Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-12-10
) The South Carolina College.

Ithas been published in several of our cotem-
poraries that difficulty exists in this institution
Wesshouid not have mentioned the fact but for
such publications but as they have been made,
it is perhaps proper we should say a few words
in relation to. the matter. The withdrawal Of
one hu, dred and ten students, and that without
any ilEfeeliBg or insubordination against the
Faculty, is, in an institution of this kind, move
ment well calculated to attract attention and
elicit discussion OH the causes which produced
it.alagsaE ,-.5y =,
The grievance complained Of is the compul-
sion to board at the Stewards Hol. The young
men who leave have petitioned the Trustees to
permit them to board elsewhere and in their
petition have respectfully set forth the causes
which have induced them to ask for the nndi6-
cation Of the regulation alluded to. 10 our
minds the reasons brought forward have much
weight, and should have had some influence with
the Trustees, as we cannot construe the action
of the students into any thing like insubordlna-
ton. All'the students were i'll favor OF the modl-
fication PRAYED for, and we learn that the esteem
ed and distinguished President Of the College
also advocated the change before the Board OF
Trustees. ~ s
All this is evidence to our minds, that it was
no wanton spirit of factious discomfort which
governed the petitioners. The system of Com
mons has been found not to work well, for cxpe-
rience and observation have made manifest that
it has been and always will be a fruitful cause
saof discomfort and consequent misconduct. In
confirmation of this We need only state that the
majority of the Colleges in this country and Eu-
rope have abolished their Stewards Hall.
The state of affairs now is that nns hundred
and ten of the Students, by pre-existing agree
'ment, have resolved to leave the College, the
first of January, or perhaps sooner, in conse-
. quence of the prayer Of their petition not having
! been complied with. The Trustees, after several
meetings, have appointed Committee with in
(, structions we believe, to report in May next
modification in the system Of Commons. The
students considering their pledge an agreement
3 offorce will leave. We are sorry that the Trus
tees did not consider the matter as a question
solely connected with the prosperity of the in
stitution committed to their charge, and alto
gether independent of any combination or ar
rangement among the students And in this
light, in our humble opinion, it should have been
discussed and deliberated upon.
In conclusion, after having expressed our opin-
ION on the subject, We most devoutly and sim
cerey wish that, if no sacrifice of honor or prin-
ciple be involved, the young men would recon-
sider their resolution and remain. We take it
for granted that they are actuated by a high
sense of honor, and that if any practical and hon
orable mode of abandoning their resolve can be
adopted it will be done. They all love their
s" Almsu Mater and ought to make any sacrifice,
save that of honor or principle, to avoid the in
fiction of any serious injury upon her. 1t is an
institution of which every Carolinian is proud
Of and one which we trust will long deserve such
high place in the affections Of the people of the
State-Souh Carolinian.