The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-11-18
MIDDLEBuRY, Oct. 2i, 1917

Dear Sir:-Yours of the 18th instant, containing
the preamble and resolution of your Board, passed
on the 18th, was duly received, and it would have
been answered at an earlier date, if unexpected de-
mands upon my time had not prevented
You must have expected that such an unlocked
for termination of the negotiation respecting union
of our Colleges, would produce among us no little
surprise; and you doubtless expected that we should
carefully examine and weigh the reasons which
have led your Board to such result.
presume that you have not forgotten the incep-
ton and progress of this negotiation Your Execu-
tive Committee, you remember, in communication
addressed to Corporation in July last represent
ed, that the indications of general opinion among
the alumni and friends of both institutions favorable
to their amagamation have appeared so strong that
they think themselves warranted in asking the scr
Gus consideration of the question" by the Corpora
ton of Middebury College; and they proposed the
appointment of committees by the respective Cor
poratons who Should confer together and report up
on the subject. Then your Board at their annual
meeting in August ReSolred, That this Corporation
doth heartily and fully in the opinion that
the interests of education and the cause of knowl
edge would be greatly promoted by an union of the
two semnarcs in question: and that earnest effort
ought now to be made to accomplish the same"
On our part, we promptly responded to the call
appointed committee, as requested, and entered
upon the negotiation with sincerity and with a set
tied purpose to prosecute it until either the desired
end should be obtained or the subject should prove
to be environed with insuperable difficulties; and
just as we had reached point in the investigations
at which, we supposed light was beginning to dawn
upon our path, we receive the final resolution Of
your Board declining further action on the subject
though "they regard the existence of two Cole
ges in the State, of kindred spirit and aim hin.
drance to the of sound learning, and occasion
ing wasteful application of public charities" Il
the existence of these institutions is indeed attended
with evils of such magnitude, we should certainly
expect that the reasons for prematurey concluding
a negotiation which seemed to be tending towards
union, would be obvious, unambiguous and import
ant. Let us, then, briefly examine your reasons.
Your Board decline the proposition for union be
cause "by the bill reported the location of the new
institution is to be determined bya committee draw
from other states, and very imperlectly acquainte
with our internal condition and relations and espe
cially the feelings of our citizens" sc.
The question: How shall the location of the ne1
, institution be determnedY was fully discussed b.
{ the committees in conference, and they unanimous
ly agreed upon five gentlemen of high standing i
. Massachusetts, and Connecticut, as Board of Con
5 missoners, who should be invited to visit Vernon
make themselves thoroughly acquainted with tn
subect--hear testimony and argument, if necessary
and then decide the location according to the nril
: sic merits of the case. This arrangement SCENE
= to us so natural and so impartial that we suppose
it would be acceded to at once by both Corporation
But as your Boardsaw fit to reject this plan we wei