Fair Play

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 3, 1913

HAVE Catholics equal rights before the law with their Protestant neighbors? Should the members of the Catholic Church be afforded equal opportunities as teachers in the public schools with members of the Protestant churches? According to the newspapers this is a question which has been under discussion in Charlotte, N. C., during the last few days. The Washington Post of June 23, says:—

“By a vote of ten to five the school board of Charlotte, the largest city of North Carolina, at its meeting last week discharged the Misses Mary and Helen Clifford as teachers on the ground that they are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

“This action was taken after a public hearing, at which pleas in behalf of the young women were made by prominent Protestant clergymen, a half-dozen of the leading lawyers of Charlotte, and other well-known citizens. Mayor Bland will appeal to the school board not to discharge the Misses Clifford.

“No secret was made of the reasons for the removal of the young women. It was admitted that they were efficient teachers, and that no charges had been made against their character.

“After listening for three hours to arguments for and against the young women, the school board promptly dismissed them.”

In the eyes of the law all citizens are accorded equal liberties, privileges, and opportunities. The Constitution wisely provides that no religious test should be required, and that one's religious faith or church affiliation should not bar him from the full rights of citizenship or the holding of public office. Of course where one's religious faith leads him to commit uncivil acts, that is an entirely different question. In that case the transgressor must be dealt with on the basis of incivility, because of his transgression of the civil law, rather than for his religious faith.

If the report given is correct, and these teachers at Charlotte, N. C., were discharged from the public school solely because they were members of the Catholic Church, then the action of the Charlotte school board was entirely wrong, and wholly un-American.

On the other hand, if they were holding their position as teachers to advance the special work of the church to which they belong, we can see justification in the action of the board. Supposing them innocent of this, it is gratifying to know that there were Protestant clergymen and others in Charlotte who raised their voices against this violation of guaranteed liberties.

Roman Catholics are entitled to fair play, the same as Protestants; and the tables should not be turned against them in any locality through the advantage of numbers. Protestants should accord to Catholics the same liberties they ask for themselves. This is simple justice and equity.