Fix this text
THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 4.—No. 45.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1880.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this textSATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1880.
Fix this textNonconformist Uniformity.
Fix this textThe Herald has let the cat out of the bag. The
Fix this textEducation Act was never meant, it now transpires,
Fix this textto mete out equal justice to all. It was devised,
Fix this textand is to be maintained, as a now Act of Uniformity.
Fix this textWith its assistance all the rising generation are to
Fix this textbe indoctrinated with just so much dogma as
Fix this textsuffices to turn out an orthodox Protestant dis-
Fix this textsenter on the Congregationalist model. The
Fix this textchildren are to be taught no more religion in the
Fix this textState schools, but they are to be taught no less.
Fix this textThe great organ of the Congregationalists cannot
Fix this textbelieve, will not believe, that any attempt is being
Fix this textmade to secularize the course of study. There is
Fix this textno doubt that in being sceptical for once, the
Fix this textHerald is for once right. No such attempt is
Fix this textbeing made. But if it be imagines that, because
Fix this textthe Education department administers the Act in
Fix this textaccordance with its letter, no attempt to secularize
Fix this textthe Act will be made, the idea- is a
Fix this textdelusion. The outcry which has been raised
Fix this textagainst the ' imagined secularization of the
Fix this textcurriculum will serve to open a good many eyes,
Fix this textand hosts of people who helped in the demand for
Fix this textfree, secular, and compulsory education
Fix this textwill at length perceive how they have
Fix this textbeen made cat’s-paws of, and tricked out
Fix this textof the substantial object of their desires.
Fix this textThe Act provides nominally for secular
Fix this texteducation, but by some “devilish cantrap
Fix this textsleight,” secular education is interpreted
Fix this textas meaning “ general religious teaching.”
Fix this textWhoever slipped this sly interpretation
Fix this textinto the Act was artful beyond doubt.
Fix this textBut among his arts, the art of definition
Fix this textwas not prominent. Dictionaries define
Fix this textsecular to mean ‘ ‘ pertaining to things
Fix this textnot spiritual or holy.” The concoctor of
Fix this textthe interpretation clause in the Instruc-
Fix this texttion Act defines it to mean “ general re-
Fix this textligious teaching.” And what, in the name
Fix this textof all that is precise, does general religious
Fix this textteaching mean ? According to the
Fix this textHerald’s lights, the public is apparently
Fix this textcalled upon to believe that general
Fix this textreligious teaching means expressly what
Fix this textis contained in the Irish National School
Fix this textBook series. These have become for the
Fix this textnonce the Instruction Act Fanatics’Bible.
Fix this textBut unless the Herald lays and enforces
Fix this texta claim to plenary inspiration and Papal
Fix this textauthority, people will venture still to
Fix this textthink a little for themselves. The right
Fix this textof private judgment is not yet wrenched
Fix this textfrom people who think differently from
Fix this textthe professed advocates of the right of
Fix this textprivate judgment. What on earth, then,
Fix this textis general religious teaching? Is it anolla-
Fix this textpodrida of isms, from Mahommedanism
Fix this textto Mormonism P The phrase is absolutely
Fix this textincapable of exact definition, and can
Fix this textonly be interpreted by the voice of
Fix this textauthority. But wo thought that we had
Fix this textbeen struggling all this time, with the
Fix this textHerald as standard-bearer, to shake off
Fix this textonce and for aH from this free colony the
Fix this textpower of authority in matters of religion.
Fix this textIt appears that we have shaken off the
Fix this textinfluence of Pope and Prelate, the in-
Fix this texttrusion of the Missal and Bible in our
Fix this textschools, merely to submit ourselves to
Fix this textHigh Priest Parkes and the Gospel
Fix this textaccording to the Herald. Jew,
Fix this textRat’unalist, and Papist are enjoined to
Fix this textbow down before the new Head of the
Fix this textFaith, and to gorge the freshly revised
Fix this textGospel according to the inspired series
Fix this textof Irish National School Books, without
Fix this textmalcontent murmurs. The genuine secu-
Fix this textlarist who has been tricked into partici-
Fix this textpating in an Act of oppression which he
Fix this textdespises, and against which all his prin-
Fix this textciples revolt, is to be cajoled into quies-
Fix this textcence and conformity by the bamboozle-
Fix this textment of a false interpretation of the plain
Fix this textword “ secular.” The Jew is to share
Fix this textin the “equal rights” and “no offence
Fix this textto any,” about which so many handsome
Fix this textlies have been written, by having his
Fix this textchildren proselytized in the schools which
Fix this texthe is taxed to support. The Catholic
Fix this textnnd Anglican, whom cajoling has failed
Fix this textto blind, are to be throttled off by the
Fix this textdictum that the majority must rule.
Fix this textThat is to say the old appeal to
Fix this texthrute force has been renewed, and
Fix this textfor ecclesiastical domination and
Fix this texttyranny, the domination and tyranny of the Con-
Fix this textventicle is to be substituted. The new rule will
Fix this textdoubtless be milder than the old, but the principle
Fix this textunderlying the assertion of right to prevail is the
Fix this textsame unaltered outrage, whether advanced by a
Fix this textPope or a Congregationalist union; whether
Fix this textsupported by the casuistry of a Jesuit or of a
Fix this textMethodist, whether enforced by an Inquisition or
Fix this texta Parliamentary majority. A scheme ®f education
Fix this textwhich is truly free and secular is what the united
Fix this textvoices of multitudes of the people, differing
Fix this textradically on points of belief, declared to be
Fix this textrequired as equitable and necessary. No man
Fix this textcould justly complain that he should bo required
Fix this textto have his children grounded in secular know-
Fix this textledge, and that he should pay, through the common
Fix this textfunds, his share of the expense of such instruction.
Fix this textThat was the principle which won the support of
Fix this textfair and liberal-minded men. The State, they
Fix this textheld, had no business to teach creeds, because on
Fix this textsuch matters there exists no ground common to
Fix this textall members of the State Such, too, were the
Fix this textprofessions of the very men who now insist that
Fix this textState teaching shall not be secular. The schools,
Fix this textthey declare, must turn out good sound, evangeli-
Fix this textcal Protestants. No more religion must be taught,
Fix this textbut no less ! What is this but the establishment
Fix this textof proselytizing machinery throughout the world P
Fix this textIt is as if the State undertook to provide the
Fix this textchildren daily with a wholesome plain meal,
Fix this texttowards the cost of which all parents should be
Fix this textcompelled equally to contribute. Fanciful parents,
Fix this textwho considered that plain food was not enough for
Fix this texttheir children, would bo at liberty to sup-dement
Fix this textthese meals, but at their own expense. One thing,
Fix this texthowever, was earnestly promised—that the food
Fix this textwould be such as all could eafyJ»l''..hout._o£ l ?ncc
Fix this textcaste rules 6, ’V-e> ual y the
Fix this textmess is blended with pork, and Jewish parents are
Fix this textcoolly told that if they object, they can provide
Fix this textseparate dinners at their own expense. The Roman
Fix this textCatholics, who have ever held (to continue the
Fix this textfigure) that pork without beans is injurious to the
Fix this textconstitution, are insulted with a similar answer to
Fix this textall complaint. What is this but oppression ? The
Fix this textInstruction Act, as it stands, embodies a fraud
Fix this textperpetrated upon all men of liberal sentiment who
Fix this texthelped in the struggle for universal, free, and
Fix this textsecular instruction which should be fair to all.
Fix this textSuch men will be no parties to perpetuating a
Fix this textproselytizing Act. They will fling in the faces of
Fix this textexultant “nonconformists” this new Act of Uni-
Fix this textformity, and lash them with the lie which their
Fix this textactions in their day of power gives to the pro-
Fix this textfessions dating from their time of depression.
Fix this textThe country must brace itself for a new struggle,
Fix this textwhen combinations will be different, but the
Fix this textbattle-cry unchanged. The Instruction Act must
Fix this textbe purged of the deceit which has been insinuated
Fix this textinto its provisions, and purified till State education
Fix this textbecomes what honest supporters meant it to be —
Fix this textFair, Free, and Sbculae —but not Independent.
Fix this textMr. Henry Cary Dangar, M.P.
Fix this textThe results of the general election give indica-
Fix this texttions of splendid possibilities. The whole of the
Fix this textMinistry and most of their thick-and-thin sup-
Fix this textporters and followers have been returned; and in
Fix this textaddition many men, comparatively young and pos-
Fix this textsessed of very vigorous minds, have been chosen
Fix this textas representatives of tho people. This discrimi-
Fix this text(mating action of the publie mind gives intimations
Fix this textfchat there has been recently a political awakening,
Fix this textnd that men who enjoy the privileges of the fran-
Fix this textbise ar( a rot likely to misuse it greatly. Anima-
Fix this text•on has cceeded apathy, and a refreshing enthu-
Fix this text. s t -:« Q ive pervaded most of the elec-
Fix this texttorates. Ail this seems to show, ax .etoreaieutionod,
Fix this textthat our reformed Parliament should be a good
Fix this textone, more earnest in duty and much more moral
Fix this textin act than any of its predecessors since the
Fix this textinauguration of Responsible Government in this
Fix this textcolony. The triumphs of an independent vote and
Fix this textthe clear expression of genuine approval have been
Fix this textnowhere more creditably manifested than in East
Fix this textSydney; and in the results of that magnificent
Fix this textdemonstration, the position given to Mr. Henry
Fix this textCary Dangar, whose portrait adorns our first page
Fix this textin to-day’s issue, is one of the most significant.
Fix this textThat a man of culture, energy, and refinement,
Fix this texta native of Sydney, should have been for three
Fix this textyears ostracised from public because ho would not
Fix this textbetray his convictions or adapt his political prin-
Fix this textciples to suit popular taste in the spirit of a craven
Fix this textrecusancy %vas a matter for general regret. He
Fix this texthad done good parliamentary service for
Fix this textWest Sydney, still (in 1877) he was rejected
Fix this textby an effervescent majority of the electors, and
Fix this textMessrs. Morriman, Cameron, O’Connor, and Harris
Fix this textwere returned —four good men in their own way,
Fix this textbut not one of whom had the special legislative
Fix this textabilities of Mr. Dangar. His career from
Fix this texthis youth upwards has been marked and
Fix this texttoned by studious habits. As a boy at
Fix this textschool, in Sydney, ho is said to have
Fix this textdistinguished himself; and afterwards, at the
Fix this textUniversity of Cambridge, in England, he was
Fix this textamongst the most resolute readers of his time.
Fix this textHe subsequently studied law, and was admitted to
Fix this textthe bar of New South Wales in 1854. His energetic
Fix this texttemperament did not seem to find full play in
Fix this textforensic pursuits ; we accordingly find him
Fix this textdevoting those abilities which ho possesses in a
Fix this texthigh degree to ntercantilo business, and we need
Fix this texthardly say that the house of which ho is the decus
Fix this textet tutamen —that of Dangar, Gedyo, and Co. —is
Fix this textone of the most respectable and influential in
Fix this textAustralia. Mr. Dangar has ever been a liberal
Fix this textpatron of field-sports, and we remember with
Fix this textproud satisfaction how nobly ho acted in sending,
Fix this textor being the chief agent in the transaction, an
Fix this textAustralian rifle-team to Philadelphia at a cost of
Fix this textover J3IOUO, and who did honour to New South
Fix this textWales. Other objects of his benevolence or his
Fix this textbounty could be cited, but as, like the
Fix this texttypical man of Ross, his modesty would
Fix this textrebel against all flattering allusions tohia
Fix this textliberality, we shall not further touch on
Fix this textthat delicate subject. We have said
Fix this textenough—perhaps more than enough—to
Fix this textprove that he is a clever, practical man,
Fix this textand a good citizen. Not to say so much
Fix this textwould be to conceal what should be
Fix this textgenerally known. Mr. Dangar will make
Fix this texta useful member of the Assembly. He
Fix this textis not given to “ blowing,” and never at-
Fix this texttempts mere declamation. Ho can put
Fix this texthis view forward with considerable clear-
Fix this textness and force ; but he eschews all rhe-
Fix this texttorical parade. As a committee-man,
Fix this textwhen in Parliament before, he made him-
Fix this textself felt and appreciated, and he certainly,
Fix this textby word and example, tried to keep up
Fix this textthe social tone of hon. members in their
Fix this textrelations with each other. His views on
Fix this textthe extension of municipal government
Fix this textare thorough and economic; and ho has
Fix this textcertainly announced his opinions from the
Fix this textEast Sydney hustings on the land ques-
Fix this texttion, with a perspicuity and vigour that
Fix this textmust have surprised some of his hearers
Fix this text—the Hon. Premier especially. “ The
Fix this textland question,” Mr. Dangar is reported
Fix this textto have said, “ was one which ho referred
Fix this textto almost with terror. No fresh legisla-
Fix this texttion on it was foreshadowed ; and it might
Fix this textbo that they would bo again called upon
Fix this textto exercise the great right they possessed
Fix this textbefore fresh legislation was attempted
Fix this textin this direction. In his judgment these
Fix this textthree Acts, which made up the Land Act,
Fix this textshould be repealed, and we should have
Fix this textone entirely new and comprehensive
Fix this textmeasure.” Here was a distinct enunci-
Fix this textation of conclusions, which several legis-
Fix this textlators will arrive at. Equally bold was
Fix this textMr. Dangar’s advice to the electors to
Fix this textexercise the franchise conscientiously.
Fix this textHis words on this and another point are
Fix this textworthy of careful perusal. “ The pro-
Fix this textgress of every country,” he said, “the
Fix this texthappiness and well-being of every com-
Fix this textmunity depended upon the exorcise of the
Fix this textgreat privilege the electors possessed,
Fix this textand it devolved upon them not to abuse
Fix this textthis power, and on the candidates to ex-
Fix this textamine their own hearts and consciences
Fix this textas to whether they wdto worthy the trust
Fix this textthey would have imposed upon them. He
Fix this textdid not present himself to them to-day,
Fix this texthe hoped with any unworthy motive, nor
Fix this textdid he pretend to expect office; but he
Fix this textdid pretend to the possession of that
Fix this textcommon sense which could discriminate
Fix this textbetween right and wrong —between that
Fix this textwhich was expedient and that better left
Fix this textalone.” His peroration was also in good
Fix this texttaste, as it gave the electors a guarantee
Fix this textof his sincerity by teUing them that this
Fix this textwas the country of his birth, the country
Fix this textwhere his children were born, which pos-
Fix this textsessed all that for him could make life
Fix this textenjoyable, and he pledged them his
Fix this textword that ho would do everything he
Fix this textpossibly could to promote their interests,
Fix this texthis own interests, and those of the
Fix this textcountry, and to do that which should
Fix this textsend New South Wales to the front in the race
Fix this textgoing on between it and the rest of Australia,
Fix this textBroken Off.
Fix this text“ Incounc," a correspondent, sends us the following
Fix this textOur young ladies have discovered that it is both a very
Fix this textpleasant and a very profitable thing to be ‘‘engaged,”
Fix this textMR. HENRY CARY DANGAR, M.P.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-242242684
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved June 16, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-242242684
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 16 June 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-242242684>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 16 June 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-242242684
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 4 No. 45 (4 Dec 1880)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-242242684
| id=nla.obj-242242684
| access-date=16 June 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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