Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-06-02
Rolrdoin I,,s,rrrection.

On Friday, May %, the two lower
classes in Bowdowin College refused TO
submit to their accustomed military drill.
and they were joined the day following
by the iuniors-all but two Of the l4S
students signing pledge to never again
drill in College. The faculty endeavored
to setllo the matter quietly, but the boys
stood By their resolution. and would
make no compromise. On Tuesday, tho
members OF the three lower classes were
summoned to appear before the faculty,
and were Individually asked if they would
submit to the rules of the College. Two
members replied. they would. The others,
refusing TO obey the rule requiring mill
tary drill, were ordered TO leave town.
Il is understood that these students-be'
tween 90 and 100 in number-are neither
suspended nor expelled, but sent home to
await The action OF the faculty.
There seems to DC no other course
which the faculty could have pursued. If
they had submitted TO the demands OF
these rebellious students in this particular,
they would be constantly liable to trouble
from like action, whenever the boys were
dissatisfied, and all discipline would be
destroyed.
The affair is creating quite sensation
throughout the country, particularly in
this State and Massachusetts. While
many doubt the utility OF enforced mill
tary drill. only three OF our exchanges
sympaihize with the action taken by the
students. The general impression of dis
interested parties seems TO be, that as the
drill was part of the course when these
students were admitted, it was their duty
70 mit,-hOweyer irksome or distas;e-
lul it might have become-oy leave the
the College.
The tendency, 50 prevalent at present,
to throw of all authority or to resort TO
force on every occasion where authority
is considered oppressive, or where indi
yidual rights are inlTinged, instead Of
employing the more slow and legitimate
methods OF law and petition, should be
checked. 1t is the same spirit which led
to the disturbances in Louisiana and Ar
kansas, to the disgracelul affair in Bidde-
ford in our own State. and to the recent
Uprisings Of The people, ayeuging the
death of murderer's victim. Il ali leads
to anarchy. We must live under rules
and laws. ~ times these laws may seem
oppressive and burdensomc, but the rem
edy does not lie in force. Either redress
should be obtained by peaceable meaus,or
the oppressed should remove from the
jurisdiction of those who invade his
rights.
Last Friday the faculty sent the follow.
ins letter TO the parents Of the students
who had been rus,icated, as their final
decision.
If your son will sign the enclosed
blank. renewing in good lai.h and with
ont reservation his matricu,ation pledge
OF obedience to the laws and reg latonS
OF the college. and forward it to the
Presiden, within ten days from date, he
will be allowed TO return and resume his
place in his class, and this he will be ex.
pectod TO do without further delay. 1.-The
does no, do this he must consider himself
by the act OF refusal rs expelled from the
college ut the expiration Of the ten days.
II he concludes 10 return to his duty and
his objections 10 the drill are not removed,
he can at the end of this term but not be
lore receive IN honorable dismission and
20 10 some other college"