Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-12-23
4 nsiine.

Considerable stir has been recently created
in our quiet village. by the summary dismissal
OF the assistant teacher in the Normal School
His class has been engaged for some time
past, upon the subject OF constitutional Law
and in Lyceum Lecture before the scholars.
he discussed the constitutionality OF one OF the
Rules Of the school. requiring the pupils to at
tend church twice on sunday; coniendng that
1t WAS inconsistent with the constitutional pro-
vision securing to all religious freedom.
This gave great offence to the Principal, who
immediately called together the superiutend. Mt
and two OF the Trustees; and the case wa, in
Nesiigated by them, and the teacher dismi. se,i
Nothing very objection abe could probably be
found AZ aims, him as the Committee were com
PEELED TO iHreHt n reason for their action.
The teacher in his lecture, called in question
the cousttu,ionality Of the rule-no, the pro-
pricty or utility OF attending church with prop
er motives.
The resolution states a. the cause Of removal,
opposition TO the proper observance OF Sunday,
The teacher removed. i. OF the Liberal Faith;
and i the only one OF tina; order. that has been
employed.since the establishment Of the school.
lie has found, it is supposed. an uncongenial
element in that institution.
Those who have been conver,ant with the
school hsye been aware for a long time, Of it.
strong sectarian cast, and it i hoped that re-
cent events may lead 10 a thorough lnvesiiga-
ton Of its character in that regard, and prompt
application Of the proper remedy.
The Blaine Amendment is well timed.
Dec. l1ih 1875. AMI sEcrARiAN.
We know nothing Of the controversy
above referred 10, except the facts contain
ed in the communication OF our correspond
ent Anti Sectarian," and shall await aud
publish with pleasure anything which may
be forwarded In reply.
IL Is easy 10 perceive however, that I'M
less great forbearance, wisdom, and chsrl-
~ is observed on both sides the usefulness
of the Eastern Maine Normal School may
be seriously impaired result which every
friend Of Education will deeply deplore.
rule similar TO the one which has called
forth the animal version OF the Instructor.
prevails In nearly all the colleges OF the
country and in very many OF the larger man
utacturing establishments, as conducive to
good order, good morals, and a proper OBJ
seryance OF the Sabbath. Although igno.
raut of the facts, we cannot forbear wing
that in our opinion, it was hardly !ustifia-
bic or in good taste for 4 teacher TO accept
4 position in a school and then TO the pupils
criticise as unconstitutional, a regulation
made by his superiors for his and their
government IL would seem that the trus-
tees were the proper authorities before
whom to impeach an obnoxious rule. On
the other hand, il as Is intimated, Sectarlan
teaching is allowed and introduced into the
Normal School, the sooner it is known the
better. We await with anxiety further in
formation, hoping that moderation, good
sense. and fairness will characterize the
communications OF our correspondents.
With this understanding, our columns are
open to full discussion of the question.