Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-25
A CARD.

Il OGAA4On
THE Trustees of the FRANKLIN INSTITUTE
i appear before the public with feelings of extreme
difidence and painful regret While it would be
meek indeed to bear without reply the imputaons of
personal maignity, yet it would be unjust to In
stitution whose sacred guardianship we hold-unjust
TO its friends, its Principal and ourselves, to suffer
the matter pass unnoticed. We allude TO a most
presumptuous Circular posted up in various Coun-
ties, bearing the venerated title of s. Truth will pre-
vail, $" and signed by A. w. Pearce.
Although Mr. Pearce did write the article him
self yet lie alone responsible for its contents. With
regard to the real author. in charity bound to
that it was the absence OF facts, which could per-
init individual claiming the attributes of gentle
man to honor with his pen the grautous and liber-
al charges of ignorance and passion. But for the
passabe gar6 which introduces strangers the
slightly mass, made up it is of remarkable mis-
statements, ungenerous nsinuations and pathetic ap
peas to farmers and fathers,' with innocent
air of plauslbility about it, well calculated deceive
the unsuspecling, should pass it by in silence.
1t speaks of 'the citizens of the neighbour ood,
who were generally acquainted with the clrcumstan
ces. " AS " citizens,' without attempting to faith
ON the motives which prompted the production, we
would notice in a candid and even courteous manner
its prominent points, which We will designate
by items
Item 1st, reprehends the action of the Trustees,
denoted by their Resolutions of Nav 18th. We find
il difficult to conceive wherein cur language was
eguivocaI. Being in full possession of the facts of
the case, did disapprOre of the course of MIR.
Pearce; we could not have Resolved - other
wise, had he been our own brother. Having duly
notified him of the meeting, we dismissed him from
the Board, by unanimous vote, all of the Trustees
being present, excepting Dr. Sills and himself. We
simply stated TO the public as the ground Of our
ton, that it was on account of hostility 10 the
School, forbearng enumeration of tances, but
in justice TO the School, referring the disturbance
its proper source, and informing the numerous per-
sons who visited it at the close of the tern-num-
bering between and two thousand-tha, the Ex-
animation, then but short time distant, would be
omitted. We made attack on the character of
private individual - accused but endeavored
perform duty, independently, deliberately and
conscientously. But we regret that we now
peLed in justification Of our course, refer TO one
instance indicative of that hostility which alone would
have been sufficient cause for our action,-to wit
The bockading Of The .4uenue leading to the 4cademy
aUith fallen trees and Other in,pedinaents. This
CURED the commencement OF the last ; yet
forbore any action against this attempt of Mr. Pearce
break up the School, thoug he had made himself
legally and morally LIABLE regarding it the ebul-
lition of blinded passion, which, under wholesome
counsel, would ultimately suosde. Actuated by this
spirit of forbearance, we reta lned him member
of the Board until the enactment of the recent un-
paraelled events.
Item I'd, refers TO the ante-naal history and birth
of our School, as found liz the following extract :
When it proposed 10 have School in my
neis 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 - Principal) was engaged 10 teach J"
The information here iven is unsupported by facts,
which we give, however uninteresting, in order to
show how readily the here made class
ed in point of veracity with other parts of the Cir
cular. d" " hen it was proposed to have School in
our neighborhood few years ago" the building was
located on the g land - of Mr.. WIN. D. Coppedge.
This in lS47, the time of its Incorporation Mr..
Barlow, instead of Mr.. Richardson, engaged
to teach" In IS49, Mr. Richardson obtained
as instructor. Until the present new building
was completed, he taught in the first erected,
during which time Mr.. CopPedge made an addition
to it, similar to the first building, at his expense.
The present House contracted for in 1850, and
completed in 1851. In this, when finished, Mr.. R..
, continued his duties 1t was for this building that
Mr.. P. gave one hundred dollars" (in work and
timber) He also gave the land =" 100 yards
souare1 but when the Trustees asked for the fee
simple right to the same, he refused 1t; and they
were quite unconscious of this new donation, until
so informed in the Circular.
Item Sd, relates to brother of 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 avidity the opportunity now ofered-one which
we have long desired-to give to any interested, the
pIan unvarnished facts of this case, by which
can, if disposed, correct ITSELF We quote as follows
"a brother of the teacher came to our Place-a
minister fresh from of the New Eng land States,
and had not been here long, before was requested,
as Trustee, by Of the same, to give the Rev.
MI Richardson opportunity to preach to the slaves.
one evening, in the Academy, which reluctantly
agreed to, after hesitation, under the Impress
ion that it would be repeated. But in thls was
disappointed it aOas repeated, and Was the FIRST
who took any steps stop such proceedings, which
no doubt caused the lwIl of the teacher, his BROTH
er. | will here remark. that the Rev. Mr.. Richard
son did sojourn very long in our nelg hborhood,
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 very few white persons were present!
From this time, my dealings with the teacher We're
rather limited and could attribute tito nothing else
but my course towards his brothers. proceedings with
the negroes.
No one can fail to observe the anxious spirit of
MISREPRESENTATION pervading this extract. The art
full insinuatons and ominous innuendos, often re-
peated and adroitIy woven in with cunning appeals
to the man, will, doubt not, be duly appreciated
by all whose judgments are guided by the unerring