The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-12-24
Corrcspon dtnceof lie Cam den. Journal


ardor of the advocate, upon the character of the
writings, genius, and literary productions OF
DR.. LirLer TO that article we cannot add a
worL-his fame is equally beyond our censure
or arriausc.-we we could neither detract from it
nor ada to it. Judge Story, whose brilliant
mind, profound research, and discriminating
anal sis of the principles of the Civil Law, and
nice and just application to the complicated if-
fairs OF our Republic, sheds such blaze of
glory around our Jurisprudence. Chancellor
Kent, whose masculine, yet subtitle intellect and
legal acumcn dissipatod the mysteries and
unfolded the beauties Of the stern and uncom
promising Common Law. Bancroft, Prescott,
Stman, eminent Civilians, Historians and
: Orators all concur in their testimony to the
varied erudiiion, bold originality, and compre-
hensive genius Of DR.. Lieber.
Mr. Editor, we are willing to accord 10 the
Board Of Trustees of the South Carolina Col
lege sagacity to discern, patriotism to prefer,
and eagerness to execute whatever is most ben
efcial to the interests Of our College, but we
cannot let the opportunity Of commenting upon
its late action in relation to the Presidency, pass
unhcedrd. We are no adrocate, whose distem.
percd Imagination sees truth OIL the side Of his
preiudices-we speak the language Of truth and
soberness. Plainly and honestly then, the
claims of the distinguished foreigner, Lieber,
have either been not seriouSy considered at oil,
or if entertained, his contribution to science, his
fitness for the place, his long years Of devoted
ness to his adopted country have not received
their full value, and he stands an injured mar,
lily roquiied for his past services. This man,
with his noble intellect has been lost to our
State, and the place which should have been
illed by him, occupied by another, Norlhcrner
by birth and education, if not in principles and
politics. For twenty years has he been laboring
for us and with us-whcn reduced to the last
extremity -languishing and dying-our noble
College withering with the fatal poison, too
successfully administered by the bold and
seductive advocate of Atheism-whcn students
fled from her threshold as from moral pollution
and death, gradually and surely he raised
her from. her degradation, diffused through the
length and breadth Of our land noble and
elevated principles Of morality, and prepared the
way for the introduction of purer moral ethics
taught by professional di'ines.
With an affectalion Of superior sagacty it
has been snecring!y remarked that his admins.
tratve ability is not equal in degree or kind to
the arduous task Of governing the College
Now, none Of the Faculty have contributed 50
much as he has to the present kind understand
ing and relation existing between the Students
anG the Faculty. His lecture room is not the
scene of passionate cbulllion aud harsh dicla,
but of conciIiatory and dignifed Kindness on the
one hand, and, in general respectful attention
~ IL. F.n
from his lils. ! say in general, for beyond
doubt there are minds so unfortunately consti-
trtel not t" Le aLIo to behold condcaecnsion
which cannot see any departure from the rule Of
rigid severity, without considering it "A loss of
dignity, aid regard any advance dictated by
poteucss as an offer Of personal fricnG>hil.-
Sclf >uficicncy breeds such sweet complaccncy,
and intense admiration Of SELF that they behold
nothing cnn"bling in dignity, nothing Of au-
thurity in station, and nothing conciatng and
winning in politencSS. Another distinct charge
is partially now, it is a well known fact that
there is less COM aint among the Students as
respects their relative stands in his department,
than, perhaps, Oh that o! any other professor;
lie is asudrnt of human nature and wherever
he sees cccenfriity pecuiiarity which promises
by ransackiny Lhe consciousness Of the person,
the development Of a psychological 1act, which
will be one more link in the chain Of the proof
Of mans incxtingui>hable individuality, he takes
opportunities OF convcrSing with Kim, and this is
the only foundation Of the charge Of favourt
ism.
understand from authority every way re-
sron.ibie and reliable, that the professors are
mortified and disappointed, and that all concur
in saving that if the President was to be chosen
from the Faculty, the claims Of DR.. Lcber inf
niicly transcribed those Of any other. The
Board, in effect say, We knoW you MIR. Pelham,
we knosU YOU DR.. LaBordc, We know You, DR..
Brumby, we hmow. you DR.. Lieber, but we
don't know any nything about Professor McCay,
so we will make linn President. Thus is the
an insult not only to Dr.. Licber, but to the
whole Faculty. Who is President McCay
Professor Of Il years standing. What are
his contributions to science? We confess our
ignorance. What were his claims t. the l'reSi
dency? Great perhaps, bat infinitely inferior
to Liehers. Who is Licbcr? a laborcr for
twenty years in our College. What has he done
for science! Let the French Institute, whose
portals swing open, only to admit the majestic
and authoritative stride of genius, answcr-let
The English and German Universities answer
let his own works, breathing the sanclty Of law,
ns inct with the noblcst ethics, and starred with
the sublimest truths gathered on the shores Of
our great emotional deep proudly answer. No
wonder the iustrious scholar has given notice
of his intention TO resign; to remain were to
compromise his dignity. One more remark and
close. 1t has been said that the College went
down, when DR.. Licbcr was acting President