,!.^*0j. •^ * * ^ iia .AlJi.5.... Author Title Imprint. 16 — 4r37&-2 0«»0 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS D0QD651D3'^a TO THE ^^Ai m^i BY itJNDRY INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF LEBANON MADISON COUNTY. CONTAINING , i\ Defence o? i\\e CowstkuUow of this State^ IN A VIEW OF THE LANS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW YORK STATE TRACT SOCIETY AND JOHN V, N. YAlES. ESQ. SEC . , RETARY OF STATE AND ACTING SUPERINTEN- I DENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS, * "■ WITH AW IN CONTINUATION OF THE SUBJECT, AND ^<» ALSO \e Eepovt of t\\e Committee ott LUevatuve \\\ t\ie Sciaate, upou tVie MemoviaV, kc. AND C0KCL\]B13VG KE^ailKS, HAMILTON, N. Y. 5BIKTED BV J. p. VAMSICE, &• CO, 1826, V To the Public, It was intended that t\ie following documents should have been laid before the people last spring ; but the delay has been unavoidable, owing to the interference of individual concerns with the leisure which the com- mittee found necessary to prepare a second copy for the press. But our subject is not the matter of a moment— it is not co.)fii.ed to this year or the next. The most essential facts should not soon be forgotten, and the principles which the facts illustrate', will endure and apply, while a shred is left upon the standard of American Freedom. Republicans of eve- ry class— who are worthy of the name ;— we request an attentive pe- rusal. Lebanon, DecembiTj 182& Presented in Senate, Jan. 31, 1825, To t\\e Honourable the Sewale and ilssemUy of t\ie. Stale o? Kew-^ork. The memorial ofthe undersigned, inhabitants of the town of Lebanonj Kesfectfully Represents — That certain uocuments relating to common schools were, in the months of July and August last transmitted to the people of this state, through the officers of their common schools by John V. N. Yates, Esq. Secretary of State and acting Superintendent of Common Schools ; which documents, upon due examination, your memorialists are alarmed to find, highly dangerous in their nature and tendency, and, as they con» ceive, plaiidy repugnant to the constitution of this state. The documents referred to. are 1st, A Circular (maiked A) tlated Albany July 30, 1824, and addressed to " CoQi» uiJssioners, Inspt ctor« and Tri!\ire\V'\s.vprfmmms (or the sclio'ars, by selling tickets of admission to the spectators at Ce!fc>bratioiJs~and an advertisement of the Tract Society, briefly stating, that f Ae^ expect to fiirnish the tracts and other reward book;; tor the use of the schools, at cer- tain prices. 2d. A "Circular" (maiked B) dated Albany August 1, 1824, addressed " to the Lomniisijioiiers, Inspectors, Tiiistees and Teachers of Common Schools, and to the Town Clerks and District Clerks throughout t!ie State." The object of this circular is to transmit " tlie afcompanying Instructions for establishing Common School Celcbra- tioiis i,i the several towns in this htate ;" — to recommend the Flan of Celebrations and tontiiine liis adricfi li; A the Tracts be used in the schools and at these Celebrations as ]ircmlums for srhouir'^hip and behaviour ; and also to propose several methods of raising nioiiey to p'.irciiasej'VY/mM.'ns au-.i rcrcard looks. 3d. '* Instructions lor csiabiishiug Common Schnol Celebrations" accompanying the last mentioned Circuiai-, and bearing the same ((ate. (Marked C) Tiu'se Circulars aiin Justrucl ions are ail signed " J. V. N. Yates Acting Swperin tendnif of Common Schools," and the Circulars are headed officially *' State op N£\v-Yoi:k, Vecretauy's Office," A copy of each said Circulars, lustructions and Tract is herewith respectfully j)if'seiUed. These communications appear to your memorialists to infringe two 'Mitincl sections ofthe constitution. iNt. The " iNsiin'titoNs'' of (ho ncting vSupriiiiloiHtoiit, " (or rstaK«l lisliii)}^ cominoii srli(»i>l rj'NilMalions,'' «i)iiliun, us wr liiiuililv com cn r a ls( SnMion o(" (lie Isl Ailit'lc of the ("oiisdiiilion wliioli ii'iul . (liUH, "The l«;j>is|a(ivo power of (Ins s(;ilt', shall be v«;3(fii ill n Sfiiutr iind an Asst'iiilily." I Yiuir iiirmonHhsIs pirleiul not to he terhnionl cxpoiiniJcrs of Inw ; — I yrl wv \ivi>, \vi\\v (o oIjscivo, (hii( (ho coiistilutioii uikI laws siiv aiUlrivssod I to tjverv »|i»(«s of (Vcnin'ij, iiml wo iiitiy surtiv !)»' pcnniUotl (o t-xprcsw oni" opinions as (o llu' (nir intention and nnMnini^ — th(> common ^tensv nf I( ap|wi| liv llm ("onstitntion in the phrasf, '• lejjslative pow . er,'^ wo aiT r.itioMiilly l<> iimltMNtand (host* orisrjnnl rtihs nf at/mn, (/ (rettay st itiil<-s\ to which iin'U('ilia(oly, nndor \\w oonstilntioii, rvery oi- firor •!' govornintiiit is to look (or >i[tiiclain'o ami (hrcction in tluMJiilies of l»H oflicc, luitl whifh, hoiiig coiisisli>iit with (he »'oiistiliitit>n, he is honul io olir\ , - Thf St'iiato and Assnnhly i'(institntf the exclusive organ for ostahlis! lishin;; thest; rules. NVithont inipiirin!; how r,irtli(> li>i:isl,iliv(> hoviv may have power to di! 0'.!:H(e su'tordinate powers of hviislation, Y*>'ir lurmoriulists, in relloctiiij; \ipon (Ills intrii ale siih|eet would re>;pectl\illy oU^M've, that one princi- ple appears to he clear. — Cut the power of m ik it'i; t»risfinnl r!i!<'t >/"(( tion anil the pover of txecnt'itjii thfin ire distinct powers, not u1Iv')w«mI U- our eonstitiitiou to exist at once in the saint; oflice ; that however an ev ofiitive or judicial olKeer inay not Iind every thing in a law, which tu may think neces^iiiary to rcMidtM* the law complete, vet he has no rijjht to li»ikt> the additional piovisions. — "Pijo sacred powers of leifislation hc- loni; to tlu> Senate and \ssi>in'»ly iilono, and although they may, tluf»n_u:h ovtM'si.'jit or niadvertuiii-e, or t>ven intentionally tleleij;ate to hrn unliai ted and discretion.n'V powc^r ; yet, in nsin^ tint po\v«M", even for henrii rial purposes, A*" can never he tht> eonstitntional IV uni»r of or*i>oiu/ /<;., TUere is a lioiii ht>yond which, thon^h elotheil with the most discretion arv powers, ho can neve»r pas^. — and (hut Innit la, tht most plain and «: ul hefort) him. This intent and meanini!; of the law must, in mir linmhle opniion, he the int ution and infiinini^ of the Jrit-'nt-rs thfmstU'i}!, and cannot inchulo any rnle t)r cointlnutntn which eonhl not have h:«en known to them, or ivitliin their reach or consiih>ration at the timt^ o( making the Ihw ; — »nd iu> ntw fintutr could ever l*e implanted upon the law atferwards, with- out their tituietion or eoiiiient. This principle app«ars to ytnir metnoriahsts to he plainly recos;niy.ed in the secmid Sectnni o{ the ** Act for the snp[>oH of common school>," the example o*" >vhioli we shall sv>.>n have occasion to cite. If we un- thi^tand the , onstitution, the grand I'eatiires of the law must be drawn by the Senate and Assemblv. though the tiner shndus and touchin^s of van «>(i application niay be laid on by the expositor. Vour uwinoriaiisls now beii lo:tvo io Uiiu to thc^i.i Instructtous, tlm. chaructor of which, in our humble view, ;\m>o:u-s thus : — The subject nuUttM' of (he lu-itruotions eoiild not h:ivo been known to the fmivuMs o\ tho law. The phia appcnrs to have ori|;lnj\(eil withiu a year with tho Rev. Dr. I'rouiU'it of Salem ; — to have been communiea- ttul bv him lo the New- York State Tract Society ; — by them, with high jTeommeudations, to the aotiiii; sujuM-intendent of common schools, and by lum pronuil;iated to the people as Aire, in the manner bet'ore us. 'I'hev eotUain as leading, as original anil as pi eminent rules ol aetion, as the *' Aet for the support o( eommen schools," and some ot them contain nuM-e distinct features of /><:»' than many |)rovisions of real statute^ Thev establish a new kind o( school districts lor special purposes. — They constitute a new boaal of oftkei-s for special purposes. They give new powers to the commissionei's. They give new powers tc the inspec- tors. They impose new duties npon the town tdeiks. They impose new duties upon the district clerks. They impose new and special du- ties upon the teachers, in order to make them subordinate to the purpo- ses of these new districts. Where a district lies in two or more towns, thev protend to dispense the privilege of choice to the trustees, as to whicl) of the new districta they will belong. These instructions are not, in our humble view, subordinate applicn* tions of the law. They are not '* necessary and proper''' lor carrying .that law intoetlect. If adnnssible. they constitute one o( (hose ** plans or the better organization oi' comnuni schools,'' eontemplateil in the Od Settion of (he Act, whieh the superin(eni.lei\t is rtnpiired ** to dt;;est and jM-epare and report to the legislature'' tor their deliberation and deeision. \ our memorialists are ready to admit, that to us, the o8th Section ot the '* .Vet for the support of Common Schools," appears to be somewhat indcttnite and obscure as to the extent of power intended to be delegated to the superintendent, relative to Insinicttons, — lie is there directed, with other duties, to cause " Sneh instructjons as shall be thought necessary and proper for the better government anil organization of connnon >chools, to be printed, publisheil aiul distributed among the several school distriets in this state in sueh manner as he shall deem proj)er," Whether, in the expression, '* shall be thought nfcessan/ and proper,''^ an obscurity was in- tended, to operate as a check upon the power of the superintendent, your memorialists confess themselves unable to determine : — But in (ho 'id Section, there aie abundant checks, which in our humble opinion, leave the acting superintendent in this case, wholly without excuse for this ex- ercise of arbitrary power. — 'I'here, his duty is plainly eertineil to certain limits; — There, he is directed to ''digest and jMepare and rtf^orl to the Itgislature plans for the better oj-gtmiiication of common schools,',? — and against,. it is made his duty '' to perloin) nil such services rela-* tive to the wellurc of common schools, ai? he shall be dimted er- form.^'^ It is idle lor the acting Superintendert lo preh^nd that the?e instruc- tions were ''necessary s»d proper" to luUilthe uiovijions o\ the aet.- - There is in ourluimbic opinion, no 3uch iieceisity or propnet}'.— We mfght observe, upon the first article o( his Instrnctions. that the farthest territori- .1! limits of organization prescribed by the act, are those of school distnr.t& to be formed and regulated as the laro directs, and there is not the mostdis- aiit hint in the act, that a sciioiar is ever required or even invited to pass the hmits of his own district. Similar remarks might be made upon the rest of his Instructions. It appears to yoar memoriaiisis, that the actinscSnperintendent has, from the supposition that his powers are undefined, assumed the rij^ht of making amf.'rti'//.'M'n/5 to the act. — If we admit this principle of innovation, there is, in our humbie opinion, no difference between -making laws and expounding them. The ist Section of the Constitution is a mere shadow. Whatever is tyranny or usurpation in the view of common sense, must f;urely be so in the view of our excellent constitution, which evidently means to guard aiiainst improper legislation in avevy shape. To suppose, even that the Sen 1 to and Assembly themselves can delegate their power cf legislation, or of making nrru or original rules of action, to any indi- vidual whatever, is, in our humble view, revolting to the most plain dic- tates of reason and reilsiction. — Tliis principle of loose construction is without bounds- -it not only gives power to an individual to make laws, but it gives power to delegate power to others to make laws at discretion : it would make our executive list, from the Governor to the pathmaster, a mere gradation of despots : — admitting for a mornent, this monstrous latitude, — our '• Constitution," to use the style of the learned Mnshall, the pride and ornament of our national court, '' would he nothing but a spleadi-d bauble; — niagniticent indeed to look at, but totally unfit for use." Surely the acting Superintendent will not tell us, that he only meant to 5j;ive advice. The terms of power and direct cgmmand, so free- ly dealt out upon the face of these Instructions, leave no doubt ta your memorialists as to their meaning and intention. That he inten- ded to have tiiem received throughout the state as Laiu, or obligatory upon all those to whom his attending circular was directed, cannot be de- nied. There is a remiining trait on this singular production, which your Yr^emoriaiists are surprised to see drawn by the hand of so polished and enlightened a character as the Secretary of this State and acting Superin- tencieiit of Comnmn Schools — ought to be. It is found in the .Vo/e ap- peiidcd to his Instructions, where he tells us, " that he expects a prompt andfaiilifnl confpl'ance witli tiiem, and hopes to hear of no complnmts ij the conlrar:p''—iiud intimates at the same time, his power of deciding on ,M'PEAr,, in cape his instructions are disregarded. We would here re- spectfully ask,— Did tlic framers of the amendment to the •" Act for the ■siipport of common schools" (passed April 1822,) ever intend to give that superintendent or any other the povi'er of deciding on appeals rela- ting merely to his discretionary instructions ? To suppose liim possessed af Ibis power, would be. in our humble OFJinion, to condense the who!-; Hct iuto this monstrous clause, that the acting Superintendent shal»j- BE THE' SOLE LEGISLATOR /INU Sui'REME JuDGE OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM^ I'his peremptory language of the Siiperinteodeut, attached to such in- structions, in the very outset, must, in our humble view, be far from ex- citing, either complacency or respect, in the breasts of intelligent free- men. In closing this division of our unpleasant subject, your memorialists cannot but pause a moment, to compare the Instructions before us, with those of Gideon Hawley Esq, tlie state Superintendent of Common Schools, published in 1819 ; — to contrast, in short, the vaporing and dogmatic feat- ures of the one, with the valuable and interesting matter, and modest and unassuming character of the other. Your memorialists beg leave to consider the point established, that in issuing these Instructions, the acting Superintendent has not only disregarded, but directly violated the 1st Section of the 1st Article of the Constitution. 2dly. We consider all these circulars and instructions as clearly oppo- sed to the 3d Section of the 7 th Article of the Constitution, in their spirit and details. The acting Superintendent had long since given us his decision as to the general course of studies to be pursued in common schools. We do not pretend to find fault with that decision, or to say that it is imperfect V but from the J^ote attached to his Exposition of the same date, (April 29, 1822.) it might have been rational to expect, that the ""New Instruc- tions" which he proposed " to issue in a short time, as to the course of studies to be pursued, and the books to be used in common schools," would at least have been harmless — that they might perhaps have added to the list, the interesting and increasingly popular study of English Grammar, and an attentive and intelligent perusal ot our state a7id na- tional Constitutions. These, together with tl^je branches of reading, wri- ting, arithmetic and geography, upon which he had decided, -and history and stenography which he had recommended, would have formed a sys- tem of studies, useful and applicable to every class of our citizens, and impartially avoiding, in the exercise of reading, all articles which might disturb the peace of the rising community, — liable to no objections. Little did we expect, after a lapse of two years' deliberation, to find his first official recommendation be&toWed upon those exceptionable things, called Tracts, and we were astonished to find, that the first exercise of his more than questionable authority in the way of Instructions, was ex- clusively appropriated to the establishment of religions exercises, in the common schools of the state. We sayexclusiveli/,, because it is futile to pretend, considering the scattered population oX our country towns, and the unequal advantages for improvement arising from the differences of wealth and situation which frequently exist between various districts iu the same town, and various scholars in the same distiict, that there can be any fair and equitable estimation of the relative merits of the youth- ful competitors; of course, there is little to expect from this system of public Gomparison, but unjust, invidious, and lasting distinctions among 'tile rising generation, unfounded in real merit, and utterly inconsistent with the !-[)irit of our free institutions ; and it can not he pretended, that any material advances in education are to he aiade ut tlie?e celebrations ; it is evident then, that the primary and exclusive objects of the cele- brations are ^oarat^e and re/Z^jowi- »^ec^ But, should a doubt still linger upon your honorable minds, as to the motives of the superintendent, your memorialists would respectfully wish to have it remembered, that those towns, which from any reason whatsoever, have no '•'' church or pub lit place of divine xoorship,'''' are not included in the instructions ; — that m both the hte circulars, the tracts, (which are well knoivn to emanate from certain religious sects or societies) are ojicia/ly recommended for distri- bution at these celebrations as the best pr<'iniurns for scholarship and be- liaviour that could be devi.-^ed ; — that it was not sufficient for the super- intendent to eulogize this plan, by speaking of the " formation of cor- rect moral habits," " moral cultivation" and the tracts furnishing "''food for the h^art f but he enthusiastically calls the whole system •' the cause of God, undone zuhich Prcvidence 7vill surely cons >' crate and pros- per ;''"' and finally, that the supreme attribute of being exalted above all praise, is bestowed upon the Rev. Dr. Alexander Proudfit. a distinguish- ed Presbyterian clergyman, '^ for taking the lead in this benfvolent zoork.^^ Your memorialists here beg leave to drop a word upon the Tracts, so highly sustained by the oficial recommendations of the superintendent. They appear to consist frequently if not mostly of romances, havi'ig lit- tle or no foundation in facts, all bearing a religious character, and often containing an account of some extraordinary or miraculous convt:rsion, generally wrought by the hands of some clergyman or missionary, or by some incident in which the tract society or its friends letaiu a;i appropri- ate share of credit. They are the creatures of that society, which m-iy be easily and cheaply modelled and managed to suit the views of their framers, alternating fictions with passages from the Holy Scriptures, and pathetic exhortations. One hardly needs, in our humble opiu>on. a bet- ter illustration of the character given to these tracts, than a simple peiU' sal of the Tract entitled " The Pensioner and his daughter Janc^'''' dis- tributed by the New-York State Tract Society, througii the hands and ofHcial patronage of the superintendent, as a ''' specimen^'' of the tracts with which they expect to furnish our common schools. In this view of their character and origin, it is evident to your memorialists, that their introduction iiito the com:non schools of the stale u.ider the sanction of the superintendent, is a transaction, pernicious in its nature and tenden» ey, and dangerous in its consequences. While in the spirit of our (vee constitution, your memorialists would never molest tiiose devoted to the personal interests of the clergy, in dis- tributing these religious and romantic tales, and experiments upon the passions, to those who choose to read them, and consider them as pre- cious : — yet the moment we see their authors at the elbow of a public of- ficer, endeavoring to crowd these works or their religious exercises upon us or our children, by the arm of authority ; we feel bound in behalf of ^ounseivcs. and fellow citizens, to apprize the Honorable Sentinels of out aonstilutional rights, that tliey may hail the intruder, and bid him td STAND, Your memoriahsts hunibly conceive, (hat in the whole of these circu- lars and instructions, the acting Superintendent has grossly violated the constitution of this state, by transgressing the 3d. Section of the 7th. Ar- ticle, which is in these words, " The free exercise and enjoyment of re- hgious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed in this state to all mankind ; but the liberty of con- science hereby secured, shall not be so construed, as to excuse .acts of li- centiousness, or to justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of this state." It appears plain to your memorialists, that this Section, like many others in the Constitution, has a t omplele control over every department of the government, and that its evident intention is not only to restram the lates, mandates and decrees of the legislative, executive and judicial classes, but to blot out every discriminal'mg or preferring rr.ltgums feature from every offidal recummcndalioa or other qfficiai conduct of a pubiic of- ficer. — To vary the point of view — Thepowers and imposing charnct< rs cf office belong to the people, and the people de <;>'te those powers and characters, under this express condition, that in using them, there shall he no religious discrimination or preftrence. It has been truly obfe^erved, by a feeling and eloquent statesman,* that "It is on the rock of religious liberty, which lies, as a broad and deep sub- stratum, under the United States of America, that their civil liberties are happily founded." " To dispense and to receive the blessings of an unshackled conscience," is not only the highest privilege of tVeemen. but it is absolutely necessary to the preservation of our individual rights and the permanence of our free institutions. The wise framers of our State Constitution showed, in penning this article, that the map of human na- ture was spread before them ; — that the clashings of religious opinion would exist in a free state, and that to silence these clashings, or to ^\ve power to any sect of the combatants, however numerous, would be to a-* bridge the liberties of a part olConmmnit). They had abundant evidence from the page of history, that persecution, slavery, bloodshed and every crime that could disgrace hum.an nature, had been sancttojied by the prostituted seals of religion, & that the clergy were not linfrequently found in the ranks of oppression, and by their leanung, their counsels and in- trigues, guiding and inspiring the unhallowed conflict with the friends of liberty. Indeed, we can not have language, which more clearly expres- ses a thorough sense of these considerations, than the words of the pre- amble, or reason given in the old constitution, for the article secu» ring religious freedom. " And whereas," say the venerable authors of that instrument, " we are required by the benevolent principles of rational liberty, not only to expel civil tyranny, but also to guard a« gainst that spiritual oppression and intolerance, whenwdh the bigotry and ambition of weak and w> eked priests and princes have scourged nutnk(nd :" ■= — of course, they resolved, that while they excluded public officers ivom * T#ncfe Cose, Esq. — See Edinburg'h Encyclopaedia, YoU 1, page 65^. 2 10 t)eing officially teachers of religion, they would exclude ojficial teachers of religion from hem^ public officers. To apply the case — When John V. N. Yates, Esq. was made Secre- tary of State, the Constitution and his oath required that as Sccrttary, lie: should not be a discriminating or preferring teacher of religion, or in other words, that as Secretary, he should be no teacher of rt- iie constitution very kindly disburdens him of the Secretary's office. Again — Though invested at this time with the Secretary's office, he has an undoubted right, as simply John V. JV. Yates, Esq. a private cil'zen, to "freely speak, write and publish hi* sentiments, on all subjects," including those of religion, yet the moment he applies the seals of office to promote the objects, interests or views of any sect or religious party, under any pretence whatever, he infringes the constitution. Upon this point of so deep concern, your memorialists would respect- fully add one suggestion. — Did the framers of our constitution, in enact- ing the 3d and 4th Sections of the 7th Article, intend to countenance or even tolerate the morrstrous idea, that the clergy, while excluded from opni p'luer, should ever be admitted by any ofiicer of State to the more dangerous station of counsel and adviser, and thus be enabled, by the usurpation of indirect authority, to produce all those paraliz.ng effects upon our freedom, which their direct power might have established, and which the articles in question were evidently framed to prevent ? In vain will the SuperintendeiH urge, that, in officially distributing tracts, and in attempting to delegate power to the Commissioners and Inspectors of common schools '* for establishing religious exercises,'''' at their discretion, he acted without discrimination or preference. Upon no ground can this position be defended, but by supposing that the Com- missioners and Inspectors of Common Schools were capable of selecting, an indiscriminale and impartial religion — an absurdity in its very terms. The only alternative then would be, to establish a hydra of oppression — a system of petty religious tyrannies, in every town of the state. Did your memorialists say, every town ? — No — The instructions only apply to " each ioxon containing a church or public place of divine worship.''^ How will the Superintendent escape th^s charge of partiality ? Will he tell us that he meant town houses, county houses, or other large commo- dious buildings ? flis words imply no such thing. The most natural meaning then must be, in our humble conception, to confine the celebra- tions to each town only, which has some clergyman to superintend and tlirect the morals and religious opinions of the children. In reading these Instructions, one would naturally suppose, that the Superintendent in his zeal, had actually mistaken the Constitution of Massachusetts, for the fre« and enlightened Charter of New- York. But, considering the apparent object and pernicious tendency of these circulars and instructions, we are happy to find upon their ve- ry faces, abundant evidence of their partiality. Do not the Tracts emanate from a particular Religious Society or party ? Are they not cal- u ijukted to increase the votaries, to enlarge the interests and to promote the views of that party ? Can that officer pretend, that he is impartialj in selecting a Presbyterian Doctor of Divinity, as his best adviser in the acts of State ? We ask no more proofs o^ hh partiality : — But we would respectfully add one question. — Is it just, — is it consistent, — is it becom- ing the Secretary of this State, to take into his official cabinet a man, whom our Constitution wisely excludes from civil office ;- -to use the pen of the people to exalt him to the heavens ; — to accept without re- serve his plans and recommendations, objectionable and suspicious in their chsiracter and origin ; — to puflf them before the intelligent citizens of a free state, and exclaim, in the arrogated language of unauthorized pow- er, " Go ye and do likewise .^" Your memorialists vvould now beg leave to advert to the specious pre-= tences for these unconstitutional and arbitrary measures. These preten- ces are in various forms. The zealous Secretary has not yet informed us respecting the '• incal- culably great benefits" that are to "result" from these celebrations and tracts : — neither has he detailed to us the particular advantages of the parade at Salem. The jnquiring minds of a discerning people will not be saticfied with his dogma, that we " need not doubt its utility or success." One specious argument is drawn from the beneficial effects of celebra- tions in colleges and academies. But to apply the principle, " other things being equal" — to render the comparison complete, we must sup- pose, on the one hand, the scholars of these colleges and academies to be thrown into the same diversified condition of unequal situations and advantages for improvement, with the members of common schools, and on the other hand, we must confine each common school celebration to one district alone. Upon the Superintendent's, or rather Dr. Proudfit's plan, the impossibility of a fair comparison is seen at once. It is with pain, that your memorialists discover in these documents, a strange perversion of language. The expressions, " moral cultivation," " sacred duties," " benevolent cause" and " promotion of virtue," are dealt out with an unreserved hand, as if they could justify this unright- eous preparation for an Established Religion, How far the zeal of a civil officer in " the cause of God,'- in " the formation of correct mor- al habits" and " the encouragement of virtue," is consistent with his forgetting that sacred obligation which binds him to the constitution of his country, we can not but leave to the unbiassed conscience to determine. Such wild notions of morality and virtue may well suit the mind of a big- otted Ferdinand ; but to find them harbored for a moment, by a distin- guished officer of an enlightened republic, is astonishing indeed! The free investigation of this subject presents many considerations which we would willingly avoid. But an attachment to our beloved Con- stitution, and a sense of imperious duty to ourselves and to posterity, require, that while we treat all those concerned with a becoming deco- rum, we should use the most unhesitating frankness in the discussion of our common interests. Tar be it from voiir mcmoriali?!* (o pro?ont to vour ho.Moiiible ))ocfv declaiiaii disscnlion? ; — lo disttir'o (he temts, or (>j)i>03(: the people of any denorniiiatior) whatsoever. We are of various sects arui denominations oyff'elves, and however we miy dilFer in reiiu'iuiit: profe^jiions and wor- ship, yet there is here one rallying point to which our enc/ieL? are directs edv — the preservnlion of our religious freedom, unslutckUd hij the hijlnencs or authority of civil porvr. Composed as your memoriahats are, of variou? donoiniinlUja? of pro- fe'ised christian'3, we feel extremely delicate in arraigning here, at>y ar- ti' le of relij[ioiis faith. Yit there is one, sometimes avowed, so irjconsis- tent in its own character, and so evidently tesiding to "justify practices inconsistent wth the peace or safety of this state," that we cauiiot do jn>(ice lo our subject to pa>^<* it by unnoticed. The doctrine is this — tlral nhnistrrs of^th'' ^nspd ought to he considered as a distinct order in civil ao- ci-t'. superior 1 1 ith'r m mbers of corrimunit'/, and that tu contribute t'o their dighitf and support, is a dutt/ from whu-h none can he exempt. We, trii^ft, Ihat M>iir honorable body vvill perceive, that this belief, so daniicr- onsni Its tendencv and consecjuences, is uiconsislcnt even wi(h the clnis- ti.ln profession ; for one proiisinent statute of its /n-al Founder, (lie Lo'd Jifrtiis Christ, thus declares, — " M: k nf^dnni is not of this world.'"' (John 18. 36.) -and aiain He co;nm;Hnds, " But he ye not railed Rahhi : for one isi/oiir'-yMayt'r, evni Christ ; and all ye are hv-thren.'''' (Matthew 23, 8. )i Let it not, be forgotten, that our happy Constitution reco:jnizes this safe and ijlorious rule of 'hristiamty, in restraining the ambition of its pub- lic teachers. This golden precept, if i( can not be remembered, should be inscribed upon Xh*^ border of every cleriiyman's srarment, that "" Min.- ist rs of the gospel ought NOT to he diverted from the great duties of their- functions.-^ The moment then, a Religion, called by the Christian name, is established by the hand of earthly power, it is not only denom\- ced »» Ant' christian by the Supreme Legislature of real Christianity, but it is so considered by the (/onstitution of this State. Il IS this spurious Establiihed Religion, under various names, that has per.>ecuted all sects and denominations but its own. This is tlie withering Smioom. which has so often blasted, on the fertile fields of civil life, ev- etv intellectual and moral plant — every cheeringand refreshing shade of human sympathy and affection. But though (he heart of intolerance and tyranny is sometimes foutwl in this happy land ; — it still lives among us without fear or danger; — ^it bnnithes uninjured, the same pure air of freedom, and is continually tai giit by the inviting, the benevolent and ennobling examples of true republicans, the safe and benign influence of our fvfc institutions. In passMig from the Supennlendent to the in.-;(iga(ors of his sfraug:; communications, your memorialists distinctly avow, that they would be far fnim pointing at any class of men as extraordinary or distinguished transgressors of the golden rule. Such is the acknowledged degeiif rac\ of human nature, that every one is suspicious of those who have intensis clashii)'.c vviih ;ii^ o"'ii,and let those interests increase to a sufficient mag-v liitmie, the euspicwn n&es to a sense of danger. It becomes us then, a* 13 members of'an fnfellicrent and improving republic, never to forjzet the UU" deni.^bic fact — however t!ie aspinnii class may labor to conceal it, — that, in the lon^ established and prOijressive organizitinns of society there are two great inteue t-; ; — the interest of the p/'e dominant portion of the cii-rgy. ai d tlie int' ri.st of tht pnoph . We need not masiy proofs of this important truth. We need not re- pair to the wastes of antiqait y~to see the engrossed lights of knowledgis and veliremeni among the Eii\ptian priests, reflecting darkness and ue- basemeni upon thi' people, — or to view the imposing solemnities of the Fvthian oj-ai le. where (lie priests of Apollo rose to opuience and grand- eur by the large contributions of the lower class. We need not leave this favored country, to traverse the enslaved lands of Europe and Asia, where Religions Est;iblishments, from the Bramins of India to the Bish- ops of England, ha^e drawn through every state and condition of socie- ty, the long, deep and degrading hnes of division, between the clergy and the people. We need not go back to the first settlements and laws of Virginia, when *' the poor Quakers were fl} ing from persecution in Eng- land :" — when "• they cast their eyes on these new countries as asylums of civil and religions freedom ; but they found them free only for the reigning sect :" — when those chains of religious intolerance were forged, which bound the "ancient dominion" for more than 150 years. We need not advert to the happy and eventful period, when those chains were broken b\ the counsels of her patriotic and enlightened statesmer; : — wiien the illustiious Jefferson, who dared to intimate, in the cause of religious and civil freedom,* that it affected not hia rights, " for bis neighbor to say there were twenty gods, or no God ; it neither picked lii;< pocket, nor broke his leg," — was branded as an injidei by those bigotted and aspiring men, whose interest never could unite with the interest of the people. — We need not pass the few late years of our own remembrance, to the governments of Vermont and Connecticut, where a man v^'as absurdly supposed to be born u Presbyterian, and must alienate ■ — # * The words of Mr. Jefferson upon this subject (about 1782) form an elepjant index tp his enrlu=. rjnp( character as a statf'srnan Tlip}' are vvorthy of record, aere perennius, upon tables of granite, to furnish and adorn every legislative hall in the union. " Our rulers" he observes, " cf^n have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we couM not submit. We are an-? jwerahle for them to our God. TVie legitimate power" of governmeht extend to such acts only as ar&. injurious to others. But it does me no injxi slice for my /teigi,hor to say, iiiere are twenty Gods, or no, God. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." * * « » * * " Was the governirunt to prescribe to u» our medicine and diet, our boiiies would be in such kee- ping as our souls are now. Tnus ui France, (he emetic was once fu)i)idiien as a medicine, and the potatoe as an article of food. Government is just as infallible too, when it fixes systems m physics. Galileo was sent to the inquisition for affirmina;, that the earth was a sphere. The government had declared it to be as flat as a trencher, and Galileo was obliged to abjuie his error. This error, how- ever, at length prevailerj ; the earth became a globe ; and Descartes declared, it whirled round its axis by a vortex. The government in which he lived was wise enough to see that this was no question of civil jurisdiction, or we should all have been i.ivolved by authority in vortices Intact, the; vortices have been exploded, and the Newtonian piinciplf of gravitation is novv more firmly establish- ed, on the basis of reason, than it would be, were the gov( rrini. nt to step in, and make it an arti- cle of necessary faith. Reason and experiment hav^ 1 . in inilulged an! erroi- has fled before tliem. / Common Schools throushout the State. \ PLAJVf OF A REGISTER OF MERIT, As used in the Albany Lancaster School. FIRST CLASS. Names of scholars abetical 1 Sta n ins ! ■ *h^- el..- Remark:). in aiph order. I M T I w 1 T 1 t' 1 « A B 1 6 4 1 5 3 6 4 C D 2 II 1 1 1 4 I ' 2 . E ^ I 1 11 1 III 3 I 1 2 G H 3 6 4 1 4 ! 1 N. B. The straight marks in the square are fines. The above is designed for one week. Suppose the class to consist of 12 spholars ; and the rule of the school be to reward, weekly, one quarter of the number. Then the three beSt on the list are to be rewarcler! ; and these will be tbe three who have the least amount of figures against them, aftep adding the fines. Thus : - Add fines - 2=36. «' " . 3=15. , . . «« •» . 10=21. - " " - 2=^29. A Tract of 16 pages. " 12 " 8 «' The reason of adding the fines ta the sum of the figures, is, that the greater the amount, the low* er is the e:rade ef merit. The fines may be graduated, by one or more marks, according to the de- gree of Hjisconduet. If not convenient to give the reward one week, for want of tracts of the requisite number of pages, it can be given the next week in which another premium shall be merited ; and any overplus of cre- dits can be noted in tbe column of remarks, as a balance due There may be cases in which it will be advisable to wait several weeks, in order to adapt the book to the age and character of the schol- ar. The society will probably endeavor to furnish as great a variety, in their series of reward books, as practicable ; will probably prepare many in' the small pocket size ; and calculate them for first, se- cond, third and fourth preiniums, and for several classes. A B 34. C D 12. E F 11. G H 27. C D 1st Premium E F 2d " G K 3d COMMON SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS. The practice of annual celebrations in seminaries of learning, is well known to be almost universal jn the higher institutions ; and their importance and influence may be estimated by the fact, that ia the highest -universities and colleges — they are held in the most consideration and receive the most attention. Eut it would be superfluous to enlarge on this subject, or to enter into a detail of »h« par- IS ticular benefit3 resnUing^ from these celebrations ; every man tf reflection instantly perceives ttieiis ; sind every thing in his own bosom involunhirily rises up to sanction t/iem. Wejeel that tiwy addrese fhpineelves to, perhaps, the most powerful principle of our aaturn— Me desire of eminence Why should they not be universally a-lopted in th« primary school? ? Why have they not been * Are not these schools of sufficient importance ? Forbid the lhoug;ht, every consideration of reason, every emotion of beoevoIeBce. If the alternative were imposed upon m --PERISH THE COLLE- GES; let the commoD schools live. There are perhaps some difficulties in the adoption of these cel- «bration8 in the common sehools ; but there are difficulties in every thin<; that is of any value. Hap-' pily, in this caw, they are easily removed. i,4 little spirit and a little resohdion ejects it. The pi oof is at hand ; and it is conclusive. IT H\S ALREADY BEEN DONE. An instance of it has occuf red. of which we have (jreat pleasure in giving; the foUowinsf account : COMMON SCHOOL CELEBKATION IN THE TOWN OF SALEM. In the town of Salem, in Washington county, there are twenty-one common schools. In February last, on the recommendation of the Rev. Doctor Alexander Proulfit, all theso schools assembled in the village of Salem each school, headed by its teacher, proceeded to the churcii, and took their places in order, according to previous arrangement. The commissioners, trustees and irispectors, were also present. The assembly was nuin»-rou» beyond ait expectation. From one school, six miles distant from the village, nearly seventy scholars attended. The spectators w«re also numerous. An address was delivered by Doct. PrOudfit, accompanied by appropriate exercises. After which, pi^- sents of little books were distributed. The whole day was a day of universal and animated satisfac-- tion : and the benefits of it en the schools will doubtless be great, and lonj; felt. The thought was a happy one. But it was one which might have been expected from the man who conceived it and car- ried it into effeet. The liberal heart is continually devisin^l liberal tbintfs N. B. It mifrhf prevent the intrusion of the idle, the noisy, and the vicioua, to admit no person witk- fjut an admission ticket at 6 Secketary's Offii'e. i Mbany, August 1, 1824, The accflinpaiiyia": instructiaas for establisliing Commmi School Celebrations i« th^ several towns in this state, are transmitted agreeably to an iatiiiiatioo CKntaioed io a tbrmercirrulvir ; and 1 anticipate, more especially, from those who've official duties are connected *vith our school syKtera, a cordial cooperation in giving them fnlt cft'ect. Yon will perceive that the object m «'ieiv is extremely important ; lor it addresses as xvell to the affections of the parent, as the feelings and interests of the citizen. I he happiness of society and the freedom of our country mainly depend upon llie generai diffusion of knotv ledge, and it is our duty to devise the best means for attaining and securmg that very desirable end. In a few years, the children that now sit upon our knees, or play aroud the room, will (ill our places, and become the future legislators, mf n used in support of ourccmtuon >>cbool<$, will produce the same end ? And why, permit me lo a»k, should not onr common K-hools be placed on a footif g as rf vp* ctable a« any other of our seminaritik of learning ? Are they not as useful ? &r is tiot tb'Mr iailiienee more gs'nerally felt &• ackoowl«d(;ed ? When we cousio der also the h'lsM chiracter which our common schools have mo deservedly naintained— wbMi we find other states aud countries imitating their example and quoting their kuc cess, shouhi w*-, not teel the strongest desire to render them itili more worthy of thi& di!itio< tion, and still more useful to ourselves and posterity ? In counect'on with common school ceUbratmns, is the tair and discreet distribntiou of honors, premiums and rewarrfs. for scholarship and behavior. It is to bt< regretted that some public fund has not been det^iguated by law for defraying the expense ef thii part of our svstem oi education, as it would certainly render it more complote, asad giv« it an iocpulse of almost incredible value. It is highly probable, however, that at no very distant d:iy, our legislature will be enabled, from the prsceeds ariiing from tho sale of neaily a million of acres of land belonging to our coraroen schools, to appro> pnale a fund for thi.s purpose . In the iuterim, something may yet be done. Small books or moral tracts may be cheaply purchased, eitliT with the monies produced by the sale of tickets of admission at celebr itioo.s, if deemed advisable, or by sul>scrip« tious or appropriations from liberal and public spirited men. The cost will be too tri* fling to allow us to despair that these means will be adequate to a very considerable extent. I have already had occasion to recommend tht- introduction of moral tracts into our schools, aud I can only repeat, that those publications, while they furnish food both for the head and the heart, may be obtained with great facility, and at one' third the usual prices of ordinary publications In many iustaaces, certijieates qfschol" arship may be given as rewards, or auxiliary incentives to study , but books or tracts of a moral t'. ndetuy, when they can be obtained, are certainly prefrrable. From all that has been said, who can contemplate, without thf most intense satis* faction, the grand results that will Qow from the full and vigorous adoption of these plaos ? Who can count the numerous blessings that will att«ad the exertions of every one of you in this benevolent cause — the cause of God and man, and one which Prov** ideijce will surely consecrate and prospir ? It is dfSJrabie to receive your answer, acknowledging the receipt of this circular and the accompanying instructions, willin thirty days ; and should any suggestioufi occur fo yoH, communicate them treely. We can have but one common object in view ; and l«m p'Ti'adp*!, th^r^fore, of you- foncurreoce and support ia eTct•J^neces'.ary and jutlirioiii •trraugemeut " lor the encouragemeDt of leariiiug aud tbe promotiou of rirtup," I am, Gentlemen, Very respectfully, Your obedifnt servant, J. V. N. YATES, Acting Superintendent of Cojamsn Schools^ 'J^o the Commissioners, TifpfCton:, Trustees and T ac hers i of Common Schonh, and to the Town Clerks and District > Clerks throughout the State, V (C.) INSTRUCTIOIVS FOR ESTABUSHING COMMON SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS, I. In each town rontaining a clitirch or public place of dirine worship, there shall be, in erery vear, one or iiiwc Conmon School Celebrations ; to which the teachers and scholar<> of the several shfjolsofsuch town, the parents and guardians of those scholars, the officers of such schools, and the other inhabitants of the town, shall be invited to attend. Where tbe (own is too large or extensive to admit their attendance at any one tina** and piace. arrangements may be made, if thought necessary, for limiting the num- ber of schools to b«» invited, an 1 for directing another celebration to he held tor the rest of thf .chools. which may have been exchided from the first. Tickets of admission for sppctitors, if deemed advisable, may be issued, an1 the proceeds arising from tde sales thereof 'niy be anplied to the purchase of premiums for tlie scholars, II. rU' eeleb-ations in each town shall be placed nnder the direction of the com- iBi<>s< ; for distributing honors and premiums , for establishing rrligious and other ex'-rcvies, and generally ti>r attaming the great ends io view, viz. emulation among the scholars, and the eaeonragera 'ul of learning aud virtue. HI- Tne commissioners of common school*, when they meet in each town for distri- buting the public monies to school districts, or for the performance of any other offi- cial duty, shall, with the assistance of the inspectors, whom they will invite for the puipose, declare in writing the time of holding their next ensuing common school cel- ebration, and shall prescribe all the necessary arrangements , and they shall also give or cau^e to be givin, due notice thereof to the trustees, or district clerk of each school district within their towns, and they shall inform their ttacher, who is required lo coniiitunicate the same to the scholars under his charge, so that their parents and guar- dians and otht-rs may receive timely notice. IV. The town clerk« shall record the appointments and orders of the commissioners and inspectors, and shall assist in giving publicity and eHect tlipreto. Tiiey. aiid the disirict clerks, are also required to fde and record these instructions, with the accom- paiiving circular, in their offices respectively. V Teach rs ot co nmon schools sfta/Z keep suitable rolls of the names of their schol- ars, and ahaU daily note, with strict impartiality and justice, the absence or tardiness of pa«'h scholar, the progr<^ss made by each scholar in his studies, and the s' "^Tiil course of his b> havior ; «o that on the arrival of tho next common s* ttodi ceiebration, the names of the most desf^rving may be cnnnuunicatfd to the commissioners atid iu- sp« ctor<, for the purpose of distinguishing, by suitable liouors and rewards, their pro- ficie-icy in scholarship and behavior. VI. When two towns, or parts of two or more town*, can conveniently unite ia the 6am<- celebration, the commissioners and inspectors of such towns may have yomer to dinctW.; and where a district lies in two or more towns, tbe trustors thereof nza^ choose the town or towns in tvhich they will attend the common school celebration. VII. WitliiD tweoty days after each celebration, a faithful account of its proceedings 21 >Yi!l be tr'itiSi.niJtef! to the a^tirg siiperintemJent of c-ommeii schools. 'Ihe town clerks. are specially ckarged ivjiti tiie ptriosmduce ol" this duty. J. V. N. YATES, Acting Superintendent of Common Schools. . Albany, August \, 1824. ( J^^ofe ..It will be particvlarly observed, as the actine superintendent is anxious to prevent AP= PEALS or cornplaintri comins: before him with respfct to the perfornjance of these instructions, that he expects aprompt and faithful compliance with them, and hopes to hear of no complaints to the con- trary. It will also be proper to note, that the officers of Lancaster schools, or free schools under acts of incorporation, in the cities of New-York, Albany. Hudson, Troy and Schenectady, and in Pouojhi keepsie. will adopt thtir own regulations for instituting celebiatioris. and may, if they think proper join wtth any other schools ther'^in. or may have tht m separately by themselves ; hut it is hoped andj,., believed, ttjat the Lancaster or free schools will not fail to pursue one or other course. PRESENTED IN SENATE, FEBRUARY, 10,1825. To t\ie HowovabAe U^e Seuate avxd iisseviftV)\y of t\ie Slate o? ^*ew-\ork. This appendix of the undersigned committee of the inhabitants of Leb«^ anon, to their memorial of December 20, 1824, Further Respectfully Represents, That the said memorial had received more than 150 signatures, when a new puliiic communication issued by the New- York State Tract Soci- •^ ety, and signed by six of their distinguished officers, made its appearance in liie Albany Gazette of Dec. 31, 1824. This communication (marked D) which IS herewith respectfully presented, developes so fully the in- tentions of the Tract Society with respect to o:ir common schools, and the exact identity of the'r plans with those of the acting Superintendent j — together with a view of the character and principles of that Society, so unexpected, so disguised, and still so strikingly discernible, that while your memorialists regret the necessity of enlargement, they would humbly ask the privilege of a few additional suggestions. We would also bg leave to submit t'l your perusal a fopv (marked E) of alf tter a.d' i]vc»'ied to the acting Superiiitpiident by the School Coiiisiissioiif-rs &c. of Lebanon, ahoiit the 10th Jaimary inst.— aiid abo lo state, that siihelaatially. the original ot said letter had heep previoiislT transmitted (about ihe 21st D«ceaiber last) to the acting 8u- pprintcsideiit, signed by Messrs. E. Gray Commissiotu'r, and S, Coliister [nspector of Commou Schools ; which original If iter was ittiiisiiul (o the said guitlemen, with the Answer of Mr. Yatfs, (of DecMidx r i'.6U: 1824.) of which a c( py (maiked F) is sub- insttei! ;r— that the said lett« r was copied, sigufd " in a WAnuvv fulitj oj/icial," and again transmitted as above to the actine, Siiperintendent, and that the tofiseqiience of this " of- ficial letter" was the official answer of ihe said actin^ Supei intend* ut, (uf January 17tli inst.) of which a copy (n^aiked G) is also respecirnlly s'ubiiiifted— in which it appears, that we wen correct in onr view of the intfntion of the Snpennteijdent, lo hare *^ his Mscretionarg Instructions^' received as Lc3i' and ri.n^idered asjjenai. Your memorialists are fully sensible, thnt this »s not the first time, that the same eventual object, pursued by various plans, has been sought, and ^met.mes with partial sticress, even in this land of Hberty and lleht— )ther state? h^veexpcnenced the rise and fJI of clerical tyranny : J oatsoh.fih handed an attempt to infringe the rij^hts ftf the people, and govern them without their consent, under the combined cover of laro and C L^'?"' f o"''''''' '"''' ^>.^''eve, been made before in this state. The Tract i i • , . , , :', ^ -'^ -w .. n.wi,u. i lit: circulars oi ine Sijpt I III- (endent, together with the specimen tract and its cover, gave us presume tive and alarming evidence of the correctness of our suspicion?:— That c^timony xva« hc.-hten«H} by a quotation made, in the pnhhc prints, from the Boston Reorder, (a paper devoted (o their cause)^v,z. that they had • sent (he documents exhibitino; their success to 1 7 d.fferent tract so- cict.es in tne Union— to England, and to 31 tract societies on the conti- nent of Luropc "-But it remained for the Tract Society themselves to ^nraish us all the evidence wc could ask, direct and complete. In this public communication, they do not hesitate to avow their unqualified in- tention to push their Tracts into " the hands of every child that can read -'nthe statc'^Thi^y do not blush to nrknowled-e, that ^^ 7o,th thh vvi, l.icy first addressed themselves to the commiss-ouers and tiustees of our 7400 common schools, urging the introduction of their Tracts into the schools as rewards.''— While thev claim the honor of talcm- the lead, :hey do not scruple to boast of the '• v/r.n^" support of the Sr^crctary of State aiidpaiticularly of his '' officml/jj duyctlng ihe school and town officers to institute annua! celebrations " iud that their mentorous services may not be forgotten, they add, " a. Me Socitl;^ had snsg^sl d on the covers of the specimen Tract they sent out. '^—kuii they are iu> less readv to inform n. that human prudence" has attained the very summit of all improve- mcnt, in their plan to establish at the head ofouVs€h-,»ol svstem, a new cc clesiastical censorship of Mr^fi ;>acs/*, whose infallibility no one is sunno- sed to doubt, and who, in short, are made the Judges of the proprie- ty or fitness of all that mass of sermons, religious novels, warniiiiis and exhortations, with which, in the form of tracts, our common schools are to be abundantly supplied. Your memorialists desire to be distinctly understood, that in our strictures upon the Tract Society, we do not commence an attack. We stand upon our own -round-the ground of our civil and reii-sous ri-hts, lyluc.U/iey are inviuhng, and it cannot be thou-ht stran-e, that while ti)cy $o boldly advance, we should presume to survey their character and ])ieteii£ions. We may first observe in jiciJeral, that the ambitious and manaHug de- signs o( the Tract Society, are in thi? state unequalled but by thc^assum- >:ig(not (osny arrogant) language in which these designs are sometimes conveyed. J fify-^pc:ik of ''kc^\x\i power, and whercj — with deep solicitude we would ask — where would it end ? If their lan-i guage is not useless and unmeaning, we truly perceive in this production, a spirit, with which these enthusiastic professors of benevolence would: \vield, what thev call, " the fiery indignation of Jehovah" upon all those who might differ with them in religious opinions. — It is the spirit witK which Pagans and Jews have persecuted Christians, and nominal Chris-i tians have persecuted Pagans and Jews — with which Catholics have kin-l died the faggol for Protestants, and Protestants for Catholics — Episcopa-j lians for Presbyterians, and Presbyterians for Baptists and Quakers. — ^'t is the same f;o?r('< which led the celebrated Calvin to climb the chair of state, and sway the sceptre of civil dominion for years in support of his religion — the same spirit which led him to disregard the sacred laws of hospitality, — to seize an unsu^pectinti fugitive from Papal violence, and consign the harmless Servetus to the flames t with worse than savage cru- elty. It IS the same sp/r/^ which induced that refined Stoic who has been miscalled " tiie gentle .¥. lancthoii'^ to approve that barbarous measure :|j — and if the emphatic epithets of " weak and wicked priests,^^ used by the wise and learned fathers of this state, do not apply to those clergy- men, they, at least " knew not what manner of spinC^ they were of. It is the same spirit which, within a few months, has induced that worse Ihan Napoleon, the despot of Russia, to strip his unhappy Jewish sub- jects of every thin^ but life — and which more lately has led the infatua- ted clergy of Spain, through their weak and bigoted monarch, to decree to indisciiminate slaughter, the honorable and inoffensive fraternity of; freemasons, who are adjudged without evidence or trial, to be "enemies to the Altar and the Throne.'''^ We would here respectfully ask — Is it * Edinburgh Encyclopedia. Vol. 2, p. 430. f Mo^-heims Eccles. Hict. Century 18. Sec. 3, part 2- Also Edinburgh Encyclopaedia Vol. 5. p. 18?. £ Edinburgh Encyclopedia Vol. 5, p. 134. this unchastened " desire ef tminence^^ and powei*— Is this the spirit mth which petition after petition for certain Education Societies have been pushed into the halls of the State Capitol ? If so — permit us humbi)' to enquire— ^Can the Legislature of this State do its citizens a greater ser- vice than to disencumber at once its statute book from those ill gottea charters — and to leave those bodies to maintain their iden(it) and their permanence by that charitable conjidence and brctherli^ love which they profess, and which alone, we are bold to say, constitutes an ample and sufficient bond of union (or exerv real christian institution. ? To return from this digression, we may add — when we compare this communication of the Tract Society with the enthusiastic expressions of the Superinten- dent—when we hear them proclaiming their religrous tenets, &:c. ^c. — when we hear him saying officially '* I feel a strong solicitude for the suc- cess of their benevolent design ;" and again, '' to give it''"' (that is, the plan of Dr. Proudfit and the tract society) " more full effect^ I intend in a few days, to issue Instructions to the Commissioners and Inspectors of common schools throughout the state, requiring them to institute Cele- brations of that description," &;c. we cannot entertaift even the faintest doubt of a combination (we had almost said conspiracy) between the Tract Society and the Secretary of State, to convert to their religious -faith Ihe whole rising generation within their reach, by controlling the civil institution of our Common Schools, and thus gradually t^ estabhsb the support and power of the clergy, who are of their belief and system, above all others in the state. We recur to another disguised^ though very |)ointed denunciation in their writings, to corroborate our views of their oppressive spirit. Notwithstanding the increasing numbers of charity students, by which the clergy are annually enlarging their literary strenj^th ; the various clas- ses of young men, destined for other professions, of superior talents, in- dependent judgments and elevated minds, which the public Universi- ties are continually adding to the ranks of Liberty, and returning to their homes to enliven the patriotic spirit of social circles and public assem° blies with the united charms of freedom and science, — are still too nume^ rous to allow the ambitious portion of the clergy to hold the field of refi- ned education and its consequent power, with undisputed claim. The Emperor of Austria intimated to his Colleges, that he had much rather have quiet subjects^ than learned men :— & from the collateral testimonies given of their ambition , and another proof yet to be adduced,* we have good reason to conclude, that the Tract Society were actuated by the ssLme spirit, when, with a shallow pretext, they gave us the hint upon the cover of the Tract, — " perish the colleges ; let the commojt schools LIVE." Indeed, if these gentlemen could have the absolute control of our common schools, and cur Colleges reduced to those Seminaries onlv, which are placed under the care of Education Societies, and devoted to the rearing of none but clergymen, " their fuccess^^ would then be Their atteck npm *he meBwry ef (fee Illaminafi. 4 ■2^ complete, and the occasion be furnished for another exulting' communi- cation to the •' 31 tract socutiesof the Holy Jilliance.'''* It will surel}' not be exceeding our linnits to say, that we perceive in this Society, a demonstrable splnt of sprrulatinn. For we consider Tract Snci^tifS as capable of speruiation a« Bunk Societies, and if (he ca^h profits are not as extensive, the deficiency mn> be more than sup- plied by the danjierous accumulations of influencf and pow.r. Besides the immense distribution of " quarterly and amiual rezoards''' involved in their plan, the Society have shewn us upon the cover of '" the Pension- er," the distribution of tracts which they append to the Register of me- rit, as a model for imitation throuirhout the state — viz. 3 tracts, amoun- ti7i terrestrial '' party?^ was such as mis^ht safely allow them to occasionally "de- scend'^ "and manage the affairs of State, without danger, suspicion or inquiry. . , , •• •. Again— the Tract Society, as we conceive, show no less a disposition to crush the enlightened intellect and the spirit of freedom, than to mis- lead the public inind, when they rake up the ashes of the llluminati, and enfleavor to revive the exploded falsehoods of Barruel and Rcbisoti.— Shall we pause to observe, that when the heat which pervaded the civih- izcd world at the time of the French revolution had subsided, it was dis- covered, that the dominant clergy not only of France but of otliercoun- tries, had not forgotten to improve the golden opportunity of fal8 construed into a malignant opposition to the clergy. We disclaim any such feelings. We meet and hold intercourse with them as gentlemen and as fellow-citizens. In religious matters, we lake the liberty to think of them, and to give preference or no preference — as we please : and we allow them the same privilege in return. We are willing that they should stand upon the same open field — the same broad level with our- selves. W^e cheerfully grant, that the privileges of private life should be equally, and even (when their conduct comports with their constitu^ tional pfa(ion) somewhat more liberally extended to them than ourselves* But, when we discover tliem approaching oiir ciJadel of power : — wlu-it we stf Ifjem endeavoring to influence or control (he acts of our piihlic cfficers : we call (hem back to look upon tl^e experience of past a; es — to (urn their eves to the inor.itory beacons of our Constitution, and be- ho'd them inst ribed. ' Procul. O procul, este profani " [Hence, O be far hence, from our cixtl institulions.'] There IS a remaimng point of ( oMiision in which the Secretary and Tract Society agree to a wonder. It is seen m Committee. FRANCIS WHITMORE, ] JOHN L. C. CAZILR, j LEBANON, JANUARY 31, 1825. •) NEW-YORK STATE TRACT SOCIETY. [for the ALBANY GAZETTE.] This sfwiety wa=i organized oii the 2.')th February, 1824. It U formpfl on the mode! of tho \meric.iii Br>!p^oc.ietv ; not onlv uj its ferierativo civ.ir3(U*^r, bat in i s Cflf/j' vlir spirit. It-; Hfsicrn U to combine tie tffi^rts of the Irj-mls of religion througbout the state, in two nlijp(?ts : l^t. Prov.Jinn; funds for tUr puhlicatwn of religions tracts : and 2d Furnishing chann'Ms fir t!!«'i'' circulation. The plan oi the society for ac^'oaiplishing; both is, a parenfe institution in the city Oi Albany— liie cr ntr^ of commtinication with all pait^i of the state— branches in evei'y coiii.ty. s»nd anxi'Mfy societie'-. if possible, in every town and viliace The pamnt inKtitution is to print the tracts at the lowest practicable rate, by means of stercnlvp' plates ; to sell them to (he anxiiiary societies at the lowest price compatible with fiie permanent Mipport of the institntion, which will hemuch lower than they could be printed in small editions ; and to fnrnish them ^ra/wifOTi/?/ to coinmimities nnable to pnrchase. T!i' spirit of the society is that ot £,euuine Catholicism— opeHiiig its araSs to evangelical christians of every denomination. Thirty n«w societies have already attached themselves to the institution as auxiliaries; and the numb' r is steadily increasing. Its donation", life subscriptions, and annua? snbcriptions, including the snbscriptions to five anxiiiary societies in Albany, amount to npwardw of $1200 in the city of Albany, and S225 from other parts of the state.— About forty different tracts have been stereotyped. To keep np and increase the spirit of cirf^nlating tracts, the society issues a monthly publication called the JVewYork Tract Magazine ; containing 24 pages monthly price 4 t" nee. With a view to the same end, the society is now urging the establishment of Vcunty Branches ; as an intermediate class of societies between the auxiliaries and the part.nt institution. It i^ thought they will be so many centres of influence, which will efficient- ly act upon the auxiliaries, by correitpondence, and personal intercourse. To them, auxiliaries and individuals may resort and obtain supplies of tracts at all times and itj all parts of the state. These county branches may holdaiinua! meetings, to which the auxiliaries may, if convenient, send delegates, and at any rate, may send reports of their proceedings for the year ; vvhich may be combined with the annual report of the county branches ; and these again may be transmitted to th«e parent institution, to he embodied in their annual report. But all will be left to manage their own concerns ac- cording t' their own judgment and discretion. To secure a proper selection of tracts, the society have in their constitution, pre- scribed a reguUtmn which tbey are not aware can be improved by human prudence. — ' Three ministers o\ the gospel are to be annually chosen by the directors as counsellors ivithout the approbation of two of whom no tract is to be published. These counsel, lors, for the present year, have been chosen from the Presbyterian, the Dutch Reform- ed, and the Baptist churches; which, witki the Lutheran church, are the only denom- inations that have hitbi rto united with the society. The character of the tracts design-?: ed to be published, will be seen in the following extracts from the address of the soci- ety on its first institution ^nd from one of their vubsf ([uent publicitions. " Great pains and oa«tion wilt be used m the choice of tracts. The cardinal points in all the t-ractt' e shall publish will be, the salvation of our fellow beings in the eternal world, atid Iheir happiness in the present. They will therefore inculeate the simple, essential, it iiths of the gospel; and enforce the only trne morality, that "liieh i<- ttie fruit of n iigion." *' It is believed that the time is corae when a broad lino of distinction should ht drawn between those who ser k j.i*;tification as it were by the works of the law, and thosf who receive the sacrifice of Christ as the «nly foundation of hope, and with' iit the recep- tion of which there is nothing to be looked for but the fiery inlignatiou of Jeho- vah. On this local principle which we believe is never cordially embraced but by the teaching ol the Holy Spirit, we woiilJ invite the co operation of our fellow- cbristians." One point to which the society is directing its efforts is, to raise np tracts from the de- gradation into which they have sunk. Among the means of effecting l!ii«, their tracts are covered with strong paper, the edges are trimmed, and each tract is emtjelliKhed with an illustrative cut. Bat the society is strenuously endeavoring to elevate tracts in a more important respect — the estimation in woich they are held by cultivated minds. To this an I thrt^tngh the medium of (he tract magaizii)>', and jn their corespondeiice, they continually endeavor to inculcate the stntiment, that '• fdf rational eutertainmi nt, for ••olid motriiction, for improvement of the heart, the whole circle of literature may be boldly challenged to produce their equal." The society looks with a paternal solicitude to the rising generation. In their desires th^^y hed, and sent to " the com uissioners, insptctors, trus- tees, and teachers of common schools.and to the town clerks and district cleiks through- out the state." And he has received, and is coutiiiuAlly receiving, numerous answers approving the measures he had prescribed, and pro.nisiiig active co operation in car- rying tham into eff>ict ; many of th^in expressing, in tiie strongest terms a high sense of their beneficial effects, and some calling him the benefactor o\' the common schools. We would now earnestly, but respectfully appeal to the Christian conmunitif, for that prompt and substantial support which, from its mignitude and its plan, this enter- prize iiHeds, ;ind — we trust, we may all — which froin its successful oinmencemeut, its ch.iratter, and itsoJijects, it merits. W^ would present yon with tlie institution. Is it w >rtiiy of yflir acceptaice ? yon will not reject it. No : we are confident you will cordially receive, chfrish and nourish it witii true christian libi^rality. Judge ye, your- selves, whether it h is received an adequate support. We would not complain ; we are sensible tJiat m':i b.ifiretliey give their n mey -to any obj.^ct of benevolence, desire som*^ fair pledge thit it will b> vvell applie I ; and the claim is reasomhle. Our acts during ten months are before the public. The city of Albany, you perceive, has coa- tribctted nearly six times the amr>unt that has been contributed by the whole stale be- sides. For the spirit of the society we refer yau to its publications, to extracts from those of other societit>s which are onr madeh, an J to the letters addressed to iis by persons who are among the most ardent friends oftracts. These will all be seen in The JVetv-York Trut Migiizine. We trust the society is aboos all party feeling ; and that we honest- ly intend, and shall seduou.sly endeavor, to keep it &%free from Sectarianiim as the Bi- ble is. V 13 Lot Im Religious Triat Siciety issued 10,012,700 tracts during their last year, an I hive isssu^..l, iti all. 60,000,000 in twenty-five years. What shonid we say, were »"e to hear of tefi mUUons of the pestiferous tracts of infidelity being issued in a ycaf bj the German and French Iliunainati ? Should we not say, that all the existing barrier's aa!i»s of social life be iioder- iri;ned ; al! the foiintaiiis ofdonipstic peace, sf curity and happi.iess poisoned ? and why Hhoiild not the opposite effect* be produced hy publications oian opposite Character ? Will it be answered — men imbibe evil much mortB eagerly than good ? It is tiue but is that a reason tor neglecting to circiilate religious tracts ? May we not, then, also appeal to every patriot, every fiiend of morality, of social order, and of huioaufty, to come for- ward and suppoit us liberally, in the great and arduous enterprize iu which we have embarked ? SAM'L. M. HOPKINS, ) W. A. TWEED Dale, > Executive Committee. JOHN WILLaRD, S We unite la the foregfling LEWIS LEONARD, > HENRY R. WEED, } CounasUorsf. JOHN LUDLOW, S (E.) SCHOOL OFFICERS OF LEBANON TO MR. YATES. Sin, Much time has elapsed since the reception of your Circular, requiring school cele- brations. Your request that you might receire an answer within thirty days, we are sensible has uet beea complied with. Various reasons for noo-compiiance uiight be rendered ; but suffice it to say, your Circular has been the occasion of much distur- bance in this town. The people are generally opposed to celebrations. The meas- ure is disapproved on many accounts, but the principal one appears to be, the encour- agement in that Circular to adopting tb« use of religious tracts. The inhabitants of this town. Sir, appear to be determined to maintain their rights, and not to submit to the least intrusion, either directly or indirectly, upon their civ I or religious privi- leges. Several meetings have been holden upon the occasion, and some division in the sentiments of our citizens appears. In regard to conveaienres for Cele- brations, we have no excuse to make. We have two roeetipg-bouses, cither of wh.ch is suificieutiy capacious to accommodate the people who would naturally attend a cel- ebration, Our roads we consider commodious. Indeed, Sir. we have no excuse, ex- cept it be, we will not comply — that is we know the people will not comply. The meas« ure has some friends. We desire. Sir, that you have the goodness to answer the following inquiries. 1st. Does the Common School Act Invest the aclug Superintendent with discretion' ary powers to require Comiiion School Celebrations ? 2d. Was it the intention of the acting Superintendent^ when his InstrnctioDS were is. sued, that they should be obligatory ? 3d. In case of noB-compliance, (provided they are considered obligatory) shall the people of this town snSer in consequence of such non compliance ? 4tb. Is the substance contained in the t7-act, etititled "The Pensioner and bis daugh- ter Jane" (which it appears your honor has been pleased to circulate) founded in tact ? We are n^itb due respect, Your most obedient servants, kPHRAlM GRAY, ) Commissioners SILAS SEYMOUR, } of FRANCIS WHITMORE. V Common Schools. SAMUEL COLLISTER, an inspector of Common Schools.. JOSIAH OWEN, Town Clerk of Lebanon. ttebanon, Madison County, January lOth 1825. B«n. J. V. N. Yate;, See'y of State, and acting Superintendent of Common Sohoetii. 34 (F.) ANSWER. Itoni your towi) in a nuanaer/a% official. j^ y^ j^^ YATES. Albany. December '2& 1826. EpUraim Gray & bamuel CoUister, Esqri. Lebanon. (G.) MR. YATRS TO THE SCHOOL OFFICERS OF LEBANON, [or his serond ao^ swer to tbe leltei marked E.] State of New-York. ) Secretary'* Office. S Albany. Jiimiaiy 17, Ibt^S. *^ To vorftr^t qu^stioo, " Do*", the Common School Acf invest th. acting Superintend d J. ..fCom noD%c.ools w.th dhcretio.ary pon>en to require common school celehra- tion'j" — . Vo;rSJ^:^""'^Js'fr intention or the acting S„peri..en will use r.c^ts. ho a , ^ ^^^^^^^^.^ 1;'.;K.I. pot J.. f"or.b.e i. our Co«.mon^eho„_|.^^^ _^^^.^^ ^^^^,, J V. N, Y \ ' ii''5, ^cdn^ Superintendent of Common Schools, Messrs. Gray, Seymoar. Whitmore, Colluter and 0*.eD. DEPOSIT O? t\.e CommVUee ow Ulevalure, ov. l\ie ^elU\ou of luVvdbilawls oi Lebauou. IN SENATE, MARCH 19, 1823. ",;:!,' from the act>ug°super>.>tende„t of common school., Report— ■,rpeleva,n. ,s. -Tr;7co™,nitt.e cn„*te<, o.'.he Hon, M«,r.. J. C. Speocer. S, W"?b. a»J J ^»H. tenets of t/ieir rHig.ons too are widely fy^;"^^"^'/^^ "^^^ ^^^d, j, either msrain'*, ..r that the gaid,..2 principle in th. umonoi .f^";^ ^"^rj^j^'^^^^^^f Jfi,«t „,.mbef. of t/.. people-, good! Tbe significant «- " ^^y^' '" Js TO WER '' "peaks volnmes ..poa the AVn; York Tract Magasme, that UN10^ n^ ruwtn, 1' Pies^yte- It .n.>ject. So^e.hat .Ul. more ;^;;hevv. by^a C.cn.a. ^'^^^^'^^^ZJ^ I caUy. •• 1. fa.thf..i discipline in all the chnrches of Uk Amencan -^^'-jf .^'/f^. c,>n/ legisiatioa in all the branches of o.,r .i.i f^t!T!^;^.^]^2^l'?, '" oress them together, there must be one great UN I i hJ) A AT IOr»J A L -l/f < rf . ^Btt the plan, ol tlm ftof^ ai/ra.r« tn Jm.rica arc , d pos^.bU . „u.,e '"' ^ ^f^ J^ V^. an anouy mous C .rcular, if.,, d within . U w .ronths, imn Aloany o, ^;«-^/^^^; P^^", , iied by a inao ot do commoB talents, and undressed " 2 o the Friends of RtUgion am the ri^ht exercised by the superintendent, of recommending books, not 8tncty school books, to be used in common schools, and the petitioner, compl.u) particularly of his having so recommended a particular tract. The actmg supenntendent supposes this power is given him by the 38tli •ect.on of the -act for the support of common schools," passed April 12 1819 by which It IS made the duty of that officer to cause to be printed published and distributed among the inhabitant,, in this state, ei-ht thou- sand copies of the said act, " and such instructions as shall be tho'ught nc cessHry and proper, for the better goverment and organization of commoa schools, thus inferring the right to eive such instructions. W.tliout .B.opp.ng to inquire whether that ijnplied power was not entirely spent, vhen the instructions then prepaied were printed and distributed, the com- mittee cannot perceive in the words quoied, any authority whatever to recommend or direct the use of anyj>articula^ooks in common schools. good govern;uaU'yt, a .>,ve. r..,,.est,„. ti„ Iv^^i^^I^^l^ft^iTci^ir^^tol^^ havr. ,imUar vieivs" la this Circular, w>,icl, has already been noticed by several Edi- tors, the writer, aft. r be^t-.^ing ..„|ogj„,ns iipou Theological Seminaries, Bible, Mis. •louary and Tract Societies, and particul irly the establi4.,n«nt of a National Tra.t So- ri^ty at New York, lays down the prii,cij>les-that •' By enlisting nu.Hs .1 'loyerum-nl ough , as much as possible, and may be p.acticible to produce Mia'/»/rt.r^/ HQd concord, both in our ciyi] .„vi religious m<[\un\on,.'' He Tery sagely oh«erye« that " the child generally inherits the r^li^io,, .,f its parent <*nd €a,i easily bemowded, according to circBinslances into almost any, and if necessary, into a Aatimulf^rn, 'f Atter giving bis friends to understand, thai he is no Episcojfalian while be holds up the fine example of an Established Religion .n England as a model ol.mit.t.on for this Republic, he then proposes to "make Ihe prevailing religion of the siHeAatwnal m its form, tendency and operation." This Circular dtvel ,pes the ^v'V-i'Di 1' ^T^ i?*'^ "*' ^J '"'g?««t"'S in circuitous language,! he union of the "PllES- . BV I KRIANS, Episcopalians. Baptists, Methodists. &c."J in the formation of " a wise Aatwnal treed. ' But the gist oil he whole argument is found in the exultation that the Clerical robe is becoming less and less the theme of scoff, rs, and more- and more a ^roud an I honorable bartj.« to him. who, for his theological attainments h f.'"/. M K 'V't'" »'ie mystical intimation Ihat ffRse privihged palro.iw ofholiness should be dpt.nguished by a more n-iZionu^ cndune,\\ which would be so|em„ and impo.ing, andvurhas ivculd secure to the sncndotal character, that rwercnre nhirh f, due to It -and hnally, i„ the anticipation of (tCT " secu.ing from Congress an appro, pnat.on of a port .on of tb; public lai.ds. te a limited, and yet sufficient number f tha C/rr^^, and for a well, !phnf;d course of Education." ^ -^ J "■ To the Ti. MS ao«! lanaungehne abstracted, whieii will Im rendered ir.ore sti iking mi . xplK-it by a perusal of th.^ Cucnlnr itstif, we add no i.ioie.-The heart of ever? ircfman will furnish its own coniinnu?. ,,rI.nN/r,"'V'""'rC '^' ^'■''hl^':''""s in Ills State, « ho are evirlently rnom.t; anrl ah' (Lose who are tlftll- .^ PM -' "",'■' ,'^'", ^''^"""'- "^«' «^'«- "'^'h of a creed is to be n,.a.urecl by nn,i,btrs, in^to „o witn hfi Bthle but to traffic witii .1, rule ,l as a hobby, or give it to the heathen. t if may ;^ell be ask. d, .. not ihif the leading object «f Sabbath School m&mztvi,~iQ mould the ri- sing- jienerafion to iheir " jw/zon./Z purposes? * J 1 his IS a (air sample of " the lesser bodies or sects" to be " attracted to" or I'.Iuped br^ " thflnr^ gtst. i fl Whether the wig, mitre, eowi or roektd hat, we are not told. 37 The organization of common schools, certainly has nothing to d ^.^^. books : "nor can your committee perceive how the authority to yceh .^^y rules for the better gnvtrnmmt of schools, implies the right to direct pa^rj, ticulnir books or studies. It obviously relaies to the defining the respec , tive powers and duties of commiss-oners, inspectors, trustees and school- masters. If the legislature had intended to vest in the superintendent the very important power of prescribing the particular spelling-books, read- ing lessons, and books of arithmetic, to be used in the common schools of the state, by which a most vexatious and unnecessary expense would be frequently thrown upon parents, in compelling their children to aban- dou the books tht7 already had for new ones, your committee conceive that such a power would have been distinctly given, in terms that could not admit of a doubt. This consideration would lead to a rigid construc- tion of any taw supposed to confer such a power, and appears decisive in the present case, when the words of the act can be fully satisfied, without giving to them such an extensive operation. If the superintendent ha« no power to piescnbe the use of books, authoritatively, he has none t» recommend them officially ; for it is not pretended that there is any oth- er part of the law giving such power, than that before quoted ; and if that confers any power, it is absolutely to command. Although this practice was adopted by the former superintendent, and has been, with the bs;st intentions, followed by the present incumbent, yet the committee cannot eritertain a doubt, that there is no authority for it. And if they supposed there was any such authority, they would not hesitate to recommend its immediate repeal. Independent of the consideration of enormous ex- pense, which it would produce, before mentioned, the direction of select- ting books, would, in its nature, be very liable to abuse, and would afford a most fruitful subject of contention, dissatisfaction and difficulty. The authors of school books, who failed to obtain the recommendation of the superintendent, would be the last to submit, in silence, to his decision. — . Town inspectors and commissioners, trustees of school districts, and pa- rents who send their children to school, have their favorite authors and systems, which, it is well known, are not easily surrendered. These sources of contention would be augmented, if the discretion of the super- intendent were extended to books partaking, in ^he least, of a religious character ; for no such book, excepting the bible, could be recommendedj without affording to the jealous and watchful eyes of the difTcrent denom- inations, subjects of criticism, cavil and complaint. If any proof of this should be required, it will be found in the very petition referred to your committee. The tract recommended by the acting superintendent, call- ed The Pensioner, is, perhaps, as inotlensive as any such work can well be written : and yet the excitement it has produced, is by no means confined to the petitioners. And while the committee entertain no doubt of thf cor:«mittee are far from reprehendini^ thi'< watchfulness and iea ofconscience, and to watch and resist the very first steps which may lead to such con- sequences among ourselves. Your commitlet have entered into this train of reflfcfions. in order to exhibit a full view of the dangers to be apprehended from the exercis directed annual celebrations of a number of schools in the same vicinity, a. id has given instructions to clerks oj towns <^ school districts, tn relation to tiiem. The power to do this ;s claimed under the words of the 38th section he- fore quoted. Although the conmittee can perceive .jo great evil hkelj to result from these celebrations, but on the contrary, some benetit may be derived from tiiem, yet they cannot (ind, in the lan^^uage of the law, any authority for directing them. They certainly do not come within ei- ther of the terms " the organization and governnieiit of common schools," for which onl} the superintendent is authorised to issue nistnictiOiS. — Still less does iha. language sanction any authoritative directions to town clerks and district clerks, on that or any other subject within their otlicial duties. 'J'hese celebrations, and the manner of conducting theim must be Jeft to the patriotism and iiitelligt>nce of the officers who have the more immediate charge of coimnon S( hools. It appears to the committee, that m one instance where the trustee of a school district had written an improper It-tterio the superintendent, lliat offi- cer foibade the pa) in^ over of any public money to him, as such trustee, atid by that means compelled him to resign his office. It is due to the ac- ting superinteiident to state, that upon refl(Ction he does not himself jus- titV tliis act b} any law. It is scarcely necessary to say that it was wholly U!iauthorised, In conchuliiig their report upon a subject which has afforded them no pleasure, the conuuittee cannot lorbear to commend the vigilance, hdelity, ifiduslry and ability displayed by the acting superintendent, in the dis- charge of the complicated «nd multifarious duties of his station. And be- lieving that the eiiors which have been pointed out, are mistakes of judg- ment, into many of which he was led b) tlie example o( lus predecessor, the committee arc uiianimoubiy ol opiniOHj thai the prayer of the petition- ers for his removal from office oni^ht not to be ijrfinteJ. And as they l»e- lievf the existing laws do ,.oi: nuthorise the acts complained of, they drv not perceive ihe necessity of retommendinji the papsa^^'e of any law ore the subject. Thej there- (ore ask to be discharj^ed from the further consid- eration of the petitions and comaiunications rei'eired to them. As R supplement to th€?c documents we may here note. thatconfessetUy in coiUinuHiioti of the proerts of the New York Stale Tract Society, the Neo- York Slate Braru h of (he American Tract Society, findinii their u?e of ihv ..M.isid tool, Mr. Secretary Y ites. somewhat deranged, have Iniely d siract Society. New 'York, and by the Ni w-York Slate Tract Society Albany," — and with no small art.il suothennii il.e circumstance of their defeat and chagrin, again, press Ir eir tracts and celebration parades upon the patronage of our school of- ficer? : but unlike the sdming liberality with which fhey commenced, (ia the distributioi? of" the Pensioner") they jjropose, with a limping apology for fiteir parsimojiy in «aving pos(age, To convert at once " the members of the legislature" (wiiiuJ s volentes, phant souls,) into grahiilous post'-idfrs for the Tract Society, — and sagaciously observe in pointed letters, that " If every school in the state should procure to the value of One Dollar of these books, and distribute them as rpwards at a school celebration^ they would not iail of promoting a taste for useful reading, and of produ- cing a pntuff-ful moral injiutnce.''''^ The natuj^e and residency of this ^^ inflwncf^'' we have already shewn, &: w'aii we mgbt farther expect when once the eyes of our youth are teught to -yzc intently upon these insidious works as substitutes for the bible and the ^ rw ss'-ngers of sahnt7on'^- (as they have sometimes been styled) we niny readily judge from the fact, that the American, alias the National Tract Societv wiiich now besets our schools, has recently awardled a PiiEMlUM OF FIFTY DOLLARS for the best Tiact "On the duty of professors of rfhgion, and especially those who have wealth, to (JOr»[- SECRATE THEIR PROPERTY to the spread of the gospel,"— or ia otijer words, to bhndiy strip their families and their creditors, mortgage * See their Circular. The follow ing is their form of a " Weekly report, which" (they sa^ ) " shouk!- be «f-nt to thf parents of all scholars wh' Iher entitled to tokens [of creciitj or not," to be proWu. ceil in public at the annual celebration ; — thus prepared to stive at once the double purpose -of api- eneer to make waj am; rf as _v sale for their tracts, and a terrific rod of official scorn to besit riowB the noble spirit oi' f very youth, who may have discernment ana independence enough to treat their hypocritical intrusions with merited contempt. " Weekly Report — 2 Tokens, redeemable in Books (viz. tracts) at the annual Celebration. This •ertifies that E F stands on the Cla^s List^ Ibis week, first in Geography, in writing.. in epelliog in reading, and in cyuferiu^ : entithng him, after dc-' ^acting FINES FOH MlSCOiNDUCT, t» credit fer two tokens." "2 -X. y, Te.&8i»pr- 40 and bequeath estates for wh.it their leaders call plowt purposes^ and poar cash by thousands into the capacious and expandiiiij pockets of the domi* nant clergy. The enormous "power" too, which they anticipate, can scarcely be conceived, but by a reference to the similar insidious progress and colos- sal .^'•''des of the Jesuits previous to their suppression, which merely char'ged the muigled current of church atjd state, but never purified the poisoned stream. We content ourselves with a few extracts from their history. " They [the Jesuits] adopted the same spirit of accommodation in their missionary undertakings ; and their Christianity, came!ion-hke. readily assumed the colour of every region where it happened to be introduced* They freely permitted their converts to retain a full proportion of the old superstitions, and suppressed without hesitation any point in the new faith -which was likely to bear hard on their prejudices or propensities." * * * " The professed intention of their new order was, to promote with un- equalled and unfettered zeal, the salvation of mankind. Its pro^jress, nev* ertheless, was at tirst remarkably slow." * * * '' They applied them- selves to every useful function and curious art ; and neither neglected nor despised any mode, however humble, of gaining employment or reputa- tion." * * * * " They labored with the greatest assiduity to qualify themselves as the instructors of youth ; and succeeded at length in sup- planting their opponents in every C'atholic kingdom." * * * " Whert Loyola, in 1540, petitioned the Pope to authorize the institution of the Jesuits, he had only ten disciples ; but in 1608, the number amounted, to 10,581. Before the expiration of the sixteenth century, they had ob- tained the chief direction of the education of youth in every Catholic county in Europe, and had become the confessors of almost all its no- blest monarchs. They i\\n% formed the minds of men In their youth, and retained the ascendency over them in their advanced years. They took part in every public measure, and possessed at different periods the di- rection of the principal courts in Europe." * * * " In 1710, they pos- sessed 24 professed houses, 59 houses of probation, 340 residences, 612 COLLEGES, 200 MISSIONS, 150 SEMINARIES, and 19,998 mem- bers,"* — and we may add, a wealth unrivalled and unexampled, and » POWER that encircled the civilized world with its chains. ■* S«e Edinburgh EncyclopasdiB, Volume Xf. pages 167— 169- To liberal minds, our cause needs no apolo.y ; buHhe ^^.^jiM,r c.ur aUrnsB'ons may require us to observe, th;U the subject i= iar rom Dtm exhau ted That\e close connection between the .mmed.ate cause of ?u colplaint, and the various parts of the range we l-- ta l7 grand concert of petitions poured into the house ^^ «^f '"^'^ !*> f'^^^V. Ixpresident Fitch of Ontario, the Onondaga Presbytery and the domi- nant clergy and their adherents in other parts of the state, for compellmg 42 tile observance of the Cliristifiii Sabbath, by closing the canal locks, pw^ hibitin;; the passage of steam boats, ire. on that day— which petitions were referred to a committee of which Mr. Finn of "Orange was chair- man. We have seen " the fear of the" clergy '' be'orc/jw eyes," — hi» Yain attempt to shutB-i ofT tlie responsibility of displeasin;^ his reverend friends, upon the Canal Commissioners — their judicious silence upon the subject — .ind his tampering, evasive report upon the s:tme subject, (viz. that of closing the canal locks upon the Sabbath) in which, with- out saying a word upon the constitutional objection to the petitions, he bow8 to the petitioners with this concession — " The committee consider iha due observance of the Sibbath and the precepts of Chriftfanii^ as of vast importance to the /?re5«rpah"on oyc/r// on^^er." — Why then, we ask, not grant the petitions? The principle reason which he assigns for refusing them, is but a poor excuse for his practice, sitice he has assumed the propriety of mingling the christian faith with legislative acts. It is lite- ?ally '* doing evil that good may come." The main argument is in sub- stance, that it would be the occasion of more wickedness and immorality to detain the boatg than to let them pnss. This position may be correct — bijt is that a coi)stitutional reason for rejecting the clerical petitions ? — is that a reason for a statesman to ^ive? No — Had the committee not been hoodvyinked — had they duly apprecia- ted the Charter of our rights, they would have said, 'while we remain a free state, your request can never be granted : — jt is inconsistent with the constitution and with rational liberty, to establish onp class of reli- gious worshippers above another, or to n^alce a law which shall compel the observance of any article of the Christian faith in preference to a conflicting article of the Mahometan, Jewish or any other cree^.' With such views, the point would have been settled at once, without the for- mality of calling upon the Canal Commissioners for information fcspecr ting the " conseqtiences''^ of closing the canal locks upon the Sabbath. This report exhibits indeed, the majesty of our constitution — its pow- erful control even upon the minds of bigots ; that, in the very actofeva- fling the spirit and meaning of that instrument, they should be constraiiJr ed most unwillingly to obey iho letter. We have been more U-ce in our remarks upon this ambiguous report of Mr. Finn, because we h ive found this very man, in a niost decided shape, the author of a hill before the house, which " authorizes justi- ces of the peace to issue subpoenas, requiring the attendance of witnes- ses, before a consistory or any other church authority, when charges are made against a member of a church, for which he is to be tried by such authority." Who is there so blind as not to see the character (if not direct inten- ti'on) of this bill ? What is it but to invest the clergy with the pontifical robe and mitre by an act of statp — to give an air of dignity and an usage of power to their ecclesiastical tribunals — to legalize their slanders and oppression — to enable them