Huntsville gazette., 1889-12-07
Primitive Baptists' Appeal.

Primitive Baptists' Appeal.
Huntsville Church, Nov. %, 1889
Mr.. Editor;
After divine services were con
cluded a special call was made to-
the brethren of the said church t.
meet at 7.3O pm. to discuss thu
best method Of answering severa
letters from the Hon. Principal o.
the State Normal School, among
which is the following, verbatim:
| State Normal School,
Huntsville, Ala, Nov. 25, 1889. I
Dear Sir-The document demand
ing position in this school for fe-
male teacher Of your sect, which
was signed by you and others, and
forwarded to the Superintendent OF
Education at Montgomery, has been
returned to me for respectful consid-
Grafton.
In reply l will state.
l. Neither politics nor denomina-
tionalism has ever been considered
among the necessary qualifications OF
the teachers of this school. These
things have never had the lcas,
weight, either for or against an ap
plicant. Moral, educational, indus-
trial, christian competency alone are
considered in the selection Of our
teachers.
2. Five different denominations
arc represented in our present facul-
| ty, which fact was not known, or
sought to be known, previous to
engaging their services.
8. While the institution is now
purely non sectarian, yet, were we
10 accede to your demands and put
in teacher because such teacher is a
member of your denomination, We
would not only be sectarianizing the
Institution, but would be unfit to
manage such great and growing
school. However, if you have a
competent teacher, send in the ap'
plication at the proper time and |
am quite sure that our excellent
Board will be glad to give it impair
tial consideration.
A. We challenge the proof that
either political or sectarian influence
has ever been exercised over teachers
or pupils of this school. Both teach
ers and pupils come from the best
families and all christian denomina-
tions in this country.
| am with great respect,
w. III. COUNCILL.
The meeting was largely attended,
every officer of the church being
present but one. The me citing was
called to order by Rev. james Z.
Hobbs, who stated the object. On
motion Rev. Samuel Bolden was
made chairman, and Elder VIM. H
CASTOR, secretary. After mature
deliberation it was agreed that as
his reply was to others, not re-
quested to be answered in our pc
tition below, and not a word about
politics was said, and not a single
arbitrary demand was made by us
in said petition, that for the benefit
of our brethren both the letter of
the Hon. Principal and our peti-
ton be requested to be published
in some Of the leading journals OF
the city. The Principal expresses
the same confidence in the Board
that we do, and always have, j. e
that the Board will fairly consider
an application from any gentleman
or lady. But we desire to ask
would the Board place in thai
school teacher not recommended
by the Principall We ask this be
cause the Principal does not state
whether he would himself fairly
consider an application from ou1
sect. Besides, his letter fails SO far
to produce enough of anything tt
relieve us of the belief that sectari
an distinctions have been and MAY
continue to be exercised against II
! in that school. Perhaps we mis-
take and can't see the spirit of hi
letter, but we appeal to the sympa
thizing public to help us conside
: whether or not we have made an,
demand in an arbitrary way in on
petition. The copy is the same a
, the original except names of all pc
titioners. Our ministers have lon
since been notified by the Churc