Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-08-28
Communications.
For Me Advertiser.
In Replu 10 "a GRADUATES"

Mr.. Edilor.-The article in your paper
of the 9Th inst. signed "A Graduate" re-
fsrriug osome of the proceedings OF The
late Temperance Convention, was brought
10 my notice only day ortwo SINCE wh''e
j was travelling in the country. Fear
ing that the manner in which the suoJec'
treated of in that article, is represented,
NAV prove prejudicial TO the temperance
cause. 1 will take the trouble. while here,
briefly 10 set forth that matter 10 its proper
light. -. 49,,
I am represented by "a Graduate" as
coDtendins that "the Faculty ,cere solely
responsible" for all the dissipation Of. Col
lege. had no idea Of being understood
as making any such ridiculous charge.
designed 10 say only what here repeat
thai regard them as responsible for much,
very much Off. In what way-hereaf,
ter. = \; :.
One sentence Of that article is so framed
that i, ,appearsto. make me hold out the
idea that left the Carolina College from
disgust a, the amount OF intemperance
prevalent among its members. Not de-
string 10 induce any such impressions.
will state now, that was compelled 10
leave in consequence of having ransgress
ed the College laws.
do not thi.k, either, anything said
could fairly be construed into The remark
..thar | found an amount of drunkenness
in College which was unparalellei." ]
intended simply 10 institute comparison
between this and other Colleges. | stated
,ba, had heard it said, and from my own
experience at two other Colleges. (ihe
University of Virginia, and Harvard. Mas.
sachu;etls,) believed, that ours was the
most dissipa,ed College in The Union.-
Here, let me remark, that this assertion
was made with no unkind feelings towards
our College. No, quite the contrary. ]
believed ii true, aGi made it with lhe hope
OF doing something for lis failure correction.
] made il, believing it 10 he truth. which
it were recreaut 10 the best interests OF
the College itself to conceal.
But have sail tina, Thought the Fac,
nlly were responsible for much, very much
Of The in,emperance in College. And now.
s.Gloucester TO the onslaught!" Are the
Faculty simply intrusted with the intellec
tual culture Of the youths who are placed
under their supervision J. it moi, on the
contrary, expected by the parents Of those
youths, and the whole. community, that al
least equal regard will be paid to their
moral instruction? Surely. Then ask
if The Faculty are not responsible, just in
proportion as thai part Of their duty is
neglected, for the i'll consequences which
follow
Aud now, according TO my notions of
efficacious moral instruction, such lessons
are rarely taught in Colleges. Is i, the
habit Of Professors to counseLiu private,
10 advise IN sincere and friendly manner
with students, pointing QUITO, and instruct
ing them in, the dangers Of intemperanee
aud other immoraTilies, of which youth
are SO sadly, sadly ignorant? fnever had
one TO don for me. And il is certainly
never regarded by them as part Of their
professional duIy. Nor can be singular
IN this notion, for il is notorious that DR..
Cooper, with all his acknowledged learn
ing and talent, was displaced from The
College because ii was supposed that under
him. erroneous principles Of morality were
lulO tuC DClC
is no difference in The effect, between ac-,
tually incukaling improper principles, and
abandoning the ardent and inqniring mind
of youth to rum after its own follres. But
you will say that lectures are pronounced
day after day, on the science of morals
and the truths Of Chris,ianit,. Bah ! All
this is idle and deceptive unless it be
brought home to the heart as well as the
mind Of the student, by the Professors
acting towards him the part of true friend
and guardian. If he is incapable, or un-
willing to do this, unhesl,alingly pro-
nounee him unfit 10 occupy his station.
The College laws, however, against in
temperance, and The rigor with which they
have been enforced. are adduced as evil
deEces Of The care which the Faculty yiake
Of the morals Of the studen,s!! Exaclly
Aud all we ask. is jus, li,,le less lu,p, TO
be replaced with more moral suasiou. more
friendly advice aud encouragement, !.
repeat, therefore, that the Faculty are
responsible for much Of Tie dissipation Of
College, because they neglect, or refuse 10
use the only means by which il can be
prevented.
The Temperance Convention feeling
deep interest in The College Temperance
Society. recommend il 10 The fostering care
. Of the Faculty. Where ts the harm
! where the wrong
The resolnticn offered before the Con.
venton, in substance. differed from that
submitted by Mr.. Griffin only in this-rbat
his included The Trustees with ebe Fac
ul,y, and / feelsure that the most sensi-
tive of The Professors can fnd nothing in
e that 10 wound Ills feelings,
The Convention were only responsible
for the resolution they passed, and hope
nothing that an individual member may
have said then. or may say now,.will he
suffered TO operate against the Conven:
non. am solely responsible for any thing
fsay.