of the above problem to Dr. llyerson and his pu-
pils. If there is any impropriety in publishing such scandal-
ous trash, let the blame be fastened on the brow of those who
thus attempt to pervert the mind and corrupt the hearts of
unsuspecting youth. Such ate the Christian principles and
feelings in the highest and largest sense, which according to
Dr. Ryersdn, pervade the text- books used in his schools.

1 return now to the charge preferred against me by the
Chief Superintendent of Education, viz : my stating that in tho
Comnion School system Christianity was not recognized, that
the schools were Godless and Infidel, and that Dr. Kverson
was employing every means to injure and destroy the Koman
Catholic Church. In answer to the above, I will say that I
plead guilty to every one of these charges. With the pre-
sumed pernnission oi* His Reverence, 1 repeat again what I
have bilready stated on a former occasion, on the same sub-
let The Common State Schools, built with Cathloic as
well as Protestant money, are houses of education from which
Religion is banished, where the elements of Christianity can-
not oe inculcated to the rising youth, 'vhoro the child of
Christian parents must be taught practically that ail religious
systems are equally pleasing, or ralher equally indifferent, in
the sight of God, be he a believer in the immutable decrees
of eternal reprobation, or a follower of the impostor Joe
Smith. Our Common School System is but an importation
from Yankee Land, where it has already brought forth its
t)itter fruits, Deism, Irreligion, Infidelity, Know-Nothingism.
Now, what do our RepuWican neighbors think of their once
boasted Common School System ? In looking over various
statistics and rejjorts of Prison inspectors on the other side
of the line, We are struck at the unanimous opinion we meet
with, that Godless education, that is, mental training, apart
from moral and religions instruction, and an increase of crime
are co-existing facts. In New York City, where Common
School education, next to Massachusetts, has obtained its
greatest perfection, Justice Conolly, who last year sat upon
the Maine Criminal Bench, report^ that for the nine months
precceding October 1st, he had himself disposed of nine
thdusdnd three hundred and forty-two cases, or an average of
fcyrty cases daily, excepting Sunclays. The Prison irtspectorB.
. of New Jersey roade last January, 1866, the following Re-

Mther
lenre
is pu-
ftnaal-
who
irts of
8 and
ing to
s.

by the

in the

id, that

\erson

loman
^ that I
le pre-
what I
ne sub-
leic as
\ which
Ity can-
KJiild of
eligious
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decrees
lor Joe
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forth its
hingism.
leir once
• various
ther side
we meet
ng, apart
of crime
Cominon
lined its
sat upon
e months
J of nine
rerage of
ispectors,
wing Re-

porltoihe State Legijlalure: ** We regret tohnvbto ray
that we are of opinion that the violation of law hy the com-
mission of crime is largely on the increase in our State, and
as a natural consequence our penitentiary is full to overflow-
ing." It must be remembered that no State in the Union has
made greater etlbrts lor the difllision of Common School ed-
ucation than in New Jersey.

In a meeting held Inst year in the city of New York, and
composed of Troicssors of colleges. Professor Grecnlcaf said
he knew of thhteen young men who come from one school,
and every one of them had rushed headlong into destructicm.
The same speaker said that one of the teachers had made to
hinft the following declaration: '* I think 1 must change my
system of teaching ; I think I ought to give a little more mor-
al instruction, for already /u>o of my schonlars have been hung
for murder^ Education has been made a matter of State
policy in Prussia, and every child is, by the compulsion of the
Government, sent to school, and yet we are told that crime is
increasing there a^a frightful rate. The criminal returns of
Great Baitain and irelaiid, for the last twenty years, demon-
strate that the educated criminals are to the uneducated as
two to one. In Scotland the educated criminals are about
four times the uneducated. Nay, what is still more remark-
able, while the ^itrmber of uneaucated criminals, especially
in Scotland, is yearly diminishing, tha^ of educated ones is
yearly increaising. I gather the above facts from a little
pamphlet published by a Protestant Clergyman, styled,
"Does the Common School system ^f* the United States pre-
vent jCrime ?" I regret that the length of this letter prevents
me from laying before the public more than the following
extracts : " While the intellect is so sharpened and inform-
ed, (in the Common Schools) the rrioral powers' are suffered
to slumber and dwarf. The multitudes who have left school,
so ready in figures, so skillful with the pen, so well instructed
in the anatomy of their own bodies and the mechanism of a
steam engine, go forth into the world ignorant even of the
ten commandnienls and the Lord's Prayer, with an uninform-
ed and slumbering conscience, with impure and enlarged,
but ungoverned desires.,' *

It will not do, as Dr. Ryerson does, to assert that on the
State (>r^ State Schoolism devolves the duty of forming the
child's Aiind^ reserving to the parentand pastor the supreme
control 88 to its religions instruction. In ans'^rer tothi8frivi-
F2

■!■■

\ . 80

lions but Bpacions objection, my authority goes on saying,
"If we could but be assured that the multitudes of the
young were receiving a moral training, any wliere outside
of the ficliool room, at home, or at Church, it would some-
what extenuate the enormity wliich is now peipetrated.
But the lamentable fact is, that Jive-sixths of the homes of
the land are irreligious, j(?t'e-5ia:/A5 of tlie parents of America
do not even attend any place of public worship, and are
therefore, of course unqualified to give a moral bent and re-
ligious instruction to their oiFspring." " Ought not," adds
the same autliority, " this charming host, who are so un-
proTided for, both at home, and at church, in their daily
school instruction be made to receive some adequate moral
and religious training ? But tne popular Common School
system provides only for the communication of secular
knowledge. Now is it to be believed that such a system
tends to Sie glory of God, to the security of human life and
property, or to the prevention of ciime in general V* From
the above fearful facts and many others whifh I am compelled
to omit, the Protestant writer of the pamphlet above named
concludes by saying, " Yet let us not be misunderstood. "We
have no^ affirmed that education caup^is crime. We merely
affirm that the two are co-existing facts ; and that the system
of Common School education is attended with an increase
cf crime, because it is the education of only one side of
human nature, and that not the controlling side. Man's
moral and religious nature constitutes this other and better
but undeveloped half." Such is the ground on which we
also object to the Common School System. Dr. Kyei'son's
Schools are indentical with the Godless Schools, on the other
side of the line, where they have produced the most lament-
able results. Tlie Chief Superintendent himself has con-
fessed that they were formed on the plan of the celebrated
Massachusetts Schools. .^ •

Let us see what title they have to our gratitude in Toronto;
what tney have accomplished ; their present condition and
future prospect. What are our Common Schools doing in
tiiis City ? I beg to lay before the public the following ex-
cract from a Protestant Correspondent of the Cafholic Citizen
in a series of letters addressed by him to the Hon. John A,
Macdonald. The last letter shows that the number of child-
ren of school age, in the city, (Toronto) is 8,884. And by
Mr, Barber's Report for 1855, the average attendance in all

the
side
me-
ped.
h of
rica
are

the city free schools, was 1,570. The fact is officially record-
ed that in a population of 8,884 children of school age, only
1,570 is the average daily attendance. Let us turn to the
cost of supporting schools for the daily instruction of 1,570
children. The whole cost for the year 1855, including teach-
ers* salaries, maps and apparatus, rents and repairs ot school
houses, school books, stationary, fuel and other expenses, in-
cluding also the interest at G per cent, i& put down at J£7,093
12s. lOd. The cost, then, says the correspondent, of a daily
attendance of 1,570 children in the Free Common Schools of
Toronto is, £4 10s. 4d per head, for the year 1855. Thus,
for the education of Dr. Hyerson's pupils (who seldom fail to
insult a priest, when they have an opportunity) the city^ of
Toronto has to pay *' four pounds ten shillings and four pence"
per head. 1 have said enough, I trust, to convint e every sen-
sible man that the whole machinery of the Chief Superinten-
dent of Education, Common Schools and Public Libraries,
are a humbug or grand imposition.

1. If with this enormous amount of money expended in sup-
porting what I will not hesitate to call a gigantic imposition,
profitable only to those immediately engaged in its manage-
ment, some desirable results could be obtained, our citizens
mi.ht, perhaps, submit in silence to this obnoxious burden. But,
let me ask, what are the fruits ofour boasted School machinery?
Has education, after the Ryerson fashion, prevented crime ?
The statistics recently published show that in a city numl^er-
ing according to the last census, 42,000 souls, the number of
arrests made by the police during the past year, amount to
5.250, against 3,295 in !855. His Honor Judge Hagerty, in
his late charge to tie Grand Jury at the opining of the
Toronto City Assizes, was struck at the alarming number of
juvenile offenders, and remarked : " We may naturally ask
how such a crop of young criminals can arise in this land,
boasting as it does a widely extended system of Free Schools,
sup[X)rted by munificent assessments o.i the whole property
of this country. 1 fear the educational statistics of this city
can too readily afford an answer." Again, let me ask, does
not this unpleasant and unwholesome state of society, con-
vince every sensible man, that here, as in the neighbouring
Republic, modern education, divorced from religion, and an
increase of crime, are co-existing facts ?

In presence of the above alarming facts, it becomes the
duty of every man, every christian and citizen, to examine

where the evil lies. The able editor of the Toronto Times
has on this subject the following sensible, remarks : " If the
present school system has been tried and found wanting, let
us not waste time, that is most precious, in trying it again.
Let us not be frightened by the cry of sectarianism from
doing our duly to the rising generation. That something
should be done for them without delay, cannot be doubted by
any one who knows anything of the youth of this most moral
and well educated city." Next follows a gloomy picture
drawn by this earnest and honest citizen, of the alarming
condition of the youth in the city of Toronto. That some-
thing should be done for the rising generation is no longer
doubted ; that the present school system cannot, will not
rescue it from the frightful abyss it is rushing into, cannot be
questioned, except by those whose pecuniary interest is closely
connected with the grand imposture. What then should be
done for that interesting portion of our community? What
should all true christians do for the noble cause of education?
If I may be permitted to express my humble opinion, I will
attempt to give a solution to this perplexing problem. Let us
return to the course pointed out by venerable antiquity, and
the experience of all ages. Let us listen to the voice of
wisdom and patriotism. Washington's dying injunction was,
*- Never allow education to be divorced from religion." The
separation of religion from secular instruction, says the author
of the pamphlet already cited, is altogether a novel proceed-
ing. This divorcement of religion from education was un-
known to our fathers.

Since both reason and experience teach that religion and
secular education ought always to go hand in hand, the ques-
tion arises, how shall this be accomplished ? We are living
in a community divided into various and large religious bodies.
Catholics, members of the the church of England, Methodists,
Presbyterians. Baptists, Chtistians, of every name. When
children of those numerous christian denominations are as-
sembled together to receive instruction, shall a catholic priest
present him;5elf to teach his catechism, ? Shall a minister of
the Church of England undertake the task ? Shall a Metho-
dist preacher, offer his services ? Or shall a Presbyterian
minister be preferred? All these various religious denomi-
nations have their conscientious convicnons which cannot be
trifled with : they have their creed which must be respected.
What shall we do ? Let us all adopt the scheme which I

mes

the

let

Ji^ain.

Ifrom

Ihing

3d by

wral

rtiire

Iming

lome-

was,

have proposed for Public Libraries. Let every religious
denomination have its own school. Let religious instruc-
tion along with secular knowledge be daily given to the
anxious youth. Let the Government extend to all denomina-
tions its parental patronnge, and bestow on all an allowance
proportionate to the daily attendance. Then, and then only
shall peace and harmony reign again, in our community ;
then only, shall we have a moral youth, a promising genera-
tion. I hope Dr. Kyerson will now understand why 1 object
to his Common School System

7. In spite of the most convincing evidence. Dr. Ryerson
seems to be determined never to retrace a wrong step once
taken, or retract an untruth however palpal le. I presume his
Reverence acts up to the doctrine ascribed by him to The
Leader t but put in practice by himself. " A lie once told
should be stuck to." Without a blush, I fear, he repeats
again that Bishops Power and Macdonnell did not entertain
the same views on the subject of the Separate versus the
Common Schools, I laid before him a letter from the Honor-
ble John Elmsley of Toronto, in which that gentleman stated
most distinctly that His Lordship Bishop Power did " him
the honor to confide to his charge a large share in the work-
ing of the Catholic Separate Schools, and that he was
an energetic advocate and supporter of Catholic Separate
Schools, and most resolutely opposed to mixed." To this
what does Dr. Hyerson answer f Not one word. Of course
it is easier to assert than to prove, more convenient to abuse
than to refute a man. I am mistaken ; excuse me, reader,
Beheld Dr. Ryerson's answer. "After his decease, Bishop
Power was eulogized by me, (Dr. Ryerson) in a public and
published address." A conclusive logic this, very much so.
8. The Chief Superintendent of Education has asserted in
his first communication that the Roman Catholic children*
who have been taught in the mixed schools, are as good
Roman Catholics, as those who had been, or are taught in
the J^eparate schools. Against his assertion I piotested most
emphatically, and informed him at once, that we could easily
afford to give thom up to him, since they are as a general
rule, as Catholic and as Protestant as himself. Whereupon,
taking me up to my word, the good Doctor exclaims in an
extacy of joy: "I 'will cheerfully accept the charge, and
treat this large class of my fellow-citizens with the same
consideration and solicitude that I liave always shown for

■i'.

i f

ihcir welfare as well as for their rights.** I repeat again to
Dr. Ryerson : he is welcome to them, he may hug them to
his bosom till doomsday. But I cannot allow the following
bold .-issertion connected with the same subject to pass unno-
ticed. " Now," says his Reverence, ''as the Separate schools
are only recent and few and far between in Upper Canada,
it follows that nineteen-twentielhs. if not ninety-hnndreths,-
of the Roman Catholics who have received any education in
Upper Canada, have received it in the mixed schools." Allow
me to say, dear Doctor, with all due respect to your charac-
ter, his Satanic majesty would blush at such palpable false-
hoods. If the Separate schools in their present form are ohly
recent, they have always existed de factOj whenever, a Catho-
lic settlement warranted the establishment of one. The
Separate schools in those days were only tew and far between
in Upper Canada, because Catholics themselves were few
and far between. Does not Dr. Ryerson himself know in that
the very days of Bishop Macdonnell whom he represents as
being in favor of (common School Education, this saintly
Prelate went all the way to England purposely to get Catho-
lic Teachers, and brought over four of them, and placed
them where there was sufficient population to require their
services ? Does he not know that St. Raphael, in Glengarj,
Alexandria also in Glengary, St. Andrew in the county of
Stormont, and Perth in the county of Lanark, had Catholic
teachers, Catholic Separate schools de facto, long before the
present Separate School Act was thouffht of? Is he not
aware that a Catholic College for the liigher branches of
education, was established at St. Raphaels, by the same
venerable bishop, Dr. Macdonnell, so favorable to common
education, if we are to give credit to the Chief Superinten-
dent of Common Schools in Upper Canada? JJsineteen-
hundreths of the Roman Catholics, says Ryerscm, who have
received any education in Upper Canada, have received it
in the mixed schools. An angel would shed tears at such a
shameful perversion of truth, and utter absence of candor.
Let me, in turn, ask Dr. Ryerson, how long is it since the
present Common school system has existed ? How could
Catholics be educated in schools which had no existance at
the time ? There were indeed, in those early days, Public
schools to which the youth of the vicinity resorted ; but
infidel Ryerson schools they were not. When will the light
of common sens© shine upon the Doctor's obtuse mind and

give him to nnderatand that I am speaking of his own com*
mon school system, his own godless and infidel schools,
where Christianity is practically ignored ; in a word, his
State fjchools, hut a few years since imported into our midst
from Yankee land, the land of Know-^othingism? I hope,
if the Doctor is not too far advanced in years, he will set
himself to work and study the history of his own native
land, and dwell ])articuiarly on dates and facts connected
with eilucation. I feel great delicacy, ruyselfan infusion of
a new foreign eleiuent^ in being obliged to teach Canadian
History to the groat native of Canada, J)i\ Ryerson, Chief
Superintendent of Education.

9. With tlie theory of Dr. Ryerson, viz : that to the State
and not to tho parent the child belongs. I have nothing to
do ; nor, I believe, any sensible man in Canada. The ques-
tion having long been settled by the greatest geniuses, the
most profound philosopiiers and statesmen of Lurope, parti-
cularly of France, it ill becomes a village doctor, but yester-
day a shouting nicthodist preaclier, to set up his theory in
opposition to the wisdom and leaniing of the rest of the
world, I will merely remind him again that we are living
in a christian country, not among the pagan Spartans from
whom he has borrowed his setiseless scheme fit only for the
inhabitants of the moon. We, poor benighted Catholics
have been taught that on parents devolves the duty of eciu-
cating, as well as feeding, and clothing the child. The
State will have suffi'^iently done its part, by enabling the
parent to procure for his chili such an education as he
deems proper.

Before I conclude this already too long letter, I beg to
submit to the public whethi'r the couree pursued by Dr.
Kverson towards Bishop De Charbonnell, now absent from
this country, and myself personally, is calculated to give
him much credit. 1 have raised my voice in the name of
the whole Catholic body to protest agalnts the injustice per-
petrated by tiie Chief Superintendent of Education in
demanding the application of the Clergy Reserve Ennds,
solely for the use of his own Schools and Libraries, fiom
which a larire j)ortion of this comm

uty

I vantage at all. Instead of answering me in a fair and

impartial discur-sion, or what m'ouUI luive been more pru-
dent, for him, instead of rcmainini- silent, he choo-es to
brand uio wjili the opprobrious appellation ten times repeat

\ I

8«

cd, of an infusion of a new foreign element.. Had Dr.
Kyerson kept silence, we would liavc proceeded witli our
own Separate scliools, hunii)ered as they are witli odious
restrictions and illiberal provisions. \v'hen I remonstrate
a^aiiist his reverence, at the time that he is attempting
to destroy them by givini]^ to his Schools an overwhelming
feuperiority over our own Separate school?, I am met with a
long discussion on the right of the Hfate to educate the cliild,
followed with the usual amount of ril)aldry about t'onscien-
tious convictions manufactured to order. When I give my
reasons why we cannot allow our ch Idn n to go to Dr. Ryer-
Bon's schools, I am treated to a lecture on the "' lethargy and
enslavement of the human mind during the 'Dark Ages.' "
"When I prove to him that almost every book in his libraries
contains doctrines or facts hostile to Catholics, who, conse-
quently cannot derive any benefit from them, the Chief
Superintendent of edution accuses me of aim'mij at control-
ling or destroying emnj man and every institution in the,
land. When I expatiate in the name of 1,500,000 Catho-
lics on the injustice of laying his rapacious hand on the
Clergy Eeserve Fund, and thus depriving them of their just
filiare of the common property, 1 am abruptly told by his
Reverence; hush! you are a foreigner. I a})peal to a just
and imi^artial public, are Catholics bound to puffer them-
selves to be robbed by Dr. Hyerson, without the power of
ntiering a word of comphiint, or expressing their grievance?
Is it just; is it fair to place into the hands of a Methodist
preacher the iminense resources wrested from the Church
of England by an act of the Provincial Parliament ? Will
the French Canadians, also a new foreign element in this
country^ thank Dr. Kyerson for the <)])])robrious epithets so
recklessly flung in their face ? Will they sympathize with
him when he i)oun* his vial of ridicule upon their Chief
Pastors and Prie^^is i What will the Government say
when they see their Oilicial and servant, extend the right
hand of friendship to the Organ of the Clear Grits, the
perpetual reviler of the present Administration ? On the
other hand, what estimate must the Clear Gri^s form of the
Chief Superintendent, a man to-day a Toiy, to-morrow a
Keformer, but ever rvwdy to sell himself to whomsoever is
willing to pay him well i

In conclusion, I will say : were I as sen-itive as my
antagonist, I laight complain of the unfair treatment I meet

Dr.
our

ious
rate
ting
nng
Ith a
liild,

tvith al the liaticrs of a certain portion of the press, which
comments upon my letters witboat publisliing tliem, or
publishts Dr. Ryerson's personal cliatribea, witliout allowing
tlie public to see the other side of tlie question.

Hoping that the public will bear with me, and judge
between the perpetual assailant of Catholics and myself, I
submit the above rejoinder to their sense of justice and
fair-play, subscribing myself, . ,. . .

Their most obedient servant,

J. M. BRUYERE.

Toronto, January 2Tth, 1857.'

DR. RYERSON'S REMARKS IN REPLY TO THE REV. J. M.
BRITYERE'S THIRD LETTER.

FOR THE LEADER,

From the obligations of duty, I have read the Rev. J. M.
Bruyere's third Letter, ot upwards of four closely printed
columns in this day's Leachr ; but from the same obligations
1 shall occupy only four short paragraphs in reply.

1. In sui)port of the four priucipal issues which Mr.
Bruyere ha(' raised in his tirst Jettei against the school sys-
tem and its .'^ Iministration, he adduces not a single fact or
authority, or clause of a law, but repeats assertions, multi-
plies e[)ithets and rapsodies to the extent of columns. Ho
reasons, or rather apostrophizes, throughout in a circle — tho
chtiracteristic style of his schqpl on all theological and other
questions ; and the sum of his argument is, that 1^\\. Brnyere
'v\ many forms of speech, ai-serts to be true in January,
what Mr. Bruyere had, in as many forms assertel to be true
in December. This is all the strength of the charges and
argumentation of the new foreign and ecclesiastical element
against our schools and school system.

2. The text-books in the Common schools to which Mr.
Ih'uyere s^ys he objects, have been prepared by the National
Board of Education in Ireland, and sanctioned alike by the
Roman Catholic and Protestant authorities, and Members of
that Board. So that Mr. Bruyere speaks without — and even
against — :uitiiority from his own church, as well as against
truth and reason. The C ommon schools as they existed n
t ie days of Bishops Macdonnell and Power, were less stric

(jif

I?: %

in regard to the character, morals and qualifications of
Teachers, and non-sectarian text-books, and the discipline
and conduct of pupils, than they arc at the present time.
The passages which Mr. Bruyere has been able to cull from
two books in the J^ibrary Depository, relating to occurrences
in the Romafi Catholic ( 'liurch in past agv s, are little in com-
parison of what may be found in many of the Library books
in regard to almost every persuasion of Protestants, and are
as nothing in comparson of what may be found in the
Catholic liistories from tlie same Depository in regard to
, the fathers of the Protestant Hefornuition, Protestanism
generally, and every class of Protestants. Mr. Bruyere's
renewed assertions in regard to Bisl op Power, ai'e not of
the slightest weight when placed beside the facts of Bishop
Powei'^s position and proceedings in regard to our school
system while he lived.

3. On the theory of the duties of the state, or of society
at large, to each cf its members — especially of its helpless
and unprotected members — I have but given expi ession to
what will be found in every standard wiiter on ))olitical
economy or civil government on the Continent of Eur:>pe,
as well as Great Britain and America.

4. In conclusion, I have only noticed Mr. Bruyere be-
cause of the position he occupies ; and when one thinks
that empty assertions, despotic assumptions, and vulgar
personalities which hiss through the many cohimns of liis
production, constitute the whole strength in argument ot the
only organized ecclesiastical Opposition (formed by this new
foreign element in a section of one religious persuasion)
against our School system, we may well be satisfied of its
soundness and integrity ; and with increased confidence
and energy, may the public pursue iis onward course in
building up, maturing and extending a system which has
been devised ai d established under the auspices of all
parties in successive Administrations and Parliaments, and
sustained by the people at large with unparalleled* liberality,

unanimity and patriotism.

January 30, 1857.

E. PwYEESON.

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REV. J. M. BRUYERE'S VALEDICTORY

RYERSON.

ADDRESS TO DR.

TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE PUESS IN CANADA.

I was absent from home for a short time. On my return, Dr. Ryer-
son's remarks in reply to my third letter, vrorc placed into my hands.
As I lead tliem, methou'^ht I heard the dying tire of a retreating en-
emy The good Doctor's powder is evidently exhausted. He has left
the field of battle and decamped to parts unknown.

1. The Chief Superintendent of Education is pleased to re-assert
that "in support. of the four principal issues, which I hud raised in my
first letter against the School System and its administration, I adduce
not a single fact or authority, or clause of a law, but repeat assertions,
etc., etc." In answer to this puerile assertion, 1 will merely say — if
the love of truth and honesty has lost all power upon the callous heart
of my reckless opponent, I can but express my surprise that self-res-
pect, at least, and a regard for his high station, have not succeeded in
making him more guarded and cautious in his words. I leave it to the
public who have read my second Rejoinder of the 30th ull., to judge
whether I have merely asserted or proved the question at issue.

2. In vindication of the objectionable character of the text-books used
in the Common Schools in Upper Canada, the Chief Superintendent of
Education states, that they " have been prepared by the National Board
of Education in Ireland, sanctioned alike tiy Roman Catholic and Pro-
testant authorities and members of that Board." J am sorry to say. Dr.
Ryerson is too freequently most unfortunate in the selef tion of his
proofs. Were his Doctorship in the least conversant with what is go-
ing on in the Catholic world, he would have read lately a pastoral of
His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, Primate
of Ireland and Delegate of the Pope in that country, in which the
whole scheme of Common National Schools is most emphatically de-
nounced and warned against, as fraught with the most serious dangers
to the faith and morals of Catholic youth. Alluding to theQueen's Col-
leges established in Ireland for the teaching of the higher br?n<rhes of
education. His Grace says: "Censured by the Holy See, and repudia-
ted by the Irish hierarchy, the Queen's Colleges will never take root,
nor permanently flourish in this Catholic country. Foundeif on the
principle of indifTerentism to religion, and placing religious doctrines,
true and false, on the same footing- of equality, they will never gain
the confidence of the people of Ireland, who believe that there is but
one faith, as there is but one baptism and one God."

Passing to the examination of the books compiled for the special use
of the Common National Schools, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin
adds: — "The new books were to contain no special doctrine of Catho-
licity, and not even to mention the name of Catholic. Indeed, this plan
has been carried so accurately into effect, that a pupil might perhaps,
read all the historical treatises of the National Board, without learning
that there everexiswd such a body as the Holy Catholic Church, or such
an Institution as that of the Roman Pontificate, which has spread the
blessings of true religion and civilization over a great part of the globe.
Nay more, in these books, the history of our country and church is al-
most totally ignored, and it is to be observed that, whilst in the extracts

I'i;

Jirepared for the pupiU, tho praises of England and Scotland are held
brtn in the enthusiastic language of their writers, we find in tliern very
little to excite affection for our own dear country. Indeed, all these
books bear on them the mark of the Protestant Dignitary now enjoying
the See of Dublin, who could not communicate to thei.i any of the spir-
it and of the faith of Ireland. Publication.^ so devoid of every thing
dear to the heart of our pe pie, should give way to works of a different
character !" Next come His Grace's views on the nature and tenden-
cy of Common Education. On this subject, Archbishop CuUen says:
— " Dangers may have arisen or not for the past, but the system of its
nature, is liable to cause tliem, and in progress of time will cause them.
The mixture of Protestant, Presliyterian and Catholic teachers, cannot
net beneiicially on the mind of children, who are guided very much
by the example of those who preside over them, and are too ready to
embrace their opinions. The mixture uf Catholic and Protestant pupils
must exercise an evil influence on their religious persuasions and prac-
tices. From mixed education we can expect nothing but evil. We
should not acquiesce in it or encourage it." Doctor Ryerson who has,
at different times, taken upon himself to lecture His Lordship Bishop
De Charbonnel, for reminding the Catholics of his diocese of their
duties and rights as citizens and Catholics, will be surprised when he
reads the following passage in Dr. Cullen's Pastoral : — " The influ-
ence of the great Catholic population of Ireland should be exercised
in asserting tneir rights, and even our electors should use their votes
to return men to Parliament determined and able to support unmixed
education for Catholic children, and freedom of education from State
control for all." In closing these quotations, I will add : on
the vital subject of Catholic Education, Catholics the w'orld over,
are one. Pastors and flock, a I hold the same views, are animated by
the same feelings. The above principles, as laid down by Archbis-
hop Cullen, are but the expression of the whole Catholic Church, in
England, Ireland, the United States, Canada, in a word, over the whole
f*ce of the Globe. I again beg the public to judge whether I have
ipoken without and even, against authtity Jrom my own Church as
well an against truth and reason, as Dr. Ryerson is pleased to assert in
his last reply.

3. Oil the theory of the right or duty of the State or of the parent,
concerning the education of the child, I will not dwell any longer, ex-
cept in so far as Dr Ryerson's assertion goes. His Reverence does
not hesitate to inform the public that " he has but given expression to
what will be found m every standard writer on political economy or
civil government, on the Continent of Europe, as well as Great Britain
and America." I have repeatedly reminded the Chief Superintendent
of Education, that his long gone-b'y theory, concerning the rights of tho
State over the child, was imported from Pagan Lacedoemon, and conse-
quently unfit for a Christian Country. If, however, my learned antago-
nist persists in asserting that he knows of no other theory on the sub-
ject, that in all his reading of works on political economy or civil gov-
ernment, he has never met any other, I beg leave to say, with the
deepest sorrovy. Dr. Ryerson's acquaintance with standard works bear-
ing on the subject of political economy is very limited,and confined within
a very narrow range of political science. This could hardly be expected
from one who assumes the pretentious title of Doctor. If such be your

sub-
gov-

I>1

misfortune, however, go lo study again, I wouhl say, good Doctor, and ex-
tend your reading b(?vonil the Kohooi text-liook. Open some ot those
misterly works, which have been composed by the greatetit geniuses of
modern times, the most profound I'hiioHophers, and mo>sl consummate
statesmen ol the Ct ntinent of Luro{)e. Allow me to introduce you to the
works of C'ount De lk)nald, ('ount Le Mai^t^e, Bairnes, an humble son
of poor benighted Spain, and a ho.st of other produftions of our days
which will, 1 trust, contribute to eiUarge the too limited nphero of your
literary ac(iuirernents. Kead but a few pages ; you will boon bo con-
vinced that your darling theory, viz : that the child belongs to the State,
lias long since been exploded and scattered to the wind.

4. In his concluding paragraph, Dr. Ryer.-on still ro])eats his inflated
laudation of his Conimun School System whicli he represents as iu»
tained by tiie peopU at larqe with iinparaUcled Uheratity, unanimity
and palrioliwi. As an ilhistration of this wundcrfui imnnimify and
patriotism, the Chief Siiperintend(;nt of JCducation should have stated
that in the City of Toronto, out of a Protestant population of 29,550 souls
the incredible numbftr of 1,570 children is the average daily attend-
ance in these Moilel Schools. He should have informed the public
that in this same city, in a Protestant population of 8,884 children of
school age, 1,570 youths of all denominations (Catholics excepted)
attend his ALdel Schools, at a yearly co!«t of the very moderate sum of
£7,093 ris lOd. Contrast now dear rtjader, the condition of our poor
benighted .Catholics with that of their more favored fellow christians
of the Protestant persuasion. In the same City of Toronto, out of a Cath-
olic population of 1'2,210 souls, the average daily attendance i" our
Catholic Separate Schools was, last year, 1,286. The lotal rec. ts
for the support of these Catholic Schools, during the same year, ir elud-
ing city taxes and Legishitive grants amounted to X7)15. To return to Dr.
Ryerson-s Common ^'cho Is, I will pay : very popular indeed, must be a
system of education which can command such syni])athy, and exhib-
it such cheering results ! As to the liheralit' vith which the Common
School System issup])orleil, it cannot be ('
collect that for the education of Dr. TJvei
of Toronto has to pay on I C7,01»3 12s"l('.
education of their 1,286 chi en. rtceivcil

City taxes and Legislative ^^rants, jC54r>. To inese rnther unpleasant
facts, I must not iorget that my ineomparal''- niilagonist iias an unanswer-
able reply, viz : — Tins new foreign and ec inticolfleynent orfuinst our
Schoohand School System. Ah, Doctor! alluw me to say ; for the fu-
ture spare my feelinii's. This is the thirty ♦^ifth time, if I recollect
well, that these ugly expressions are Hung inio my face. 1 can bear
it no longer. I confess it now, 1 am a foreigner you are a native ;
therefore you are in the right, I must be in the wrong.

In justice to my distinguished antagonist, the Great Native of Can-
ada, 1 must admit that his last cotnminiication to the public, is the least
objectionable, — because the shortest. His reply occupies only four
short paragraphs Still, I must say, every paragraph, every line, ev-
ry word of his parting address contains a lamentable perversion of
truth. When will this maddened enemy to Catholicity learn to tell
the truth? Despairing of ever correcting a habit, which, I fear, he
must bay J contracted from his earliest vouth, I send him to his good

ed. Let the reader re-

s l,.^70 ])upils, the City

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niother> if still alire. Perhaps maternal endearment will have more
infiuenee over his obdurate heart than arguments, fects) &Cm &c.

In conclusion, I beg to offer to the able and liberal Editor of Tk«
Leadary the sincere expression of my heart-felt gratitude for the very
great kindness and courtesy vrith which he has condescended to open his
columns to my commanicationS) such as they are. I hope my distin-

Siished opponent will not refuse to join with me, in the discharge of
is impemtive duty towards oci common friend. I would be wanting
to myself, were I to forget the Editor of the Gtobef whose delicate sense
of editorial propriety has prompted him to comment tifmn my letters
without publishing them. To all, friends and foes, in this discussion,
I take -pleasure in offering the expression of my best wishes fw their
prosperity, and beg to subscribe myself.

Their most humble and obedient servant,

J. M. BRUYERE.
: Toronto, February 4th, 1857.

Letter from fhe Bight Bar. Doctor finsoneaiilt, Bif hop of Lon-
don, C. W., to the Bey. J. M. BrnyerOf on the snliiject of the late
Controversy with Dr. Byerion.

London, C.W., Feb. 10, 1867.

R«v. AND Dear Sir, — Pending your recent controversy with the
Chief Superintendent of Education, for Canada West, which I have
read with the greatest interest, I thought proper to refrain from
intruding upon your valuable time, io order to congratulate you for
your earnest and able advocacy of Catholic education. But now
that it has come to an end, I hasten to offer you my warmest thanks
and sympathies; and, at the same time, 1 beg to avail myself of this
opportunity, to suggest the propriety of having the whole corres-
pondence — as it has appeared in the Leader — got up in pamphlet
form ; to which, if possible, might be added the very remarkable
letters addressed by " A protestant," to the Hon. Attorney General
McDonald, and lately published in the Catholic Citizen.

The poor attempt of the Reverend OflBcial, to represent you as
the organ of but a contemptible Joreign party — with which the body
of Catholics in Canada, has no common sympathy — is altogether
unfair and groundless; so much so, that I do not hesitate to say —
and I say it advisedly — that you hare undoubtedly expressed the
views of the entire hierarchy in Canada — nay, of the whole Catholio
Church. Any one at all conversant with Catholic unity, is aware
that, on the subject of Catholic Education, as well as en any other
involving Catholic principles, pastors and flocks are always oiie.

Has not the principle of the godless Common School system been
repeatedly declared dangerous to faith and mtrals^ by our own
Provincial Councils, by the Councils of Ireland, more especially by
the celebrated Council of Thurles— convened and presided over by

Wfl

the Right Rev. Dr. Cullen, delegate of the Holv See— and findlj^bjr
the Sovereigii Pontiff himaeit ? Hence it is that the Catholic body,
which believes in the unerring authority o^ihe Church in all questiuua
appertaining to faith and nioraU, never will, because conscience
forbids if, approve and countenance this c(>mmon school syst.'ni, at
now imposcNl upon us in this section of the Province. The leasts
ther^-tbrc, that we can do, Rev. Dear Sir, is to offer you our well
deserved thanks for the noble stand you have tttken, and for your
very able defence of Catholic education, and this despite your
unusually aniuous occupations during the protracted absence of your
venerable Ordinary.

And here, f sincerely regret to be under the punful necessity to
express my nttor di8api)robation of the unbecoming language
used by the Chief Sui)erintendent. of Education, when speak-
ing of my most honored Brother in the Episcopacy. Such
flippant expressions as these — the Charbonnela and Bruyttet, a new
foreign element^ and others, — repeatedly brought forward, as it were
with a vengeance — imply a disregard of decorum which we certainly
-should not have expected from an official of the Government, much
less from the Head of the Education Offic?.

It is a painful duty tor roe to be compelled to administer such a
rebuke to a gentleman, whom I would fain honor for his high station,
and would gladly eulogise — if I conld — for his impartiality. I can
not but be grateful to him for the courtesy he has shown to me,
when on a recent occasion — which he has alluded to in his first
reply — I consulted him about the Separate School Bill ; but his
courtesy in private life must not prevent me from censuring his
official misdemeanor. How a gentleman in his station — evidently
well lead — could have betrayed, in the above controversy, such
ignorance of Catholic matters, and such a gross disregard of Catholic
feelings, 1 am really at a loss to understand. But, be this as it may,
you have said enough to teach him, that, in the Churchy tJiere is no
foreign element, and that — in virtue of the all powerfull unity of our
Apostolic Faith — one spirit and one soul pervade the whole body,
without distinction of native or foreign born. Besides, nalivism had
nothing to do with the question at issue, and is rather a foreign ele-
fi'ent itself when wrought repeatedly to bear — as a conclusive
argument — against the liberty of conscience, which is involved in
the pr. sent Common School System. It strikes me that in a colony
where thousar Jsof foreigners are yearly pouring upon our chores—
to the great benefit of our young country — nativism is rather out of
place, or at least too premature for the time being. At all events,
the native flag should not have been hoisted by the Keverend Chief
of Education, who naturally is expected to keep aloof from all political
platforms. Your adversary is not more fortunate, in bis oft repeated
attempts to throve' on his side the whole moral weight of the late

BUbofM MoDonell and Power. The most be couM have «^id with
any truth, was that they tolerated, to a oertaiQ exteot^ what they
conld not prevent; but to, pretend that the} were favor«>ble to mixed
education, is injurious to their honored memory, and untruehin poim;
of i«u!t. Need I say that it is notorious that boUi the«e zealous pre-
lates labored most faithfully and most utrenuously— in their own
times — ^to estiiblish thorough Catholic Schools whenever and
wherever circumstances permitted them. The fact of Bishop Power
being a member of the Board^ only shows his desire of gi\ ing a fair
trial to a new system, concerning which many a time have 1 heard
him express his misgivings, but the deplorable result of which his
lanfientable and premature death prevented him from witnessing and
rebuking. As for his venerable successor, he did what his consuience
jH'ompted him to do, as soon as he felt that he could no longer coun-
tenance the wholesale sacrifice of Catholic interests and principles,
which he is bound to uphold to the utmost of his power ; and so
Would have done both the above named Bishops — >as well as any
Other.

Concerning what you hrve said about Public Libraries, tJie que?-
tion is not wb other you were right or wrong with regard to the
exact number of Catholic books said to be on their im^lves, but
whether you had good ground for denouncing them as dangerous to
faith and morals. Vow, most emphatically do I endorse your sound
view on this question, for we can hardly be less opposed to mixed
Libraries than to mixed education,- — the same principles of faith
and morals being equally involved iii both systems. Witness the
scandalous problem extracted by you from one of the standard books
issued by the Department of Education. And God knows how
many other passages no less objectionable, might be brought to light
by a careful perusal of the various books connected both with Pub>
lie Libraries and Common Schook.

It behoves, therefore, the pastors of the Church to warn the flock,
committed to their care, against seeking such noxious and poisonous
pastures as are held out l)y these Public Libraries, so warmly pa-
tronized by our Reverend oiiicial.

Again, great stress has been laid upon your so-called intolerance,
(as if truth could tolerate error,) which would fain *• enslave human
reason in ignominious fetters." Bombastic words, and high-sound-
ing sentences were used by the Reverend Gentleman of ^e Educa-
tion Office in order to illustrate — as he fancied very forcibly — this
old and now st»le caluTnny — has it not been repeated uaque ad
nauiiam ? But his puny efforts in this regard will only meet the
&te of similar attempts previously made by more powerful and dan-
gerous writers, — the indignant scorn of every right-minded person
at all conversant with t)ie true l^istory of the Church. As for you

• -■ > >

my dear Sir, jou can well afi'ord not to grudge him tlut pallcy gra-
ti^ation, in Uii discomfiture on the main qu«»t^pn at if lue ; pieaM
allpw him to ** raise Uie wind'' in the convenlble to his heart's coo-
tient: in the present instance, this shahhy attempt is a barmlv-aa
ruse- — for it has decidedly proved a dead failure.

Now, the case is this— Wo ask no favor, but simple justice. If
the enemies of freedom of education in Upper Oanada, CHunot aAord
to yield us — willingly and cheerfully — that justice which Catholics
in Lower Canada have spontaneously extended long ago, and are now
extending to their separated brethren, at least let them be strictly
just and impartial. We ask no more. But it is meet they should
knovir that i«rh. never the sacred principles of faith and morals are at
stake, we cannot, on any account, yield one iota.

Let obloquy, calumnies, abuses, revilings and threats be the coii-
sequence. We expect it — we are prepared for it — nay, it is our
daily lot — *■*■ discipulua non est Hupra Magi»trum^ in mundo jyre$-
suram hahehiti^ ;— hence, no despondericy, no supineness, no relax-
ation in our protracted struggle, but a cool, unHinching determi<
nation, which will fiever yield^fbre auy obstacle how great soever.
Many otherwise, well disposed people, may perhaps be at a loss to
understand our perseverance in this— for us — vital qiiestion, viz : to
procure the entire freedom of Catholic education. What is a roy*.
tery to them, is a plain question with us ; it is but consistency witk
pur religious principles which are involved in that questbn. But
when it cones to that point, there comes also the necessity of utter<-
ing the stubbpin ^' non possumus" once boldly delivered by th«
Apostles in the fape of Human Power, and ever since repealed ii^
similar circumstances by their legitimate successors in tlie Ministry,
and such we are, the Reverend ofiicial notwithstanding. There lied
the true secrect of our sO-called obstinacy. We have been forced
by weakness arid intolerance combined — into using that " non pot*
Humus ,'" it will uphold us, as it has ever upheld our fathers in the
faith, under much more trying circumstances; and finally — sooner
or later — it will undo^btedly en^sure our complete success in thit^
just and necessary struggle for the above sacred cause; for, succeed'—r
we must^ we will.

In conclusion. Reverend dear Sir, I beg leave to express once more
^y entire^ concurrence in the views and sentiments advocated by
you, in this controversy, relative to your strictures on the present
Common School system, and in your untiring efforts to pro-
cure the complete freedom of Education to our Catholic com-
munity. Most cordially do I concur with you on this momentous
subject, which Catholics have so much at heart ; and, rest assured,
that they never will give up the contest until justice is granted
Ihem. '

'^ 'I take great pldftsure in thus acknowledging your eflRcient ssrvicei
in behalf of our poor children, und I thnik I can veisture to Bay,
that, not only have you the aympatliies of the whole Catholic body
of the Province — with all the Bi-shops at its head — enlisted in your
fitvor, but also those of a large- and most respectable number of our
teparated brethren.

Begging your pardon for intruding so much on your valuable
timo, I remain,

With very great regard,

Your's afiectiountely in Christ,

t ADOLPHE,

BishiOp of London.
The Rev. J. M. Bruyere,
St. Michael's Palace, Toronto.

FEOM THE PUBLISHERS.

tn reply to the preceeding letter from the Catholic Bishop of London,
to the Rev. Mr. Bruyere — the Chief Superintendent of Education,
addressed to llis Lordship, a long communication which appeared in
the Leader of the 26th of February. This called Iprth another letter
from the same Prelate, addiessed, like the first, to the Rov. "Mr.
Bruyere, and published in the Leader of March 2nd. It was honored by
a second but short reply from Dr. Ryerson, in the Leader of 3rd March.
The latter publications cannot properly be considered as part of the
Correspondence between the Chief Superintendent of Education and
his antagonist: they are, therefore, left out of the Pamphlet. The
following letter from the Rev. Mr. Bruyere, being a reply to different
charges already refuted by him, but agaip repeated by Dr. Ryerson,
bears directly on the question debated in the pamphlet, and is therefore
inserted therein. The Chief Superintendent of Education cannot com-
plain if his communication to Dr. Pinsoneault, Bishop of London, does
not appear in the pamphlet, since that of his opponent meets with the
same fate. This is but fair play.

lat

ter
ant
rei
Ian

REV. J. M. BRUYERE'S LETTER ON DR. RYERSQN AND
THE ROMAN CATOHLIC BISHOP OF LONDON.

TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THJS PRESS IN CANADA.

A slight illness has prevented me from noticing sooner the last
lucubrations of that erratic individual, called Chief Superintendent of
Education in Upper Canada. I allude to his so-called replies to the
noble letters addressed to me, in the columns of The Leader of the

36th ttltuno, and 8rd instant, bjr the Right ReT. Dr* PiiMooeaolt, th«
distinguished Catholic Bishop of London, C. W., on tho subject of the
late controversy between Dr. Ryerson and myself.

From past exp.vieiice, the public was prepared for any amount of
tergiversation and misrepresentation on the part of this unscrupulous
and unprincipled official. His last frantic diatribes, purporting to be
replies to his Lordship's letters, but more appropriately styled — '* vulgar
lampoons on 1,60(>,(M)0 of his fellow citizens" — show evidently that, in
addition to his former total absence of candor and honesty, he has in
store an inexhaustible amount of scurrility and malice. As to his
scurrilities and gross abuse against everything Catholic, especially his
Indecent personalities against a dignitary ol the Church, I will not
stop to gatiiei* them up and fling them back in the face of the contemp-
tible reviler of Catholicity. When a man can so far forget himself, as
to apply such choi.3 and polished expression as ungentlemanly and
eilly ^vaionSf to the amiable Prelate who governs the Diocese of
Loudon, he may as well be pihtsed by in silent contempt. I wiji
merely suy^ en paBsant, that, whilst we are willing to make great
allowance for the disturbed and excited state of his mind, we have at
least a right to expect that he will keep a civil tongue in his mouth
when addressing those who pay him his wa^es ; and refrain from using
a language not to be tolerated in the fish market. Had Bishop
Pinsoneauit paid homage to the |iedanlio official, who claims the
privilege of insulting (every thing Catholic, by upholding the godless
school system oi foreign importation; had he condetitcended to allow
his sophistries, his fallacious expressions and malicious insinuations to
pass unrebuked ; bad he not stooped to lash the reviler of the Pontifis
of the Church, he might have been fortunate enough to be eulogized by
the Methodist Minister. But because the Bishop of London has raised
his voice in behalf of freedom of education ; bacause he has nobly
and eloquently declared the unanimous sympathy and approbation of
the •whole Hierarchy in Canada, on the nil important question of
Christian education ; because he has come forward to proclaim that I
was not the mere organ of an insignificant party, a new infusion
of a foreign element^ the Chief Superintendent of Education loses his
temper, and forthwith ^ives his Lordbhip of London a lecture on the
regard he owes to the dignity of his office.

" i>han we who struck the Lion d3wn, shall we
Pay the Wolfe homage i "

BT«oa.

Passing over the sundr} intemperate and uncalled for effusions which
appear in the communications referred to, and which the public may
easily trace to the late discomfiture and ignominious prostration of the
Chief of Education, I beg leave to touch slightly upon some other
mistatements perpetiated by him in his so-called answer to the Roman
Catholic Bishop of London, in 7%e Leader, of the 26th ultimo. I
allude to these fresh instances of tergiversation, because they concjprn
me personally. Dr. Kyerson says that I charged him with " having
excluded all Roman Catholic, civil and ecclesiastical histories
from the catalogue of library books." Now, I said no such thin^.
I did not so much as allude to his catalogue (with which he is
making himself ridiculous) till he brought it iu, in the course of th«

boAxtiii^Mf, with a View lb ^Imti^e the qu^ktii it iaiu«. I MMotistti*
ikd agaitttt the objectionable eh&rtuixer of hii Protestant libraries. I
was met at once by the Doctor, vrho holding up his catalogue, pointed
with his fin^t to seme haif-aH]ozen Catholic books therein. inserted.
My wily antagonist thus truited thai the snbstitntion of Catahgue for
MUraneB would blind fold thj reader. The pious fV«ud has rebounded
upbn its author with double power. Detection and shame have been
the consequence. Now, to return to the question, I stated, and I repeat
drain, that the Public libraries so earnestly recommended by the Cnief
of £kiucation> to the patronage of the Municipalitieii, were altogether
ny)t(BStant, made ujp of Protestant works, adapted to the taste of
ProtestahtS only, ana consequently unfit foT Catholics.

Itie fairness with which hia Reverence boasts of having acted by
inserting thd names of about a dozen of Catholic books in his catalogue
coniaMing upwairds of 4,000 Protestant or inlidel works, such as Gibbon
ahd H'dme, is one cf the most pitiful attemjpts at im{k)sition that ever
was perpetrated by that double dealiug oifticial, called Dr. Ryeison
What is it to the public, to Catholics and to me, if the bare name or
ihadow of a few Catholic works figures in Dr. Ryerson's catalogue,
whilst, as a general rule, not one of the above mentioned books can be
found on the shelves of his Public libraries ? When you visit these
wonders of the Chief of Education, his Public libraries, you may gaze
lirOuhd till dOOmsdiy, you see none but Prdstestant histories, Protestant
nove^, Prbtestaiit notes of a traveller, Protes^tant essays, Protestant
diaries— all Works more or less offensive to a Catholic reader, all more
bt less replete with insulting misrepresentations of Catholic practices,
Catliolic doctrihes, and Catholic customs or usages. In perusing the
patalojguO containing the names of over four thousand works, yon come
actOss the names of about a dozen of Catholic books. Ask the Superin-
tendent of the libriarjr for one of these works, the title page of which is
in the catalogue. It is not there. Ask for another ; it js not to be found
tiiere. This I am able to assert on the authority' of confidential fnends
who hkve tried the experiment. Now, let me ask it again of h\k
Reverence, are such libraries fit for a mixed community like ours ?
We are in some places, one-fourth, in other pilaces, one-third of the
i)Opulation. Have we not a right to a proportionate share of works?
In many of the Public libraries not a single Catholic vrork can be pro-
cured. Again, is this an illustration of the fair dealing with which
Dr. Ryerson boasts of having acted in getting up these grand humbugs,
styled by him^ Public Libraries ? If snch be the case, then I say :
God. save us from this honest and fair-dealing official ?

The Chief Superintendent of Education goes on saying "that I
charged him with having originated legal restrictions by which neither
iKshoo^ af pifatus or books could be procured fOr the Roman Catholib
chU^en of Separate schools." I am accused by the saihe Suprieme
^udge of the Education of^ce, of having said that '< Roman Catholic
children in Sdparate schools, were denied school maps and appa-
r<itu(»." I beg leave to say iSfa/va Reeerentiu, a greater falsehood has
not been uttered since the day of the fall of our first parents in the
^ea^hly jMiradise. In the whole of my correspondence with Dr. Ryfer-
fop, I Qitde no such statement as the above. All I said, and I repeat
lil4(^^^B^^9^^d and fotirth time, -ia that, should the sVigQeti&onktif

hkl Chief Siiperratend^nt of Ediiisatioii be complied with by tj^ Miiii»>
cipalitiee, as directed by him in the famous circulaC) Catholioa wou)d
be anfairly and unjustly dealt with, being compelled to purobfsa
map, charts, globes, etc., etc.> with their own money, whilst their
more fortunate Protestant neighbours would be able to provide them-
selves with the same, with the mony accming from tho Cleigy Reserve
Funds. Now if the {Separate schools in Upper Canada have the same
facilities for providing themselves with maps, charts, globes, etc., etc.f
a« the Common schools, they owe no thanks to the Chief Superintend
dent of Education. But this is not the question. The point at issue is
hot whether they have now the same lacilities as Protestants for the
purchase of the said school apparatus, but whether Xheytoould hive
these facilities, were the funds, or any portion of the funds, accruing
from the Clergjr resierves to be applied to Protestant schools and
Protestant libraries. Should Dr. Ryerson's suggestions be complied
with, the Common Protestant schools and Protestant libraries ooold
alone participate in the advantages of such an appropriation*, In his
first communication to the public, our unscrupulous Chief Superinten.
dent of Education thought to throw dust in the eyes of his readers by
changing the question, and then charging me with having said what I
did not say. His answer is but a paltry quibble, unworthy of %n
Offit'ial, bijt in perfect kc^^ping with his characteristic tergiversation.: <^'
My worthy antagonist, with the view to insinuate the unpopularity
of cur Separate Schools^ says: '^ There are upwaids of three hundred
and fifty townships in Upper Canada in which there is not a singlf*
Separate Schtxyi siithough the Roman Catholics are numerous in many
of them." I thank his Reverence for this admission. Truth, at iast^
oozes out. The fact thus recorded by Dr. Ryerson, carries along with it
a crushing weight against our law of Separate Schools,^ as is at present
stands. How long have we not been compiauiingof tyrannical clausbt
and oppressive restrictions thrown in our way, in establishiiug Separate
Schools ?— I am glad to see that the violent enemy of freedmn of ed-
ucation, the bitter assailant of our rights, is compelled, at length, to ad-
mit the correctness of our grievances, though his admission is nither
anunwitty one. The plam matterof lact is, that if in several Townships,
we have none or few Separate Schools, it is because Catholics meet
with insurmountable obstacles and ditliculties, when they attempt to es-
tablish them. The fetters and shackles with which our Separate School
Law is hampered, are the sole reason of their scarcity, fiut, in Toronto
where our Separate Schools do exist, how many Catholic children attend
the Common Schools ? Would Dr. Ryerson be kind enough to give
some information to the public on tlie subject ? Has he a dozen or half
a dozen Catholic children frequenting his pet Common Schools ? I
will inform him, en p^utmnt, that, ourXbristlan Brothers alone have, at
this moment, near eight hundred boys attending their Schools. Wwe 2
not apprehensive of hurting the Doctor's feelings, I would tell him
plainly, that wherever and whenever his State Schools become pr^li-
cally known, the good sense of the people shrinks from them aa it
public nuisance. , » ,

Before I dismiss Dr. Ryerson and his miserable quibbles, I may bis
permitted to say that no one is imposed upon by his ridiculoiMiHid uomr
oattic piofetfBion of Loyalty, which appeared in his 60-caKi^ lep^jp

lOD

■

th« Biilifp of London, on the 98Ch nti. ** My FIstfbrm,'* thonU the
Methodist Minister, '* is the hearts of Canadian people for Canada."
** The rights of Canadians without preference, to the protection and en-*
joymont of their own religious teaching." Hypocrite son of Wesley i
say rather, " My Platform is my bread and butter. My Platform is the
money of the people, which I put in my pocket — My Platform is my
place, my larse goTernment salary and all the pleasant perquisites of
office— Behold my Platform ! ( !"

Were the Chief Superintendent of Education in earnest when he as-
serts, that his platform is the "rishtdof Canadians, without prejudice,
to the protection and enjoyment uf their own religious teaching," most
cheerfully would we subscribe to it. These are the rights we claim,
we ask no more. We ask them not alone for ouretelves, but for all, for
all denominations. — members of the Church of England, Methodistst,
Presbyterians, Baptists, Christians of eveiy name and shade. The
present bill which guarantees to us Separate Schools, was a Denom-
inational one in its original form, and so framed as to secure to all de-
nominations the privilege of establi'^hing Separate Schools if they chose
to have them. At the mstisation of Dr. Ryerson, its Denominational
character was struck off, and contined to Catholics only, lest the Com-
ninn Sohool System should suffer from Conflict with its rival sister, the
l^parate iSchool System. Thus ihe Chief Superintendent of Education,
at the last Session of the Parliament in Quebec, deprived his fellow
Christians of the Protestant persuasion, of the rights and privileges
which it was the earnest desire of Catholics to extend to all without pre-
judice or exclusion. The wily Chief of Education was well aware that
to grant the privilege to all denominations of establishing schctls to
their own liking and predilection, would seal the fate of his darling sys-
tem but lately imfiorted from Yankee land. He knew, moreover,
that by confining it to Catholics only, it would render it unpopular.
Such were the motives which actuated the^^at Patriot of trie Ed-
ucation Office, when he suggested through his friends, to restrict the
law for Separate Schools to Catholics and Colored people only.

I may, however, assure my fiiend at the head of the Educational
Department, that all his pious frauds and interested suggestions will
not serve him much longer. The days of the Common ^hool Sysiem
are numbered. Its dissolution is only a question of time. In the di-
vided state of Christianity in Canada we cannot have common Schools,
common libraries. These institutions are not Canadiac ; they are not
of Canadian growth. They are not adapted to Canadian tastes and
wants. They are n foreiff't element, imported in our midst but a few
years since, and forced upon our necks by an oppressive and tyran-
nical legislation, at the requeo^of an UMscrupulous politician. Public
<^inion has already solved the great difficulty, and cut the / <£'id f/ot'
dis'; The truly christian and liberal author of the pamphlet styled ;
'** Does the Common School Sysitem of the United States prevent
~0lrime V exclaims ; " Let every deuomination organize its own schools,
employ teachers of its own faith, and daily adniit its own clergymen
to superintend and assist in the religious part of the training.'' A
denominational law, with the motto; ** Protection to all — favor to none,"
luthonsing all religious bodies rec(»gnized by the State, to establish
' -their Own echoojsy without interf^eoce on the part of the

Its the

nada."
ndoD"
ejiley I
. is the
is my
ites of

101

dictator of the Education Oflico,— is the only possible solution to the
great problem which now perjilexes our le^siators and politicians, —
couvuises our country with pamful dissensions and discord. Such a
measure will restore peace and harmony amon^ the citizens of the
same community, and i^ivu satisfaction to all those whose pecuniary
interest is not connected with the ^reat impodition of the Common
School System. Then shall emulation be excited among the differ-
ent denoniinations ; then shall the daily attendance of pupils in
schools be increased to ten times its present average. Then, in tine,
shall we behold a promisi^iff y^tu, a moral generation* I am happy to
see that the above views, already expressed by me in a former com*
munication, meet the full concurrence of the Right Reverend Doctor
Pinsoneault, Bishop of London. In a letter lately addressed tome
through the columns of The Leader ^ His Lord8hij|> says ; ''Let the de-
nominational system be introduced, without showing favor to any par*
ticular creed, but allowin<; all denominations to have their own schools,
according to their respective views ; Government grants being given ia

froportion to the relative number of children trequenting such schools."
will add, en pcuaanty that Catholics will never submit to the Com**
mon School System. The members of the Church of England are heart-
ily disgusted with it. A large proportion of the Church of Scotland*

^ians without preference, to the protection and enjoyments of their
own religious teaching." Come forward great Canadian patriot,
join with us in sustaining, instead of oj^xising our demands and
thvrarting the natural enjoyroeut of onr most sacred privileges.
Conie and assist us, and all who share our views, in obtaining what we
ask,; not for ourselves only, but for all, yi;e : Denominational Schools,
Free Schools without intolerable interference and odious restrictions.
Then your bombastic profession of liberality will be a reality, instead of
a sham imposition.

In conclusion, I beg to submit whether the time has not arrived for
Dr. Ryerson to descend from a station for which he has proved himself
. utterly unfit. The Chief Superintendent of Education is a public official,
a servant of the people, of Catholics as well as Protestants, From both
he receives the wages, which make him insolent, and unsuiTerable. For-
getful of the dignity of his office and of his responsible duty, for many
years he has been incessant in his attacks against the Catholic nie-
rarchy,the Catholic priesthood, the Catholic church at large, Catholic
nations, and every thing Catholic. The scurrility ol his abuse has grown
more insufferable, in proportion as it has been permitted to go unre-
buked. His insulting diatribes have been multiplied beyond the power
of endurance. Are we, let me ask all sensible men, are we to be tran»>
pled upon without hope of redress, because we have been forbearing t
I am sure that I express the sentiments of all Catholics, and aU lib^r^
men of every denomination, when I savthe time has come to petition the
Government for the dismissal of this oDnoxious Official. As an avowed
enemy of Catholics and Catholicity he is evidently unfitjo hold an of-
jRce which requires the greatest impartiality and liberilitj. He hu
Ung ainoe fotfoited t^ir cenladenoe ^d symi^th^. I^iihii^ tial#ft«

Itis

i1>« Chii^of Edneatidn to retire once more to tdi fi^nner b^evj^tioit,

▼iE>— to j^tHehpf^ and " Camp jMeetifiAB.'*

Siiiph. la tbe ettneit wiah of all aeniuble men aiid particulate of tlio

nbebnoer. _Lj_.i_i^j.^

M--' 4^- -^u 4AM '• ^- BWtrttKE.

Toronto, MarcB 9, 18277.

tkW rtSRAHCHT OF CANADA AND DR. RYBMOIV.

"^BOU TBI OaTHOUO ClTIZtN, "t^AtiCU 10TH, 1867.

Tito ftfl6#in|^ itttoMfltiiig eonrcspondenee haa beei^ blMidod to i^
Iqr ^ Reverend Mr. Bruyere:-^

Loimoir, C. W., 14th Uuth, 185Y.

BstiBiirx> DBAE S»,-r Since my letter of tlie lOth ult, on t^
anbj^ct of yomr late controversy with the Reverend Chief Su|)eirii]t-
jettd^i^ I have rieceived lettera of eongnittilatidn from all parte of the
myiiioe. I talce great pl^iM^iki^ in sending you—AMOngift oth«yi
^thii ^closed extradta which sifflci^iitly speal: for th^mselvM:
Moai wilhngly do I authoriaie jCU U> iiisert them in the trocktiri near

being printed*

, Dr. Kyetson wiH, doubfct^«8y ta^ ffreat pleasure likewise in ac
knowledgin^ the error unddr which be was laboring, when he so
ft&tibbXf mnmnieed yon as the donteroptible organ of a small foreign
P^^. The 6f^\^\ 8ti|>|k)irt of th«i entire Biemrcfay 0( the Pforvino^
^ibli^ntiiiltieoiitly arid cbrdiaDy ^ven jrou-^will t^dW tjith thkt tli<l
epiiv^ of ^diidotti of £diicatioti S more dimply rboted iii ihesdil ot
Ciuada ihikii he evidently was aware

Af for his innocent boasting — when making hiswbutd-bedigiii^ed
rfi$re>t— H^^ recalled to my memory a passage 6f thi^ iMim )^t^
^Qe&tg. IV.] thus translated by Dryden : —

^* Jinu^ veary Protiu»,fiom the briny *Wrt>Wi
V JBeiired for aiutteir (6 U$ i^dnted tarn ;
'^^ j^it Jinny jftiScks dSo*it their shfpp&d p^
** And rolling round Atm^ spirt tj^ bitter teaj*

. Couruyfif ihereford, ReV, dear Sir, yon miy now cbniSder th^ god-
less system as ^irly exploded. Th^ bigotrjr of the cpiiventicle dUXir
not peeArail mucli longer against the sober judgment of the gre^
i|gia}(ontj|r of the ciommmiity. Common sense is stronger than bigotry :
Alwy * ^^^ reiotioik is commenced *; a little while more^ it must
itai tobtt^4^«ll fomtfal, und by its overwhelminginfliknee assert the
"^ "'^IJI off J(ilti$eind bf c6ii6i<etib« in brealdng ariund^r tbii» fett«» ni
''*'■' mi 'm iioW: ^ 6ti^iti#li8^ ikitiiia ut^. I^ tti hope, mi^

tbi^, tnUkm «f Eduditioii will U|m)6Mim6dl (lk/«^« M^yikl» |j^,
^BM'#itfNi«n fill oVertiftts noble Provine*.

B^licfve me, Rev. dear Sir,

lloit affectionately your*t io Cbria^ x .

tiDOtPHB,

l!U)ir* ikf. S(ru7ere,St, Mioheal^s Palace, Toronto.

Letter from His Grace the Attfthbiskopi of Qnebtec, and their Lord-
bhips the ^iabop of Three Kivers, and the Coadjutor Bishop of
Quebec.

Aiclie^eche of Qiiebdb, 10th IkTarch, lt^7.

Mr Lord, — We hasten to express to ycir Lordship the heartfelt
ci^tiafaption ivith vvhich we behold your present e^rtions tqwanlaf^-
iMinihg, for the Cath'oJics^ of Upper Canada, the enjoyment of their
inalienable rights of having free schools for their children.

Yo4t aM upheld in your etid^^aiors by the teachings of Sovereign
|^9n.t(iff9«^a, decree vf ijio fir^t Provincial Council of Qaebeo, an4 the ex-
Ijpa^Ie of the Bisliops of the whole worlds who are uDani^ap^a inpvg*
|Ql(^iming that mixed schoW are <lange(ou^, and that Qathqlica siio)i)4
Qt^iect nothing |n securing for their childreu a religious tpgahftr
W^h |t (iecul^r education. Indeed, it constituiea a r^g^t no lata fi|-
c'red^ for Catholics than tiiat of bringing .up their children in <^eir
riil^^6n^an'd to r^fd^ it td them is to stri^^ at the religious tidily
«iBi^d hf the CoistitUtioti to all the inhabitants of Canada. ' , , .

We cannot, therefore, but most cordially concur with the appeilu
which you make that this all-important right may not any longer
remain a dead letter on the pages of our Legislation.

We have the honor to be, My Lord,

Your most devoted Brothers in Christ, t

•^^ t P. F., Archbishop of Quebe9.

f Thomas, Bp. of Th^ed Kivti^
t C.F., Bishop of Tloa.

Bight Kev. Br. Pinaoneault, Bidiop of rL(£»4op, < W.

Fronl Hit^Ldrdiiiip ihe Bidhop of MomtrenU - ' M ;

' „ , V «, i / Bveche of JJontfeal, Marct lOth, iftsV. /
' Tl(z^om»,-rpf have, loiig mm, fead fgm .letter p{J3B»l^
Qli., jia>l|ja^ lite X««K^er, in whi<h Itfur £«lid^ oo«fP^t«liMB

104

the Bey. Mr. Bniyero for the enersy and skiU with which he has ad-
vocated freedom of Education. I r«gre|t thai up to the plKKs^nt day
I have been prevented from writing to you on this subject as I should
have wifthed ; but as i am told that the Hev. Mr. Bruyere's pamphlet
is nearly ready, I hasten to ans'ireyou that I roost heartily concur with
the contents of your letter. Indeed, it would grieve me much to miss
this opportunity of expressing to you my very great sympathy for
the cause which you so boldly sustaia, i^nd with wbi9h the destiny
of the Catholic youth in Upper Canada is so intimately connected.

X remain, with the greatest esteem,
. Your Brother in Christ,

' -iLi y

i;/jj-.l

f lo.. Bishop of Mdhtre'at^

Right Rev. Dr. rinsoneault, Bishop of London, C. W.

^I-^^i :iv.-;i M^. • . • ' "''^~* •

fl^'' Bis Lordship Bishop Phdan, Adm. of ih4 Diocese oi

mgston,

i ,i , . Kingston, 6th March, 186'Jr.

DftAR Lord Bishop. — ^I have the honor to infprm you that 1
most cordially concur with your Lordship On the subject of your
^letter to the Rev. Mr. Bruyeie, and therefore shall lose no time
^n ^iciting the co-operation of the Clergy and Laity, under my
jurisdiction in this Diocese, to forward your views on the same.

Hdpipg that the publication in Pamphlet form of the letters
ani currespondence you refer to, will contribute >uuch to favor the
freedom of l^ducation 'it. this Province,

.:/< I have the honor to be, dear Lord,

Your most devoted Brother in Christ,

t PATRICK,

Bishop of Carrha, Adm. Ap.

. Right Rev. Dr. Pinsoneault, Bishop of London, 0. W.

From His Lordship the Bishop of Bytown.

Bytown, Feb. 25th, 1867.
My LorDj — ^In perusing the columns of the Leader of the 20th
ult., I read the letter addressed by you to the J? ev. Mr. Bruyere,
and I must say that I agree most cordially Tvith the sentiments
expressed therein. Allow me also to add that, after having care-
taiy mA it, together with the letters of a ** Protestant" to the

105

HoBortble Attortiey-General M«od(^a]d^ aisd especially tbose ad-
dressed by the heverend lilr. Bruyere to Dr. Byerson — letten
repletjO .with moderatioD, good sense and force — I remain perfect-
ly convinced thnt the ProteslantD, the great majority of woom I
like tojook upon (>s Just and liberal, ash.imed at seeing the Catholics
thu3. pppres^ed by an almost impracticable law, will themfc.elve9
de^iandof the Ministry and of the Parliament to free them fn>m the
•hackjes of a law introduced by stealth and under false pretences
by the enemies of educatiop apd uf Catholicity. I also most con-
fidently hope, that, since Government has just established a If br-
idal School in Lower Canada for the specitrt use of the Protes-
tants and of thc^ speaking the Englisli language, it will alsd
feel the necessity of showing itself equally just towards the French
Canadians and Catholi&s residing in the Upfer Province, by es-
tablishing a J^ortnal School where the French language would be
principally taught, and where competent teachers might receive
instruction — since the present ones are far from posssessing the
confidence of the immense majority of the Catholics.

I have the honor to remain My Iiord, your Lordship's most
devoted Brother in J. C.

t EUGENE,

Bishop of Bytown,

To His Lordship the Bishop of London, C. W.

From His Lordship Bishop La Rocque, Coadj. of the Bishop of

Montreal, and Administrator of the Diocese of St. Hyacinthe.

. Eveche of St. Hyacinthe, Feb. 24th, 1857.

Very Dear Lord, — When readingyour Lordship's letter of con-
gratulation to the Rev. Mr. Bruyere of the 10th inst, and published
in the Leader^ I could feel rising up in me that secret feeling which
naturally springa up in perusing a wricing which is so congenial to one's
own views and sentiments, that one becomes entirely preposessed by
it, and would feel proud of its authorship .

I hasten, therefore, to congratulate your Lordship most cordially
upon the excellent idea which you have had of upholding Mr. Bruyere
in the struggle which he has just sustained in behalf of freedom of
Education. Having been unable to take the initiative with the val-
orous champion of those rights for \» hich our Brothers of western
Canada are struggling, I can at least declare that you* Lordships let-
ter most faithfully exhibits my own views and sentiments upon the
right advocated therein. This mark of sympathy is still far beneath
what is due to the Rev. Mr, Bruyere for the services rendered by him

. m

tlEtf Cktholic youth <>f Upper Cfttiida h intimately contidetod.

I f«el gJti!tAt]j pleasied that yoti should haVe m HiMf ^ftimHA^
tour indignation a(t the vncotirteoUff Htnguajgei ^hich Dr. ByeN
«6^ thought fit to malte use of, i^ben spiBakiiig of our \^brilhV
aid energiedo Brother in the %i9copscy, Blflhop d0 Chairbdniielf.
thi« vehei^lSle PrdMe has, as it were, cdnfessM the Paith, if not
at the prfoe' of bis blood, at least by th]6 herdiism cf hia ^al and
penievei^nce in the (stcrse ot ^edom of educaitioh/

His Lprdship the l^ishop of St, Hyacinthe being unsblO ii6
write himself, oegs you to lo^c^ upon my adhesion to your li^t-
ter fA the exact expregsion of ^is own sentimentt,

. Your raoat affsctioaatf brother iu Christy

W''''

■^ fJOSKi^H, Bishop of Ofd^nH

Ij^nmikiof 6t i^t Diotese of St. Hjraeiiithe,

To His Lordship, .
]|ight Rev. Dr, Pinsoneault.^

Bidiop of London, 0, W.

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EEY. J. M. BBUYERFS PARTING WOED TO

THE PUBUO.

WiUi tlie khctvB Docunaents I beg toclon Um eontmveny betlvroMk
llbe Chi^f Superinteiiddnt of fiducatioii and myself; Th«i principto
«f retipious and fru eduoatim fatt b6«n wantonly aufailed by mif
antagonist tUrouglkoiit th« controvetsy. In bebalf of freedoni of
<iduoat{on grotlnded on religion — againist State Bchoolism, I faavo raited
my feeble v6i6e. This Voice, insignifidint though it be, has been
M^hoed by the wholo Hierarohy in both Canad&S. In the sacred
name of justice and equity, both Pastors and flock proclaim freedom
of eduMtitm as welt as freedom of religion. We demand these
rights not alone for ourselves, but for all— for ifll I^eneiminations ;
members of the Church of England, Methodists, Presbyterians,
Baptists, Christians of every name and shade. " Protection to all—
fevor to none," is our motto.

i^gainst the unnatural claims of an oppressive State schoolism
upheld by Dr. Ryerson, I have appealed to an impartial and
benevolent Public, through the Press in Canada. With the facts
and arguments now laid before it, I hope our common Judge,
will be able to form a correct estimate of the respective merit of
both systems, viz: — Free schools versus State schools — ^Education
having Religion for its basis, versus education excluding all religion
— the right of the parent f 6 edticate fiis child as he pleases, versus
the claims of the State to snatch the child from the parentis arms
in order to confide it to the mercy of the law.

All Christian and civilized nations stand on the side of Free and
Religious Education. Against it the Chief Superintendent of
Education has nothing to oppose but the practice and antecedents
of pagan Lacedoemon. Shall Heathenism prevail over Christianity;
State oppression over parental rights and privileges) Such is our
^ position : such is the question at issue.

For haviog advoeated thesa principlss, I hars baaa aallad arify

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