The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-11-12
From the South Carolinian.
The South Carolina College.

Carolina College, who has travelled ON the
OF Europe, as an offering for the Continent
benefit OF his loved Alma Mater. 1t contains
the substance of previous conversation on
the subject Of college reform. We have OBJ
tanned 1t for our columns, in order that it
may be more ganerally circulated:
TO His Erceilency R. Z. ". .AYstoo.
DEAR SIR: In compliance with your re-
quest | have hastily thrown together my
views on the subject of college reform, and
such as they are, respectfully submit them
for your consideration.
L repeat what | said 70 you in conversa.
tons-it matters little what name we give
the institution, whether college or universi
ty, provided there be proper arrangement,
of discipline and of study.
In providing for the success of an insti
tuition of learning, two things mainly are to
be considered: first. the provisions made for
the discipline and government of the mem.
bers; secondly, the methods of instruction
pursued therein, or the appliances for the
acquisition of knowledge.
IL is chiefly in reference 10 the former
think, that our college has failed to dcvel.
op the grand results, which, from its fine
endowments, might reasonably have been
expected from it. 1t has been found want.
ing in the very element, which, above all.
things, constituted good government
mean community of feeling and Of pur.
pose between the governors and the govern.
ed; between the professors and the students.
These seem TO have exhibited towards each
other constant antagonism. Little i'm.
pressed by their mutual Obligations TO pro-
mote each others welfare, they have enter.
tanned toward each other feelings of indif.
ference and independence, and for nearly
forty years have clashed in ,her conduct. TO
their mutual injury, ard TO the great detri-
nent OF the institution OF which they have
been constituent parts. 1t needs no philo-
sophie pen TO predict that no change for tie
better can occur in future, unless some posi-
tive retorm-new elements Of discipliue-
shall be introduced
1t Is q well-established principle in GOV.
ernment, whether rs applied 10 small bodies
or large ones, that there must be one pow
er 10 make laws-a separate one TO Judge
them-aud another 10 superintend their
execution. Among people accustomed 10
political liberty, no government can bc sue
cesstul without such distribution of power
And the principle is us applicable to the
college AS to the State. A large number OF
the "itanoos committed within the college
walls have personal concern with some one
or other nf Ito Faculty; and we could as
soon expect community of citizens 10 be
satisfied with the administration of Justice
which authorizes the offended 10 sit in iudr
lhent over the offender, as 10 expect sa,ls
factory administration OF the COLLEGE laws
when the professor is allowed TO 90 reekinc
rom the scene Of personal insult, 10 iudre
ana pass sentence upon the student who
mas offended him. Such an administration
is against the course Of nature and of rca.
son, and can never succeed, though applied
under the most favorable circumstances. 1t
Is one OF the great principles of government
and OF public liberty, that an impartial tri
bunal must stand between the Injured and
the accused-and il is another great princi-
pie, that the law should be executed in .
passloniess spirit, according 10 the rules Of
a merciful justice.
The first thing, then, TO he sought after
IN establishing proper discipline for the
college, Is supervising executive officer q;
matters not whether he be called president.
chancellor, proctor or .ector,) whose duty
IL shall be, III conjunction with the Faculty.
To have An eye 10 the conduct and diliyence
OF the students, and who, removed as far as
possible from all temptations TO partiaIi,y
should see that the discipline of tic COLLEGE
be properly and wisely carried into effect.
Ills duties should be well defined. and he
should have no connection with the lilera
~ exercises of the institution. In all ordi.
nary offences, presenting few difficulties and
requiring little or no investigation OF law
and OF facts, the judgment of this officer
VIII suffice; but graver matters frequently
arise, such as rebelons, insults to profess.
orS' secret violations Of the college laws, &c,
in which it is often necessary 10 investigate
and decide Judicially and impartially.
In the second place, then, there should
oe competent court in the college, with a
Judge at the head Of it, having regularly
defined powers, with authority to make !,
thorough legal investigation Of all offence,
against The laws, aud to administer such
PunlShments as The law may prescribe.
SubJecting the student to the strict di,cj.
pline Of law, will not, know, suit the taste
OF some who rely altogether upon the prin.
clPIe OF honor in governing the young men
OF the college; but what, ask, is tie basis
OF all true honor but proper observance of
laws framed upon the principles of Justice
and honor! To what is the appeal of hon.
or made, if not TO the observance of those
very laws: Certainly not to the mere
whims aud caprice Of a young mans con.
science! ihls would be anything else than
II code oi honor. a proper spirit Of subor
dInatlon to law is worth more to the YOUNG
men in Republican Government dian aIl
the vapory notions of genlemanly conduct
they cal. possibly acquire in the so.cullel
schools of !.onor. But true gentemanlv
conduct is over and beyond the law. II !,
the offspring Of a native generosity Of char.
acter, which the law can build Out and per-
feet, but can never destroy. Besides. yoinn