Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-10-23
The Educational Flhrry in
Hayesville.

EDITOR TIMES: An attempt having
been made to reinstate DIR. Diefendorf
in Vermillion Institute, and failing, is
creating quite a sensation in Hayesville.
When the Doctor returned to the viii
lage. some time ago, desire to have
him again identified with the school
was manifested. Accordingly COM
mittee was appointed by the citizens to
wait upon Prof. Martin, the present
President, to ascertain if. arrangements
could be made to aYes<A6eoetor asso-
ciated with him. The negotiation be-
tween the committee and Prof. Martin
failing in its object, the proposition was
carried to the Board of Trustees, by
whom it was also rejected. The friends
of the Doctor seemed indignant over
this and called meeting of the citizens
whem the Doctor addressed at consid-
cradle length, vindicating himself as to
certain charges made against him by
the Beard. He also remarked that he
no more expected to have anything to
do with Vermilion Institute, when he
came here than he expected to take a
trip to the moon, and God forbid that
he should lay straw in its way. On
the evening of the 9th, another meet
ing was held at which the action of the
Board was condemned and the abilities
and better qualities of the Doctor were
delineated in way to leave the impress
sion that he had been impolitely treated.
The Doctor, himself, announced that he
would open an independent school, if
the citizens would guarantee the pay
ment of tuition of difinite number of
pupils.
There is quite diversity of opinion
about the questions involved. Some
say the Doctors actions are at variance
with some of his declarations, while
others think the Board has infringed
upon their rights. But whether the one
or the other is right we do not presume
to say, but we do assert that either the
one or the other is mistaken. But from
our knowledge we judge that the Board
could not have acted otherwise, for, If
we are correctly informed, there is a
cont act by which Prof. Martin holds
the Presidency of the institution for
eighteen months from hast June.
Subsequently there has been another
meeting held, at which the legal right
of the Presbyterian Church to the
grounds and buildings of the college
was discussed, and committee ap-
pointed to employ counsel, and now it
seems the way is opening for litigation.
As to the rights legally, we have moth
ing to say, but we incline the opinion
that somebody is stalking a leap in
the dark" and should the question ever
have to be discussed by legal gentle
man the history of Vermillion will be
recorded in the journals of the court in
as glaring manner as that recorded by
the Rev. Diefendorf himself.
Now, as to the right to assemble and
discuss questions of a public nature
none will doubt; but as to the propriety
of discussing the private character OF
individuals, rs has been done in some
of those meetings, there is much doubt.
Judging from effects already produced,
there are reasons to fear worse, for 1t
has caused dissention in the church and
as we are informed, the pastor has ten
dered his resignation. Taking the whole
we are inclined to think it is strange
conduct for those Rev. Seniors who pro-
fess to be light to the world. Whether
we shall have an extra school in Hayes
Vile remains to be seen. We are in
formed an effort is making to raise
I funds for the Docter.-Ashland Times.