EDUCATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 247, 24 July 1872, Page 3

EDUCATION.

To the Editor of the Thames Guardian. Sir, —In your paper of the 22nd instant I notice a letter signed “ Vox,” asking what is true liberty, and in the latter part of it, lie says that if ic becomes law that secular education should lie made compulsory we take away the liberty we have hitherto enjoyed. “ Vox” seems to take his stand on the fact of the majority being small that was in favor of the amendment. “It was a decided majority at any rate.” Let us look at this question fairly. In I this country all are free to enjoy their own opinion as to their religious creeds or dogmas—whatever they may he. It is quite right that they should be. It is also quite right that tho teaching of all these different dogmas should he paid for by the members of each different sect. The Government do not object to them doing that. In a political point of view, I think the Government can safely adopt any other system than the secular, when \ve look round, and observe, and rend of tlie antagonistic attitude that is assumed by different sectarian bodies. Then as regards the compulsory clause. I believe it means that if any citizen neglects his children to that extent that lie does not send them to any school, then tho Bill decides that they shall attend the public school, and I think it is a very just provision for tlie welfare of neglected children ; and all lovers of true liberty I think will approve of it. I cannot therefore agree with “ Vox;" for I should rather say that it takes away the tyranny of the fatheror guardian of tlie children, who, but for this clause, would keep the child or children in total ignorance. Then as to what is “ True Liberty.” It consists, in the first place, of having the happiness of living under a just and liberal government, where the’interests of all are considered in the measures that are carried in the parliament of the country ; where “ class rule” is not allowed to predominate on any side ; where all can feel their lives, their homes, their properties are safe ; that all arc at liberty to speak and think as their conscience may dictate on social, moral, and religious questions —so long as they do not interfere with the rights and* privileges of their fellow citizens. True liberty means a government composed of the representatives of tho whole of the people. It means that all owning the same rights and privileges, no class, no sect can interfere with another—.hat all being upon an equal footing as regards the laws made and provided for the maintenance of peace and order, that all are* bound, as good citizens, to give the aid. in support of these laws, and all lovers of true liberty will be ready to do so if needed. I think true liberty means the privilege of uniting to promote the intellectual requirements of the rising generation by sound education, free from all sectarianism.—l am, &c., X.Y.Z. July 22, 1872.