Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-03-13
From the Columbia Times.
The South Carolina College.

Will De reSuuleU Ou HcuucSudJ ucAep oAtSi - ooo
pension of three weeks, which was made necessary
BY the excited state Of feeling amongst the stu
dents, consequent, in part Of the late unfortun-
ate and much to be regretted disturbance Of the
friendly relations heretofore subsisting between
them and our city authorities. The interregnum
has, we trust superinduced reflection and the $50
Der second thought of the young gentlemen of
the College, and has allayed the high excitement
which lately swayed their feelings, and warped,
as we think, their judgments
If it shall produce this result, the vacation will
not be devoid Of profit. They will return, at the
appointed time, forgetting the past as far as may
be, once more address themselves to their accus-
toned exercises and duties with that assiduity
which has heretofore marked their connection with
the College We hope that they will return: that
not one will stay away. And whilst we would not
have them forget that high sense Of honor which
ALWAYS marks the character of the gentleman ;
whilst we would not counsel them to cringe or mean
" fawn to any tyrannous exercise Of authority,
we would still have them yield cheerful obedi-
ence to the officers Of the College, and show them
that respect which is their DUE in the full conf.
dence that those officers will not exact anything
which is not right and proper, and conductive to
the best interests Of the students, and the welfare
of the institution they have in charge. They fill
no sinecures, who occupy the Presidential and
HrOIeSSOIl6l
If they fully and properly acquit themselves Of
their high charge. Their labors are arduous,
their duties are many and manifold, and great
are their responsibilities, to the College, to
the students, and to the public, under the most
favorable circumstances. 1t is manifest TO every
candid and right-thinking mind, that it is abso-
lutcly essential to the profitable and faithful dis
charge Of those abors duties and responsibilities,
that law and authority, according to law, shall be
supreme If insubordination and misrule prevail,
manifestly they but add to the mighty weight Of
responsibilities resting upon the President and
Professors, md connection with the College will
prove utterly pro6tless to the students. We trust
TINT these thoughts have obtruded themselves up
on the minds of all the young gentlemen, during
the three weeks of vacation, and that they will re-
turn to the College halls, resolved to cheerful,
fllial-like obedience to mild, though firm, par
ental-like authority.
In this connection it is proper that we should
pen word or two in defence of Mr.. McCay, the
able and worthy President of the College. Hehas
been assailed in various quarters, from within and
from without the College. At his door have been
laid all the late disturbances. To his election to
the Presidency has been ascrbed the spirit of dis
satisfaction and insubordination which lately pre-
vailed among the students; and it is alleged that
he is inefcient-unequal to the duties and respon-
sibilties which have been laid upon him. These
ore very grave allegations, and, if they were true
and just the Trustees should ut once remove him,
how painful soeyer the duty may be. But we
would ask, are they true-are they just?
But little more than two years have elapsed
since Mr. McCay was invited by the Board of
Trustees to occupy the Professorship Of Mathe-
mates and Mechanical Philosophy. We say in
vited, for we have been informed by member Of
the Board, that Mr.. McCay was put in nomination
IL. L.. - ulolr ,,,,f
The two years during which he filled the Profess
sorial chair-ably filled it, too, seemed to have
suffced, in the estimation Of the Board of Trus-
tees, to show forth his qualities and qualifications
to be the successor of DR.. Thornwell. He was
elected President by vote of two-thirds Of the
Trustees present over all pettors-a very hand
some compliment, and one worthily bestowed, we
are authorized to say by on acquaintance of form
er days with Mr.. McCay, in the relation of teach
er and pupil. 1t was an unsought honor, too; for
we have been informed by member of the Board
that, so far as his knowledge extended, Mr.. Nc
Cay did not solicit the place of the Trustees. And
we have been further informed that he hesitated
about accepting it. Yet scarce two months have
elapsed-before he has had time to vindicate the
choice Of the Trustees, or to show that they COM
mitted an error in electing him-the charge Of eff
cheney is preferred against him. He has been con-
demned without a fair trial-without fair op-
portunity Of showing whether or no he can dis
charge the duties Of President. Is this just? Does
it comport with Carolina fairness and courtesy?-
How, then, can the late insubordination be ascli-
bed to his ineficiency? How can he be charged
with being the cause of the late disturbance!
More than this no sooner was Mr.. McCay elect
ed, than the newspapers in various quarters of
the State condemned his election before he had
got warm in his seat or had an opportunity of
showing his fitness or unftness for the position
1t is said, too-re know not whether the rumor
be true or fase-that there is disafection towards
him in the Faculty. What wonder, then, if the
students inspired some of the same spirit, and ex-
hibited it in acts of disobedence and insubordina-
ton?
But supposing Mr.. McCay is not competent for
the proper discharge Of the responsible and labor
Gus duties of the Presidency: who are the proper
persons to be censured? Manifestly the Board of
Trustees who elected him without any solicitation
on his part. Is he to be condemned, without o
trial too because he did not decline the profered
honor? Surely not. And who have had better
opportunities of judging of his fitness than the
Trustees? With full knowledge Of his qualities
and qualifications with full appreciation Of their
high responsibilities, conscious that the welfare
of the College depended greatly upon their elect
ing proper man, and prompted solely by patri-
otic motives, and not by spirit Of tavoritism, the
Trustees elected Mr.. McCay, and their electonis
the very highest evidence Of his fitness, until the
contrary shall appear after fair and impartial
trial. Give him at least q fair trial, and we war
rant that he will triumphantly vndcate the choice
of the Trustees But, if any error has been COM
mitted, it has been committed by the Board Of
Trustees. They are the proper persons to be GEN.
sured, If indeed some one must be censured.