New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-07
TIE LATE DISTURBANCE AT BETHANY
COLLEGE, VI.


IT, he Editor al The " L. T'ba@e
SIR: On the l4th and 18th of November, less, We,
the undersigned. broke off our connection with Beth
any College We did not take this step thoughtlessy,
but after due consideration deemed ourselves com
PEELED to do go contrary our intentions on entering
the college and to our pecuniay interests by our love
fhberty and humanity, our consciences and our re-
gion.
Partly in justice to ourselves partly account of
certain reports which have been widely circulated in
the newspapers doing wrong TO both parties, and
partv for the information of those friends and churches
in Ohio and Indiana by whom some of us were sent to
Bethany College, we beg leave to lay before candid
and discerning public the facts and causes which led
TO our departure, believing that the TRUTH properly
spoken will always be productive of good.
Bethany College, situated in Brooke County, North
western Virginia, il under the supervision OF Ed.
Alexander Campbell rs President, who, with his asso
ciates has long been understood a. maintaining the
right of liberty of speech all subjects even against
much sectarian opposition.
The college session commenced Oct. with $50 stu
dents, of whom about 100 were from the South aud
the rest from the North OF the ten who left, Mr. kim
mons of Illinois had been there two-and-a-haf year,
Mr.. Burns of Canada West, one year. ana the re-
naming eight matriculated at the beginning OF this
session. We all benetciaries except Messrs.
Burns and Eneel, and had all paid the maiueuiation
fee of $40. Burns, kimnlons and DOT were members
of the senior class.
II is well known that Southern students were in the
habit of referring TO and discussing the subject of
Slavery and heretofore it has not been against college
regulations.
10 engage in war discussed in the American Lit
erary Society After the regular discussion, Mr.
Eyerst of Ohio invited to speak on the question
He did 70, and in referring to a speech in which there
was an attempt to sustain war from the Bible, re-
marked that "the arguments to sustain War, Potyg-
"any and Slaoery belong to the same category
This remark elected expressions of dsapprobation
the time, though now 1t is referred to as an insult TO
the South.
On the following Lords day evening Mr.. Way of
Ohio by request, delivered discourse in the church,
in which he remarked that the emissaries of Satan
often misquote and misappy Scripture to sustain In
temperance, SpruaGsm and Slavery. This produced
quite sensation in the audience, and gained tor HIM
much i'll will and many threats.
At different times Southern students made flaming
Pro-Savery speeches in the societies, to all OF which
we silently listened.
On the morning of Oct 90 the Presidents lecture
on Sacred History upon Gen. XVI, in which,
after condemning pOygany, he spoke OF Hagars
being compelled by the mkndness of her mistress u
become n fugitive, saying that many benevolent men
Of the present day would have told her 10 return,
but not 70 the angel, and added: Gentlemen, how
" these relations come into existence, when once
" established, they not to be rashly and violently
" broken" This argument was well riveted by the
applauding heels Of Southern students.
phean Society, requested to speak on the propo-
sition discussed that evening, viz. 1.-THE United States
90 ought to have assisted Greece in her struggles for
" Liberty against the Turks" In doing he maze
the following points: His feelings would cause bin 10
argue the anilmative but reason, which frequently
differs from feeling, should be guide; hence in this
case J. ust support the negative The history of the
wora that some powers are to rule and Others
to be subject.
This princi) pie l. admitted in American politics IL
il also sanctioned in American theology for said be,
- you remember, gentlemen, that worthy Presi-
" dent lately remarked that however these relations
" come into existence, when established they are
" not to be rashy and violently broken" Notwitb-
standing these reasons his feelings would prompt the
desire tor universal liberty. This speech was made
pTeteXt by the South for some things which followed.
On the evening of Nov. the metropolitan Society
held it, anniversary, and addressed by Professor
Pendleton and DR. Allen, a student from Kentucky.
The President and nearly the entire Faculty hOnored
the occasion with their presence Mr. AS subject was
AbOlhiOnism and Negro-steaing, and his speech was
TRADE of abuse against Northern and principles.
Though it received with deafening cheers we
deemed it beneath our notice by way OF reply. And,
be it remembered, that the Faculty did not announce
TO Mr.. A. to the school, that such agitation of the
Slavery question was against the rules and interests OF
the college.
occupied the pulpit He did not seek this opportunity
but followed the aphabetic order Of those preparing
for the ministry. His subject was announced by the
President dc in the morning, namely The treat Prin-
FORE in the liberty wherewith Christ bath made "
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke Of
bondage" Gal, v.l. He had not only spoken
this discourse before but had chosen for this
sion previous to the metropolitan annversary--hence
it was not a reply to Mr. A. Toward evening" DR..
A. w. Campbell, church official, called on Mr.. b.
and requested him TO confine himself to religious
liberty the brethren rather tender those
Joints concealing the fact, however, that he made
this request by the authority of the President. To
this M. Il. replied that, although he intended to
treat OF Liberty in its broadcast sense, applying IL ~
10 particular nation institution, yet a. mGn and
Christian, be could not consent 10 be fcttefed in
regard TO freedom Of speech and that if they would
not trust 10 his judgment he would not address
them. He told to 20 on At the appointed
our large congregation assembled. Mr.. b.. after
introducing his subject spoke of the uniyersalty Of
this principle, and Of its power when combined with
patriotism; but when he spoke of it, power combined
with benevolence illustrating il by referring to the
example Of England in emancipating her West India
slaves using the most respectful language the excite
ment became intense, and tremendous stamping and
Kissing raised to silence him. Seeing, however,
that he not to be senced thus about one-third
Of the audience, led ~ few Missouri preachers,
rushed from the house pellmel with loud cries and i'm
precautions, which were prolonged in the night air and
echoed from bill to bill. The speaker paused for ses
moments only till the audience should become com
posed. Nr. Eneel said go on, when he again pro
oeeded For this Mr.. Eneel severely censured by
the Faculty, one Of the Professors saying that never
before had his feelings been so deeply wounded, ana
that II was the gre atest insult be had known Of
fered TO any audience. Without, short calm sue,
ceeded the burt Of the storm in which the eemens@
disorder were organized into mob and measures de-
vised for further outrages.
The calm was soon broken by loud thumpng under
the floor in the basement on the sides OF the house.
and on the windows some OF which were violently
"A \ HI. ..n - ~