Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-29


private rights and privileges, which can never
be taken away, modified or affected, by any
legislative enactment, however injurious the
effects of this new Charter may prove to be-
Let US pause then, before we create CoTpo-
ration, of doubtful expediency, which when
once brought inc being, is beyond the con-
troll Of the whole Legislative strength OF the
Commonwealth.
In approaching the discussion of this sub
Ject, sir, feel myself comprised by not a
few embarrassments have many acqualn-
tances and friends, whom esteem and value,
who wish for College at Amherst, and
would gladly have them gratifed-indeed,
nothing but solemn sense Of duty could in
dnce ME to adopt a course in this matter
which will disappoint and grieve SO many
who are dear to me. Moreover. sir, it may
be thought, that attachment to Harvard Uni
Versity has had some influence upon my opin-
ion but take this occasion frankly to a.
VOW, much as | esteem that ancient seminary,
that most venerable testimony and token Of
the deep interest felt by our pilgrim ancestors
in education and learning, feel no unreason-
able attachment to that nstitution-certainly
no such attachment, as would render me
blind to the public good, and the literary
necessities of other parts of the State. Besides,
Harvard cannot be affected by the establish
ment of another College-it does not depend
upon public patronage, or the number of stu
dents, but upon its funds, which are ample.
Those concerned in the government Of Har-
yard have taken not little pains to make it
known, that they do not object to the cree
ton of a new College, from any apprehension
of IFS effects upon their institution-indeed,
they seem quite solicitous that this new Char
ter should be granted, five can find any toe-
rable pretext for it, lest the opposition to it
should be ascribet partly to them, by persons,
who co not know their feelings upon this sub
Ject. Again, sir, may be supposed, by some
to be influenced by sectGridn feelinss-I be-
long to part of the country, where a vast
majority of the people are called heterodor
by those who assume to be orthodox. But let
me assure you, do not oppose the Amherst
petitioners on such grounds. The division of
the Christian world into sects produces an
admirable system of checks and balances, and
IS MOI on the whole so great an evil as many
Imagine. do not now, and never will. on.
pose these petitioners ON the ground that they
'oeions to particular sect, who adopt pecu-
mar mode OF interpreting the scriptures, wheth-
or tnmk that sect ttberdI or illiberal, catholic
or uneatholic, in their feelings and conduct
towards other Christians.
Many from this part of the Commonwealth.
who vote in favor of this new College, will do
so, partly from ali apprehension that an oppo.
ate couFse-would be ascribed to the mo:ives
just mentioned, and partly from an unwilling
ness TO resist opportunity. individuals urge
THIS petition with great earnestness, they be.
set us on every side-and not few, | fear.
viii yield to such persevering zeal, and will
suffer importantly to drive them to an act.
which would be forbidden by considerations
oTpublic good, and the real interests of learn.
ing.
But, sir, it is our duty to place this question
upon its true grounds. Does the public good
require another College in Massachusetts
If it does, let US grant tiff not, DENY il,
promptly and fearlesslyl-The gentleman
from Boston, (Mr. Sumner) in advocating this
petition, seemed 10 suppose, that those who
oppose this new College are arraying them.
selves against education and learning. and
taking this erroneous view Of our object, he
felt constrained to convince US Of the ercsL
!enes offeaTniRg and the cast importance Of ed.
Eention, assuring US that knowledge is DOW.
err" &c. &c. all which, although some NAV
think it ls not perfectly new, is certainly moi
the less true, on that account. Indeed. what
ever has been said, or can be said, in favor OF
learning and education, shall not stop to re.
peat at this time, supposing it not unknown to
you already; but wish it to be considered az
part OF my argument against this new Col
fege, and part Of the grounds upon which we
oppose It, as much as if | here repeated il,
But the gentleman from Boston, (Mr. Sumner)
took occasion to travel across the Atlantic and
in advocatinga new COuegeat Amherst, thought
1t expedient 10 visit Vienna and Laybach fol
the purpose of uttering malediction against
cTorned heads, and the Holy Alliance and he
assures US, that the Alliance called Holl, is in
fact asnhOly, and that if we could disseminate
knowledge and erect Colleges in their domin.
ions, 81 their thrones would crumble TO dust. 81
1hiS mag be4rue, and if the gentlemaa's pro.
ject were to erect this new College in the
territories of that combination. of monarchs, hi.
argument would have some weisht-and
whenever he shall propose such scheme.
will give him all the aid in my power. But
protest against the practice of declainliny a.
galnst kings and cro1cned heads, for the mere
purpose OF conciliating the audience and get
ting possession Of their good wishes-I cannot
HSAiN'S ~ CONSISTENT Win S0On tOSie or good
serse.-i do not think SO meanly of those who
hear me, as to believe they can be won by
such arts; | leave such topics to juvenile de.
chalmers and fourth-ofJuly orators; and il
these petitioners desired that gentleman to ad-
vocate their claims by speaking against the
existing rulers of other nations, "t6e powers
that be,'' whether crOwnsd or umcrowned, it
does not raise my opinion of their head or
their heart, much less of their religious princi.
Piles.
The petitioners have published, and ciscu-
lated pamphlet, sort of manifesto, which
has been distributed to every member of this
house, in which are set forth, at some length.
the grounds upon which they rest their claims
and the reasons which they expect will salts
fy US and the public, that their prayer ought
to be granted. AS we may fairly suppose
these reasons, offered by themselves, are the
best which can be urged, let us examine
them.
The first is stated in these words--'' Anoth-
er College is wanted in Massachusetts ,,