The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-12

Medical Students DisgracefM Riot-Cify Guard
Students Arrested- Cotton.
J. G. BENNETT, ESQ
DEAR SIR
! saw in the Herald the other day, On excel
lent article in relation to the spirit of mebism,
which prevails among the medical students in Phil
adelphia, and Recommendation of the New York
Medical College, as superior to any other In the
country. The professors this institution you
say enterprising, scientific gentlemen, and the
students, sober, moral, aud industrious; devotng
their time exclusively to the acquisition Of an ar
duous and responsible profession. Would that you
could say rs much of the medical students of this
place for portion Of them are any thing but cor
rect in their conduct.
will give you an account of one of their recent
transactions, which has produced great excitement
as well as indignation in the city of Charleston,
and came very nigh terminatingi in bloodshed.
1t was announced in the city papers that DR..
Mattson, of Bosto has recently published a
work entitled the American Vegetable Practice,
would deliver few lectures here on reformed me-
dicine. There was disturbance at the first lee
ture, with the exception that when it was nearly
concluded large body of medical students left the
lecture room abruptly making considerable noise.
Many of the most respectable physicians of
Charleston were present, but they conducted them
selves like gentlemen.
At the second lecture the students assembled in
full force, and made much noise that the speaker
could not proceed He expressed his regret that
in the NOBLE chivalrous South, any attempt should
be made to interfere with free discussion that
those who were dissatisfied with his lecture had
better retire, there were many respectable citi-
zens, nay even physicians who were anxious TO
hear him; and he suggested that the rioters were
encouraged by the medical professors themselves,
though he expressed the hope that the latter were
too honorable to sanction any such dsorderly con
duct. A gentleman then rose to address the audi
ence, and said that such proceedings were dis
grace to South Carolina but the uproar continued,
and the audience were dismissed ! may state,
that the students expressed their willingness Tor
the lecturer to proceed, provided he would not soy
any thing of the old school practice.
The next day DR. Mattson published a card, an
nouncing that he would lecture the ensuing even.
ing and as it was understood that the city guard
would be ordered out, the students declared that
they would arm themselves and beat down the
guard. ra,
was interrupted, with loud rappng upon the floor,
and this vance continued at frequent inter-
walls for quarter of hour, when file OF the City
Guard arrived in the street, and the Captain OF the
Guard i'm nediately made his appearance in the
lecture room. gentleman Instantly stepped up to
him, engaging him in private conversation, and al
ter few inmates the captain retired have just
understood that this gentleman was Dr. Cohen, Of
Charleston, who told the captain that his presence
would irrltate the students and that if he would
retire there would be further disturbance. This,
il seems, stratagem to enable the stadents to
carry out their designs with impunity. They we're
still fearful however that the Guard would inter
fere, and DIR. Mattson was enabled to conclude
his lecture, though not without much noise
and disturbance. After the lecture concluded,
the students in the street their
pistols and bowie knives, and swearing vengeance
upon the lecturer; some declaring that they would
take his life il he dared to show himself among them
At this jwuctnre, two three of the ring LEADERS
seized by the guard and dragged to the guard
house. Some Of the students proposed TO release
their companions, but the Lieutenant of the gaard
ordered his TO beat them down like dogs ifthey
attempted TO draw weapon. After this, file OF
the guard, together with several citizens, escorted
DR.. Mattson to his lodgings. The next morning
some ofthe rioters indicted and held to bail in
heavy sum, and strange to say, hitherto highly
respectable citizen of Charleston, has been included
among the number. The trial will be had, | am
told, next April
The Herald, 1 find, is extensively circulated in
the South, and l think few judi cious hints, by
yourself, would induce the wealthy planters Of
these states to send their sons, whom they intend
for the medical profession, to some other college
than that of Charleston, for here the professors
make effort to keep them in the path of duty, and
large number Of them spend their time in riotous
and disorderly conduct.
One of the professors in the College here, was
obliged to leave the institution few years ago. in
consequence of having delivered lecture from the
French, verbatim, without any acknowledgment
He was detected in the plagiarism, and was either
discharged or forced to leave, but has since been
restored TO the institution, and is now of its
promine mt professors
Cotton is selling at a low price here. / have
just been converting with planter, who told
me that there is downward tendency Of the cotton
market. He says good cotton was sold yesterday
for 81 cents. Immense piles Of it are to be observed
upon the wharves. Very truly, w. s.