Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-03

mary thrust from the Institution "any student
when they thi nix it necessary so to do"
And tbs in view of his that the faculty OF Lane
Seminary say in their "declaratioH" to the public
dated Oct II, 1--WE approve Of aud willalwoys pro-
tect and encourage in this Institution, free inquiry,
and through discussion?" Is free inquiry pro
tectcd and encouraged" in an institution where
students are liable to dismissal for such causes?
Was it in view of this ORDER that the faculty said
in their declaration" "we sec nothing IN these
regulations which is not common law IN all cett
regulated institutions, since they merely commit
the lckole management ot the internal concerns Of hc
Seminary to the discretion of the faculty?' After
attempting oexercse the authority vested IN them
by this order, in the manner above mentioned, now
could the executive committee concur IN TINS
declaration Of the faculty, "as correct exposition
of the intentions of the bourd?" If they kHor
this to be "a correct exposition of the intentions OF
the board, ;" and if dtSmiSSiHg students belongs to
the "nerndl concerns of the Seminary" then they,
by attempting to exercise that power, have assum-
cd authority which contrary ITO the intentions
of the board" In their declaration the faculty
say that they regard th!s order las simply vesting
the executive committee with trustee power in GER
tain cases" Why the need of vestrg this particn.
lur trustee power in the hands of the erecutire COM
muiee? Have not the faculty sufficiently author-
ty for the dismission of students2 Or it is to Sc
cure the dismissal of students in "ccrtain cases
without compelling the faculty to 'Gdopt for them
selyes severe or arbitrary regulations, and thus
procdre to be done by the executive committee
what, from m0tiCes Of pOiicy, 1t Is thought not
best for the faculty to do. But we are not lett to
conjecture on this point tho trustees have spo-
spoken explicitly as to leave no room Tor doubt;
In their Suggestions" to the faculty. the board OF
trustees say that in the government of the stu
dents "there is little danger of too much restraint,
that it is no objection to the erules now adopted,
that IN practice they may be sensibly felt by the
pupils as continued restrain on their move
ments" They also say, their "object is 10 secure
10 the tdcHltya more direct and and certain mfU-
enceorer tie conduct Of the students. WITHOUT THE
NECESSITY OF ADOPTING FOR THEMSELVES serere or
QTJita1V requlationS." We pass this without com
ment. We do not wonder that the president of the
board, begged as he did that this extraordinary
order might not be published to the world, and
that not a few members Of the board, who voted
for the order" greatly desired to keep it secret
and voted against its publication.
We have already expressed our dissent from the
doctrine laid down by the trustees that no associ
tions or societies ought to lie allowed in the Semlna
ry, except such have for their immediate object,
improvement in the prescribed course OF studies"
Repudiaiing the doctrine, we refuse compliance
with the order" based upon it, and quietly with
draw from the sphere Of its action. The order is
as follows Ordered that the students be required
to discontinue those societies tEe antslavery and
colonization societies) in the Seminary" We can
not comply with the ORDER l. Because it would
be the surrender of right. Upon this point We
have already enlarged.-As members OF the anti
cayery society, we cannot comply with the order
2. Because we formed society TO operate
against the system of slavery and all its allies
and until that system be abolished and those allie:
retreat from the field the considerations whict
called it into being, forbid its dissolution
is this time to destroy society, when truth is
fallen in the streets, and judgment turned away
backward? When the pupil is overawed, the press
randers to power conscience surrenders to eXpedi-
iSpu IN rrp ~
chy? When the heart Of the slave is breaking
with the anguish Of hope deferred, and our free
colored brethren are prosecuted even unto strange
cities
/ Is this time to lay our hands upon our mouths
when the ambassadors of Christ hold merchan-
die, and sell for filthy ucre, the members of his
own body: and, with the price of blood in their
hands, still break the sacramental bread? When
the sheperds of Gods hock in stead of carrying
his lambs in their arms, tear them from the fold,
and hurl them to be rent by wolvcs-and yet are
caressed by the church, accounted faithful shcp-
herds and worthy Of all honor? No.---with heart,
and soul and mind, and strength. We answer, No .
We cannot betray invOlabie trusts; we cannot
break our plighted faith we cannot surrender in
alienaGle rights; we cW not shout hosanna in the
train Of arbitary power, nor plot treason against
humanity nor apostati2e from God. No God
forbid that we should abandon cause that strikes
its roots deep into the soil Of human interests,
and human rights, and throws its branches upward
and abroad, so high and wide into the sunlight of
human hopes, and human wellbeing.
! The statement then proceeds to detail the ress-
ons urged by the faculty and board in justification
Of their suppression Of free speech. They are
many of them Of the most ridiculous character and
such as are now only to be heard in such places as
are frequented by the most vulgar and~unintelli
gent enemies of freedom. After this it proceeds
In the report of the committee it is made ground
of accusation that the anti-savery society of the
Seminary, was organized without the consent O
the trustees, the faculty; and the discussions
connected with it were without the assent, and
against the advice of the faculty" We answer
There was no law usage of the Institution max
ing it tho duty of the students to procure tie con
sent either Of the faculty, or the trustees to hole
any discussion, or form any society in the Semina
ry and it is not pretended that the discussion anC
the organization were forbidden by the faculty ol
the trustees; although they knew Of both. W.
had previously formed society for Inquiry on
Missions, Society, for mutual improvement, B
BILE Society," Foreign Mission Society and Society
fuI Miscellaneous Discussion, without asking theil
consents and no exception had been taken. Besides
the preamble and constitution of the AntiS Slavery
Society were read TO Dr. Beecher previous to publca
ton, in compliance with his request, and in its
entsre spirit and sentiments, received his sanction.
| At least two members of the faculty applied for
copies of the documents, which they distributed
in different parts of the country through the
Post-ofice. All the professors except, one atten-
ded parts of the debates. But "the Anti'Sayery
Society was organized without the consent Of the
trusteesW Indeed!
We have gone into this minute detail for two
reas sbns-lst, To give the facts Of the case and
to show how little credit is to be given to vague
rumors, when they pass through such magnify
ing medium as common fame; and, 2dy That we
might have an opportunity of declaring that we
are, and have always been, at al equal remove on
the one hand, from that ostentatious display of
superiority to opinion which woald induce vapor-
ing bravado to strut before the public eye, saying
come see my zeal for an equality of color:" and,
on the 9th er hand, from that compound of
pride, prejudice and scorn, which would either
the same table kneel at the same altar occupy the
snma seat at chnrch. or board IN the same family