Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-28
CORRESPONDENCE.
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE.
10 THE EDITORS oE THE freeman:

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE.
To THE EDITORS oE THE FREEMAN:
An editorial article appeared in your paper
some two months ago, stating, in substance have
not the article before me that application had
been made, through me, for the admission of four
colored young men of Philade pha, into Middle
bury College, and that it had been decided, on the
ground of color, that but of them could be
ceived. Your article was copied into the Eman-
cpator, the editor of which subsequently stated
that he had received a communication from gem
tlemen of this place denying the statement, and
asserting that application had been made, last
spring, to President Labaree, by the Rev. Mr..
Gardner, colored clergyman of Phade phia, for
the admission Of the four colored young men; to
whom the President replied that the College was
open for their admission, provided they possessed
the requisite literary and moral qualifications -
The editor of the Emancipator therefore called on
you to substantiate the statement copied by him
from your paper, and thus contradlcted. To this
call you have responded in your paper of the 91st
of July, by stating that the facts you had publish
ed "cume second hand" from me; and you there
upon call on me to "give the facts in the case as
they are" This call you have, in effect repeated
in late paper.
With reluctance TO give response to your
call, which presume will be generally appreciate
ed have, nevertheless, upon much reflection,
come to the conclusion that | cannot, under the
circumstances, properly refuse it. Indeed, it
would seem to be due to myself, as we'll as to
truth--since, as the case now stands before the
public, | am supposed to have authorised IA state
ment subsequently contradicted BY authority.
The facts, then, are simply these:-Early in A
pril, last, received from Gerriu Smith, Esq,
dated at Philadelphia, on the 90th of March, en-
closing copy of one of the same date, to Doct.
Lord, President Of Dartmouth College, informing
him that there were four coI0red young men in
Philadelphia, members of a church, Of which the
Rev Charles W. Gardner was PASTOR who were
fitted for College, benefciarles of "the Assem-
bly's Board,' and enqulrlng whether they would
be admitted Mt Dartmouth. Mr.. Smith requested
kue to Law bis letter to Doct. Lord before the Fac
8lity of MddIebury College, and ascertain, and
;nGorn Mr. Gardner whether the young men, if
found properly qualified, could be admitted here,
in case they should not be received at Dartmouth.
handed the letter TO President Labaree, who
subsequently returned it, with q verbal reply,
which thus described in a letter addressed to Mr..
Gardner on the 18th of April:
"'Fhe President said to me, on returning Mr.,
Smiths letter, that there was nothing in the Col
iego regulations making any distinction in regard
to color, and that. personally, the Faculty had no
objection to the reception Of coiored students, but
that he could not say how the corporation of the
College might regard the matter, especially if
there should be an application for the admission of
number of colored students at once-thc admis-
zion Of whom might create the impression that this
is the College for the resort of colored students
am inclined to think that there would be little
reluctance to the admission Of so many coored
students at once, while none presume would be
felt to the reception of one. Suffer me to suggest
whether it would not be advisable to separate
these young men, and make an effort to Introduce
them into several colleges. A proposal to intro
duce a single coored student into College, would
be likely to encounter less difficulty, any where,
than request for the admission of four at once
hardest thing in the world to eradicate. Ii must
be humored little, and be reached and subdued
gradually.
need hardly say that feel much interest in the
young men referred to in Mr.. Smiths letter, and
will cheerfully do anything in my power to aid
them in accomplishing their wishes in regard to
an education"
To this letter Mr. Gardner replied, on the LIST
of May, as follows:
"Your kind letter was received on the Gath ult
relative to MiddIabury College, and it is thought
by Mr. Hope and ourselves, in view of our pc
cuar situation, that the views suggested by you
may be correct. As matter of course it would
be more agreeable for them to be together bat as
you stated that the college was open to colored
students, VIC would like to know if one of the
young men could be received immediately As
it is desirable that we should know what the
course is, and the expenses &C., you will confer
favor by sending with your answer, catalogue
of the College; and as the time of the young men
is precious, we would thank you for an answer
with any information relative to the subject you
a may be in possession of, as soon as convenient.
Yours Respectfully,
G. w. GARDNER"
Upon the receipt of this letter, called on DR.
Labaree, when, finding the corporation in session
at his house, handed him the letter, and suggest
ed that it he laid by him before the board, for the
advice, and requested that he would return it Il
me, with their decision. On the next day he call
ed and communicated to me the result, which will
appear in the following communication oft to Mr.
Gardner, by letter dated on the 10th of May.
Rev. C. W. Gardner:
Dear Sir:-Your letter of the 1st instant ha
been received, and have shown it to the Presi
dent Of the College, who has submitted the matte
to the consideration of the corporation, at a meet
ing which happened to be held on other business
on the day after received the letter.
feel panied at being obliged to inform YOU tina
the board decided that 1t would not he expedien
to receive even one of the young men referred t.
in your letter. The President communicated Il
me the decision-in which he evidently concurret
by saying it was thought the colleges in the sew
eral States ought to receive the colored youn!
men of their respective States, and ntmated Il
me that he placed the matter on that ground il
the interview had with him before | wrote YOU
He did, indeed, throw out such a suggestion bu
according to my best recollection, intmated thC
there would, probably, be no objection to receiI
ing one ofthe young men. My letter to you VIZ
written soon after my interview with him, an
communicated, substantially, the impression thu
bis conversation left upon my mind.
In reply to an ntnation of the President,
our recent interview, that fears were entertaine
that the reception OF coored young men from
broad would injure the College, said to hir
very decidedly, tP9t considered that great ar