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

1t is theirs to direct the inquiries of their stu
dents; but they must have care to direct them
wholly by principle. If they find the students
disposed to shrink from the practical results of
their discussions or to flee in panic when called
ultraists to reverse their decision at the bidding
of mob it is theirs, faithful leaders, to inspire
them with fresh courage and impel them forward.
If a student should not submit to be directed by
principle it is conclusive evidence that he is not
ft to search after principle; and in such case the
faculty have unquesticncd power to discipline or
dismiss.
If it be objected that such u system of govern
mont IS liable to abuse by students, we answer, be
it So Moral agency is abused by every sinner.
Liberty is liable to abuse and so is religion. lIea-
ven was abused by devils and Paradise was prosti.
tuted by Adam. The best principles, as well as
the best things liable to abuse. But there is II
remedy; the same that God adopted with the fall
len angels and our first parents = Expulsion. We
know Of no other. Inhibition Of free discussion is
ruin, not Umedy
But perhaps it may be asked, 'weIe the laws in
question really intended to have this bearing?"
We answer; those of us who were present at the
beginning Of the term waited several times upon
the faculty to hear Meir exposition Of the laws.
We give them credit for the exertion Of their ut
most powers to exhibit the laws in n favorable
light, but still compelled to say that we are
only confirmed in our disapproval of the laws by
these interviews And we add with pain and grief
that all their communications upon the subject
were not only unsatisfactory, hut, according to our
principles, radically defective. We looked in vain
for that profound veneration for free inquiry which
makes every consideration of popularity, gain and
safety, bow before it. Discussion was recognized
rather as privilege which could be granted at
the discretion of the faculty than as duty and a
right above their bestowment.
We noticed, also, little contraricty in their
sentiments at different times, with regard to the
laws in question: for though they stated in their
written exposition that they saw nothing in these
regulation which was not common in all well regu-
lated institutions, yet afterwards they expressed
their deep regret at the action of the trustees upon
this matter, assuring US that they had labored hard
to keep it out of their hands. The prominent de-
feet, however, running throughout their expostions
we onceive to be. sanctioning the principle that
the exciting nature Of any question, is good
ground for discussion, and that the unpopmarify of
moral action, warrants its discontinuancc. Here
Is the point Of Wter difference bettreeH as. The
ground of our secession is thus fully conceded.
We never supposed that we should be prohibited
from discussing questions which have already
fought their way to the throne Of public opinion.
And doubtless we could now return to the Seinna.
ry and teach our Sabbath schools, and talk about
missions, and emperance-(steerin clear of the
wine question: the year round, without molesta
ton. But this is but q mere mockery of discus
sion, so long perverted public sentiment car
say to us, "hHertO shalt MOW come dHa no Tarther
W Whatever may have been the motive of the board
ul lruslceS, lHey nave urlNen lne plOuSn-SnarC
across tho whole field of inquiry. There is no one
subject of discussion, not one benevolent enter
PRISE that is not thus placed at the mercy Of ca
prlclous populace.
The time may yet come when the prosecution of
temperance will rouse the fend in man then tenn
perance must be arrested and rolled back. The
demon OF mobs may yet denounce our peace soci-
cites, our moral reform, and our sabbath cause,
ana they too must perish. lie may menace our
Saooath schools, ana they must be discontinued
Next ne may marx our missionary operations, with
his imperial veto, and then III VAIN Will the heathen
cry to US tor heip ana point to their funeral pile,
their bloody Moloch and deyourng Ganges. Like
their ldol gods' we shal nave no ear to hear, no
arm to save. hmboldened by success, the demon
may drag our ministers from the pulpit, strew our
affairs IN uesolation, ana raze our sanctuarles to
the ground; Nho can tell IL we quail at his
nrst eeDie mss now long before he Will roar out OF
DaSnah ana thuhder from Ldom!
Inc 1Ciiy and wickedness OF making public SEN
hment the standard by which theological students
are 70 determine outy mas already peen presented
10 the poUlc' ny one Oh our number, IN letter
addressed to the editor oi the "VeStern 4Ho"thty
-u4Ta~'"e'
we avail ourselves OF an extract from that COM
munlc9tlon the more readliy because IL was read
10 the rresloeht OF Lane seminary at MS request,
previously 10 lls puDucatioh' lie gave 10 its SEN
nmGnts ms enquaiihGu appreciation; ana 1t was
Puoi'siie" WIN MS hno"leugo anu nearly ap-
proVai'
"na'! are our theoloalcal semlnarles TO De awed
INTO silence upon me great questohs OF human
duty? Are they to be bribed over to the interests
of an unholy public sentiment, by promises OF
patronage or threats OF ITS withdrawal? Shall
they be tutored INTO passlylty, and thrown to toat
like dead matter IN the wake or the popular Will,
the satellite and the slave of its shifting vagares
Are theological students to be put under board
of conservaors, with special instructions to stie
all discussion, except on the popular side? In Sc
ecting themes for discussion, are the students to
avoid those which are of great public concernment
whose issues involve all human interests, and
whose claims are as wide and deep, as right and
wrong and veal and woe can make them? In tax
ing sides upon such question, the student must
needs inquire not where is right and what is duty
not which side is worthy of support, not what will
quicken the church, turn the nations from their
idols, pioneer into being the glories of the mllen