Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-21
A CARD,

T1HE Trustees of the FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
1 appear before the public with feelings of extreme
diffidence and painful regret. While it would be
meek indeed to bear without reply the mputatons of
personal malgnity, yet it would be unjust to our In
stitution, whose sacred guardianship hold-unjust
to its friends, its Principal and ourselves, to suffer
the matter TO pass unnoticed. We allude TO most
presumptuous Circular posted up in various Coun-
ties, bearing the venerated title of IS Truth will pre-
vail, - and signed by A. w. Pearce.
Although Mr.. Pearce did not write the article him
self yet Ike alone responsible for its With
regard the real author, in charity bound
say that the absence of facts, which could per-
nit individual claiming the attributes of gentle
to honor with his pen the gratutous and liber-
| al charges of ignorance and passion. But for the
passable garb which introduces to strangers the
slightly mass, made up as it is of remarkable mis-
statements, ungenerous nsinuations and pathetic ap-
peals to " farmers and fathers,' with an innocent
air of pausbiliy about it, well calculated to deceive
the unsuspecting we should pass it by in silence.
1t speaks of the citizens of the neghborhood,
who were generally acquainted with the circumstan.
ces - AS ' citizens, " without attempting to faith
ON the motives which prompted the production, we
| would notice in candid and even courteous manner
its prominent points, which we will designate
by items.
Item 1st reprehends the action of the Trustees, as
denoted by their Resolutions of May 18th. We find
it difficult to conceive wherein our language was
equivocal. Being in full possession OF the facts of
the case, we did disapprOUe of the course of Mr..
Pearce; could not have "Resoved - other
wise, had he been our own brother. Having dnly
notified him of the meeting, we dismissed him from
the Board, by unanimous vote, all of the Trustees
being present, excepting DR.. Stills and himself. We
simply stated to the public the ground of
ton, that it was " on account of hostility to the
School, - forbearng enumeration of instances, but
ia justice the School, referring the disturbance
its proper source, and informing the numerous per-
sons who visited it at the close of the term-num-
bering between one and two thousand-that the Ex-
animation, then but short time distant, would be
omitted We made ''atlack on the character of
private individual - accused, but endeavored
perform duty, independently, deliberately and
conscentiously. But we regret that
PEELED in justification of our course, to refer
instance indicative of that hostility, which alone would
have been sufficient cause for our action,-to wit: {:
the bIOckadng Of the 4Ucnue leading to the academy
avith fallen trees and Other impediments. This
Cured at the commencement OF the last term yet
orbore any action against this attempt of Mr.. Pearce
II break up the School, though he had made himself
legally and morally liable, regarding it the ebul-
lon of blinded passion, which, under wholesome
counsel, would ultimately suoside. Actuaed by this
spirit of forbearance, we retained him a member
of the Board until the enactment of the recent un-
parallelled events.
Item 3D. refers the ante-natal history and birth
of our School, found in the following extract :
When it was proposed to have School in my
neik hborhood few years ago, was among the first
encourage it, which did materially by giving the
land which the Academy was built, and further
more by giving hundred dollars to pay for the
building of the Academy. After the Academy was
completed, D. S. Richardson (the present gentle
manly'' Principally was engaged to teach.'
The information here given is unsupported by facts,
which we give, however undressing, In order to
show how readily the here made class
ed in point of veracity with other parts of the Cir
cular. g " hen it was proposed TO have School in
our neighborhood few years ago. the building
located on the g land - of Mr.. VIM. D. Coppedge.
This was in IS47, the time of its incorporation. Mr.
Barlow, instead of Mr.. Richardson engaged
to teach.' In ls49, Mr.. Richardson was obtained
| h,,ill
was completed, he taught in the one first erected,
during which time Mr.. Coppedge made an addition
to it, similar the first building, at his own expense
The present House was contracted for in 1850, and
completed in 1851. In this, when finished, Mr.. K.
| continued his duties. 1t was for this building that
Mr. P. "gave hundred dollars" Gin work and
timber). He also "gave the land" 100 yards
suuare,) but when the Trustees asked for the fee
simple right to the same, he refused it; and they
W ere quite unconscious of this donation, until
so informed in the Circular.
Item Sd, relates to a brother of our Principal, the
Rev. Mr.. Richardson, who resides eight hundred
miles from this place, and knows nothing of the at
tack upon his character. We consider this item of
importance than the rest, and consequently seize
with avdty the opportunity now offered-one which
have long desired-to give to any Interested the
plain, unvarnshed facts of this case, by which
can, if disposed, correct ITSELF We quote follows
| GA brother of the teacher to pace-a
minister fresh from of the New Eng land States,
and had not been here long, before was requested,
|
Mr. Richardson opportunity to preach to the slaves
one evening, in the Academy, which l reluctantly
agreed to- after hesitation, under the Impress
ion that it would not be repeated. But in this was
disappointed; it 1Uas repeated, and was the FIRST
who took any steps stop such proceedings, which
no doubt caused the iw of the teacher. his BROTH
er. will here remark, that the Rev. Mr.. Richard
son did not sojourn very long in neighborhood,
after we stopped his proceedings with the slaves.
Now, what farmer owner of slaves in North Caro-
lima would permit preacher just from Northern
State, whose principles were unknown, to hold in
tercourse with his negroes during night, when per-
haps none very few white persons were present!
From this time, my dealings with the teacher Were
rather limited and could attribute il to nothing else
but ny course towards his brothers. proceedings with
the negroes.
| No one can fail to observe the anxious spirit oi
MISREPRESENTATION pervading this extract. The art
fuI insinuations, and omnous innuendos, often re-
peated and adroitly woven in with cunning appeals
to the man. will, doubt not. be duly appreciated
by all whose judgments are guided by the unerrins