Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-04-07
THE co1LEGE DIFFICULTY.

The recent emexte in College, as the demonstration
Of the students is fancfuy designated, has mortified
and grievcd every welwishcr of our State Institu-
ton. 1t is blow direct at its popularity and useful
ness; and this blow, wo constrained to add, has
been dealt by those who are reapng the advantages
Of the Collegeand upon grounds totally insufficient
to excuse its perpetrators. The is simply this
Tho students refused to obey the call of their profess
sors, summoning them to recitation. The ordinary
recitation rooms had been deled tit is unnecessary
to say howl and rendered unfit for tho occupation Of
the classoR The Faculty, upon ascertaning this to
be the fact agreed to open their own parlors for the
instruction of tho students until tho recitation rooms
could be ceansed and made fit for use. They noti-
fed the classes accordingly and summoned them to
attend. large portion of the students, about one
hundred in number, refused to observe and comply
with the notification and summons of the professors
Whereupon the recusants were suspended until the
first of next October.
We concur in the general opinion Of the press Of
tho State that the Fuculty have acted rightly in the
matter. They had no other course to take, in view
Of the increasing mperous necessity preserve good
government and enforce obedience to authority among
the youths committed to their guidance and instruc-
ton. The special pleading which the students pub
lsh in their Defence amounts to more than far
fetched apology for what they themselves feel to have
been fault It may be, as they say, that the laws
of College (tho ler scripta) do not require them to
attend recitation in any other place than in the lee
turc.rooms. But what students ever before doubted
that if by accident or otherwise these rooms became
impossible of use, it then part Of the duty and
authority of tho Faculty, to appoint some other con-
renient place or places at their discretion, and to
require attendance as usual upon lectures and recita
tions. What students ever before claimed exemption
from the privileges Of the College on this absurd and
unworthy ground? We believe it is the first demon
straton of the kind in the history of the College,
and, as an aumnus who looks to our time -honored
State Institution with affection md PRIDE we sincere
ly trust it will he the Inst.
We repeat then our conviction, and which we be-
licve is very general in South Carolina, that
the Faculty has acted well in dealing decsvely with
the offending students; And VIC heartily endorse the
suggestion of the Winnsboro Register, that the c1ami
nation, upon their return to College next October
should be strict and thorough-going In the mean
time let the young gentlemen think over their very
unnecessary and ill-timed demonstration and deter
mine to make such amends they for the injury
they have (thoughtlcssy no doubt inflicted upon
their alma mater. They best do this by carefully
keeping up with the studies of their respective years
by returning in October and saying to their profcs
sors frankly "we rroa9," and by setting m
ample of implicit obedience to all reasonable disc
pline for the future. In reply to the idea that
College is the verge of dissolution, we appropriate
the following brief statement contributed to the
Charleston Mercury by a " Subscriber"
MEssRs. EDIToRs Your paper, Of the 29th inst.
contained editorial notice with the heading: "Th
South Carolina College again broken up" I have
the catalogue before me, from which the classe
stood as follows:
Senior, SIS; Junior, 43; Sophomore, II; Freshmen
&c. Total, 2O1.
Tho suspensions are Senior, 80; Junior, 5; sopho
more, SO Freshmen, 3.
So that there are left in College in the performance
Of their duties:
Senior, %; Junior, 50; Sophomore, 8; Freshmen
%. Total, 81.
This statement is correct. 1t shows that each clas
will continue though with diminished numbers. Mos
of the young men will return, it is believed, whe
the period of their suspension is passed, and it ma
yet be that Notwithstanding recent events, the Col
lege through the hrmness of the Faculty,
"May, from the nettle danger,
Pluck the fower-safety."
As this institution is deeply seated in the affection
of our people, you will confer public benefit in pub
fishing this statement