Word: oaths
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Since the proposal to repeal the Teachers' Oath was voted down yesterday in the Legislature by only four votes, it seems likely that the active participation of Harvard in the campaign against this law might have changed defeat into victory. That the university can advance arguments to justify its decision to play a passive role in the struggle for repeal this year is undoubtedly true. For there is some question as to whether this oath does really endanger civil liberties. And, even if the law is a menace to intellectual freedom, it may not be wise for Harvard to stir...
...Teachers' Oath is in theory a harmless law which requires teachers to swear allegiance to the Federal and State Constitutions. Since Section 2a of this law stipulates that "nothing herein contained shall be construed to interfere in any way with the basic principles of the Constitution which assures every citizen freedom of thought and speech," the oath does not appear to deviate too far from the precepts of democracy. But, unfortunately, this law has quite a different de facto meaning when it is enforced in a community where there is strong local feeling against alien social systems like Communism...
...second consideration. The university's opposition to this bill in the past has not exactly improved its relations with local authorities, and it is only within the last two months that conciliatory measures have somewhat improved this situation. Should Harvard now join the fight for repeal of the Oath, the supporters of the law would almost certainly attempt to arouse "town-gown" feeling again. Thus, in the final analysis, the university is confronted with the dilemma of whether to defend freedom of thought and increase local animosity or to ignore officially the struggle over this bill and let the matter...
...have to get busy," said Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, who has in the past carried on the strongest fight against the oath from the University front. He stated that he did not agree with Harvard's policy of taking a back seat in the struggle...
Calling the oath law "nuisance legislation," Rep, Ralph Clampit rallied the repealist forces on the floor and cried: "The real trouble with the law is that the freedom of teachers has been shackled...