Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-08-04
PRESIDENT sHANNoNPLEADINa GUILTY
A CARD fRoa rrEsiDlEr SHANNON, OF TIE MISSOURI
STATE UNIVERSITY.

Having resolved, long ago, that | would take no
nUice of the malicious Free Soil calumniators
who, week after week, hurl their envcnomed shafts
of detractiun from behind the ramparts OF a fac
titious signature, | owe it to the people OF Nilsson
ri, and to the interests Of The State University, to
publish this card.
Nearly six years ago, without solicitation on my
part, the Presidency Of the State University was
tcndored to me by u Board of Curators, with not
one of whom I ever enjoyed the pleasure Of a per
Sonal acquaintance,
During the last five years, | have devoted my
best energies to the promotion Of the educational
interests Of the State, rarely condcscending to take
any notice of the vile anonymous ISLANDERS that
were inGustriously circulated. With what success
| have acted thus, the widespread and growing
reputation of the State University furnishes the
best evidence.
Why, then, am | assailcd increasingly in the
public journals, by anonymous columiniators,
with such hendish malignity, and with n zeal and
perseverance worthy of II better cause
TO the intelligent, many OF the assaults to which
/ allude furnish Of themselves a ready reply. For
making a public speech in defence of the institu-
tien Of domestic slavery, | have been assaiied rs
The political priest, who is ut the head of our
State tniyersity"-"This madam"-"Our politico-
religious priest."-'Thc bigotcd and %Ganatical
President of our State University" &c, &c.
have neither the inclinationsnor the ability to re-
spond to such polite e~phithets nor to honor, even
by a kick, those who use them. But have a few
suggestions to make to all honorable men for the
public good.
As President of the State University, il has be
come my duty, among! other things, to instruct
tAe young men Of the State in the principles Of
Moral Science. The textbook here, and in Anne
rican colleges generally, is Wayland's Elements, a
work of high merit, except on the subjects Of War
the Smbbath and Slavery. 1t is well known, how
ever, that Wayland excrts all the powers OF his
great mind to prove that slavery is i'scnpcr c
ubiquc," always and everywhere a moral wrong.
Had | been satisfied to teach Waylaud's view,
without note or comment, and thus corrupt liz
miuds OF the students committed to my trust,
would no. doubt thus far baEe secured the GppToJa
: ton Of my pTeSent cddmaiatoJS. But, whethe
fortunately or unfortunately, | have committed Al
unpardonable offence, by believing, and teachin,
ia the lecture room and on "We hHStiHgs," tina
slavery is sanctioned alike by the Bible, the law
Of Nature and the Constitution Of the Unite
States and that Congress neither has, nor rele
Icp,a a consolidated ccntrGt deSP0tism, could it pos
c sibly have, the right to impair a vested right c
/ property in slaves in the Territories, tue Distric
Of Columbia, or anywhere on earth, to whic
the authority of the Federal Government extend;
Now, | submit it to all honest minds, whethe
a in u slave State, this should give offence to any br
II the most ultra Free Sellers and AbolitionistS; an
whether those who assail me on this account, d
not prove themselves he H0St shameless hypOcItte
when they profess to be in favor Of sustaining tn
institution Of slavery. "a
To those who agree with me respecting u
lawfulness Of slavery, but doubt the propriety
u my discussing it publicly, II 0Dy such there be-
10 remark that | have been ~impelled to the course
have taken, by the following considerations
j. | have long believed that God had raised L
he these United States as his own chosen inStrumc
y tally For the regeneration Of the world and
c. regard the preservation of the Union as ind
pc pensiblo to the Accomplishment Of this sublin
es result.
es Nevertheless, / am fully convinced that no ere
IS ted power can save the Union five years, unless II
swelling tide Of anti.slavery tanaticism be beatC
Of back. 10 accomplish this object, and thus sn
i. the Union, | can conceive Of no better meth(
" than to enlishten the public mind Oh the subje
re of slavery in its various aspects.
Of With these views, | feel impclled by the hi.
III motives Of patriotism, and regard for the saly
re ton Of a lost world, to enlighten the public min
oS to the utmost Of my ability, on this absorbing su
r. iect. Indeed, | would consider myself Who'll
al unworthy the privileges of an American citi2e
40 unworthy the name Of man, or a Christian, were
d to shrink from 4 faithful performance Of this du
ry through the fear Of any consequences that mig
to result to myself personally.
IS. If these views and this course Of conduct rend
so me unfit to preside over the State University, Il
IL. sooner | am removed from my present position Il
ii better for The Sqte Of Missouri is too poor 10 COZ
to pensate me for an opposite course, or eceR to ptscha
cd my silence on THIS thrilling topic.
If it is desirable to have Free Soilism taught
st the University, the people of the State will do W,
to instruct their representatives in the General 4
es scmbly, next fall, to suggest, to the bitter end 4
SO efforts that will undoubtedly be made, by my pre-
he ent calumniator, to remove Inc from Office, p
"A. jus, dut netas, right or wrong.
nv If Office, or even life, be sacrificed in an effort
he save the Union for its own sake, and as subser
ent to the regeneration of the world, | can &C
m. ceiye of no better cause to which it could be 1
an. voted.
OF Aroslafcry Journ"iS eNeISMheIc are request
to publish this card also such Free Soil papC
re. as have aided in assailing me are expected to &c
no Us aH ad Of Justice.
os JAMES SHANNON,
Presidentof the University State Of Missouri.
rat Columbia, No, July 8, 1855.
ri