The Union Debate.

Last night the Harvard Union held its usual bi-weekly meeting and in spite of the rainy weather, a fair attendance was present. The question for debate was, Resolved. That the Parochial School System is dangerous to American institutions. The vote on the merit of the question was taken. The result was, affirmative, 34; negative, 16. Mr. Platt, '88, was the first speaker for the affirmative. He contended that religion and education should be kept free from each other. Education belongs alone to the State and does not concern the church. If the parochial school system were adopted, the influence of the Catholic clergy would be exerted in compelling men to send their children to the parochial schools instead of public ones, against their will. The Catholic church seeks to control the State, and there is no reason why a general tax on the people should be appropriated to promulgate a special faith.

Mr. Colson, '89, for the negative declared that parochial schools were free and open to all denominations, and that all religious creeds were clamoring for parochial schools. Youths of to-day were growing up in infidelity and atheism, and that the institutions of the country depended upon the morality and integrity of the American, which in their turn would only be developed by religious teaching.

Mr. Hessletine, '88, for the affirmative, confined his remarks to the Episcopal churches. The time is rapidly approaching when there will be one universal church, but this would be destroyed if the parochial school system went into effect. One of the greatest successes in this country has been the public school.

Mr. Williams, '88, for the negative, said that of all prejudices, the religious ones are the bitterest, most vindictive and tenacious. He repudiated the attacks made by the affirmative on the baneful influence of the Catholic church and clergy, the assertion that Catholic parochial schools would be disloyal, utterly false. Moral training without religious teaching has very little effect.

There were a number of speakers from the floor. The vote on merits of argument was: Affirmative, 25; negative, 26. The question for debate at the next meeting is: "Resolved, that the Land Tax of Henry George should be adopted."