Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-01-06
CAsrINE, Dec. 3lst, 1875.

Mr.. Editor:
| had hoped TO avoid controversy. but proper
respect for the truth prompts me to offer you
few facts in reply TO the communication OF Mr..
johnson in your issue Of Dec. Both. Mr.. John
sons Imagination is much more active tn an
his memory. Questions were put to me at the
meeting OF the Inspectory Committee i'm regard
10 my denunciation of the regulation enforcing
church attendance, and were unhesitatingly
answered. But the questions which Mr. John
son reports As having been propou nded to me
were not. and had they been | could not, n |
will make manifest, have trutkfuuy answered
in the accommodating manner which Mr. John
son finds so agreeable TO his mind
| was invited TO the meeting of the commit
tee by Mr.. j. W. Dresser who dcc.ptively in
formed me that school regulations'' would be
the subject of discussion. The meet ing opened
| found that was the subject of discussion
The Principal was invited 10 offer his com
plant, and. referring to NV soc He'd insubor-
dinaton he likcned the school to a fountain
sending forth M the same time sweet waters
and bitter. replied by reading from nv lect-
ure which had given him so much offence
What said TO the students was a follows ::
Those who would engage in the teachers
work should be thoroughly permested by a
comprehensive religious idea. Ons that robs
neither God nor man Of true dignity. Ability
to teach the truth must come from, real effort
10 find the truth. and upon teachers more than
upon others, Is placed the duty Of studying
truth in all her aspects. Remember too it Il
your duty TO be independent in your religious
thought, rcpelling at once the slightest en-
croachment." then quoted the coercye part
of the unconstitutional regulation Of the school,
following that directly by a quotation OF sec
tons, and Of Art. OF the Constitution OF
the State OF Maine. | then gave my reasons for
calling attention TO the matter. l,t. Because
the regulation i plainly unconstitutional. "a.
As the Normal School is a State Institution the
regulation steals the sanction Of the State to an
intolerant criticism OF all who cannot endorse
It. 81, The regulation inyades individual
right.
The rest Of myIlecture filling some thirty
i've pages Of note paper was occupied in set
ting forth the duties Of patriotism and rever-
ence. Not a word, in it all. was said advising
students 10 disregard the regulation. ca the
do so voluntarily. Thus you see that the re.o-
ntion OF the Committee starts with afalschood:
it also represents me as Directing 70 a proper
Observance OF the Sabbath. and the charge OF
sareating reason for my dismissal has not
been answered.
The right Of the committee to question me in
any way to what said 10 an indiriiaal ca-
pacity, before the Lyceum. denied and still
deny. Informed the Committeeman ,hi, is
the statement which Mr.. johnson wrests to
suit himsclf-that | intended 10 enlightcn my
fellow-men upon this or any other topic. in
every way allowed me under the Constitution
and the laws Much has been said pro and
con, in regard to the propriety OF my action, OF
which | will say, that, / know OF no law Of
good manners, no constitution or statute that
calls upon man to hold his peace when con-
science demands it, denied and rightful free
dom. j. l.. ARSorT.