Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-01-30
tFor the Sunbury Amsrlcan1



Dear sir:--In looking over the columns Of the
"Americann Of the 10Th inst L observed communication
over the signature of J. j. RElHzSsNIprR in which he
quotes from the published report Of the Teach
crs Institute, adding ''As there doubt that the
worthy Secretary misunderstood the gentlemen referred
to, thought it might be nece..ary and nothing but
p! justice TO msSe public correction of the statement
Th-se gentlemen not opposed to rhetorical resdrg
3. they only opposed 10 thst raniing, bombas-
tic m1ckcry Of rhetorical Tcadrg which unfortunately is
times substituted for true rhetorical reading" After
reading the above examined the minutes, as akcn down
the meeting of the institute and find in the original
manuscript, the following:
"The subject OF teaching reading being di,cussedMr
UP did think rhetorical reading well adapted to the
common schools Professor Mcfarland followed in sur
port of Mr. Ulps position" The former gave his
SON that, "rups taught to read in that manner usually
read all pieces IN that way, even advertisements IN newA-
papers This distinctly rencmser And the prolcss7s
! Arguments amounted to the same ih"g.
1t ia not my provence to Judge whether the "worhy
Secretary has the faculties Of not they
may be ordinary perhaps least, thing do know,
he was actuaed by honest motives.
also find that il was said in the debate in the mOraing
session Of the 2d day. and the minutes read and
adopted in the afternoon session, without any objection
agas, them by any therefore they were published
verbatim II tn, gentlemen ''were only opposed to thar
rantiug bombastc macsery Of rhetorical reading" why
did they give sample of their nodus oPerandI Of "true
rhetorical reading ''
believed then and still believe, that, what they said
was lnd!rcc, criticism Of the mnnneI IN which several
pieces teud
Believing the presiding officer TO lie actuaed by other
than honorable motives and hut following the dictates
what he conceived ste be bnt simple Justice say
but with all defcren.e for the genenans opinion that
there is room to doubt whether the Secretary mislnder-
stood the gentlemen OF 1t frequently happens that
THAT which is said in debate, second thought would
not be-
There sge many respectfully educated gentlemen, WHO
are opposed teaching rhetorical reading by rules
wei educated and beyond doubt an excellent teacher,
rcalke ed t, me the other day that he opposed all
and any rhetorical nnnoalion whatever, yet says he,
teach it Is this criminal Is it wrong' Certainly not
He has right to his opinion, whether they be well found
ed OF not well any Neither need the gentle.
men referred TO- fear ANY mnrons results account OF
their opinion from any enlightened community II NOT
their opuion anu not responsible for it Why did they
say il! | published the minutes read and adopted
without paT,ay for any one save, the gentlemen whc
labured TO prove that, struck,n active
tive verb this did insert the report for il
error too egregious. To the gentlemen REFERRED hav,
nothing but the kndes regard and well wishes for ,ke
personal welfare being favoruby impressed with the ami
able and geutemauly department OF each ndetdsu mucl
SO that am proud to hail them friends cherish
golden rule too well seek do either injury ID
TO others as you would that others should do to you"
| have the hOn-r 10 be, Yours, &c.
wv. WEEKS.