The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-11-29
The Presidency of the South Carolina
COLLEGE

College.
Inc Columbia Tunes appears TO be much a.
iarmed about the future prospects of the College
In the event OF the removal of Dr. Thornwel.
The Times seems to think that there is no other
man in the South, capable of succeeding DR..
Ihornwel. We are surprised to see the Press
generally coacuring in the opinion, that Dr.
IhornwelPs place could not be supplied. For
our part, although we have nothing to say de-
rogatory to president Thornwen, for the College
mas enjoyed favor during his term, and all con-
cede 70 him those liberal and enlightened views
of things, added to a vigorous brillian. and cul
aVated mind for which he is distinguished, yet,
we can not but think that there arc other mcr in
our own State, equally as competent to take
charge of the College. We cannot agree with
the Times in the opinion that om sectarian
motives it is advisable to retain DR.. Thornwell.
Neither Harvard University, Yale College or
South Carolina College owes its present impor-
tancc to such cause. The South Carolina College
attained to its present position or rank, long
time anterior to the presidency of DR.. Thorn
well. We cannot suppose that it is owing to
DIR. Thornwelrs theological knowledge. or re-
lig'ous dogmas, that parents or guardians are
induced to send their SONS or wards to the Col
lcgc That DR. Thornwell has done credit to
the Office which he has held, we do not deny.
but hal his profession been other than a divine.
we believe no difference would have been made
We cannot think that becau &c he is of the Pres
byteran Church, the College has met with such
successive believe if a President of equal at
tainments Of any other christian church hnd
hiicd the office, the success would have been
the same
We cannot see how DR.. Thornwcll can act in
the premises, but to resign his present Office
BY large majority he is called by his o,cn
ehurch TO preside over an institution Of the
church; an institution which he NAV be the
means OF prosperng and in so doing advance
the interests of the chxrch of which he is n min.
iStcr-he will be operating in field, we should
'h'hN much more congcnial to his fcengs-ina
ne'd where the exercise of his theological ac-
quirements can be more proftably employed
how he can refuse, when told that by enterpg
the Theological Seminary he will be sire npth
enlng that institution, be giving it new life and
viSor be the means of bringing more laborcrs
into the vineyard of Christ be the means of en-
listing applicants for theological knowledge and
labors-how we say, when lie knows all this.
ne can refuse the unanimous voice almost of the
recently assembled Synod, we cannot conceive
The Times apprehends, that in the event of
Dr. Thornwclrs removal, the College will lose
his powerful infuencc"-the influence of the
Presbyterian Church. We never knew that
any parent in South Carolina had sent his son
to the South Carolina College from the mere
fact that the Presidency was filed by a celebra.
ted divine of the Presbyterian Church. vet. the
Times very happily informs us that "duing his
administration he had, fortunately for the insti.
tuition, united in its support members of all the
various Christian denominations in the State"
This, we think, is a:trbuting to Dr. ThornweIl
more than he would desire 1t does but little
credit to the patrons of the Collegc-First, 'his
powerful influence" in the Presbyterian Church
brings to the College the patronage of members
OF that urch,-and, Secondly, "uuited in Its
support members of all Christian denominations"
The South Carolina College, years ago, ranked
rs thIrd III the United States. In the time of
| Dr. Cooper it was considered as the FTrsf
SOUTHERN COLLEGE. It has happily sustained
its character and importance, and it is owing to
its high position rs an Institution of learning
that it has received its patronage Under Pre-
sIdcnts Barnwcll, Henry and Preston, il was the
College of the South. We are not aware that il
receives the united patronage of various mem-
beIs of the christian church. merely because an
eminent divine Of the Prcsbytel ian church pre-
sides over it, If the presidency and professor
ships be constantly filed by gentlemen Of eff.
cheney, it will ever retain its present position,
be they Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists
or what not 1t has always been regarded as
an honor to be graduate OF the South Carolina
College over any other institution in the south.
ern country; and we do not apprehend that the
Baptist College at Greenvile, or Wofford Col.
leSc at Spartanburg, OF Erskine College at Due
West, will ever divert any patronage from it.
AS the press generally have spoken freely on
this subject, so have we. 1t is unwise, and not
only unwse, but highly improper to endeavor
to impress on the mind of DR.. Thornwell tie
necessity ofretaining his present Office, urging
that the State demands it, when his duty calls him
to the Theological Seminary.