Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-07-09
From the Springfield Republican.
THE COLLEGE CODE OF HONG

IHE COLLEGE CODE OF HONOR.
We noticed few days since the fact that
the students of Williams College had voted
in effect to revise the general college code of
honor, by agreeing to give information Of
lniractons of the college laws, when called
upon to do so. We do not state the language
OF the vote, but this is its meaning. We have
received communication from one of the
minority finding fault with the vote and the
manner of obtaining it. We do not sympa-
thize with our correspondent, and we tell him
the reason There is no propriety in requir-
ing the whole body OF students in college
to sustain the disgrace of the reprehensble
acts of individuals, or, by silence or essential
perjury to assume the responsibility of the
acts of individuals. 1t is, therefore, u false
code OF honor which compels the innocent to
become protectors and patrons of the guilty.
This gives the principle of the matter in II
nutshell, but there are considerations to be
stated, more or less directly related to it,
The character ofa college rests necessarily
very much upon the character of the students
1t is very much, in fact, in their keeping.
All those students who have so little at heart
the honor of their college as to be willing to
tramplc upon its rules, or to do disgraceful
things outside of it, are enemies to the good
name and prosperity of the college, and for
felt the consideration of those who are deter
mined to maintain the order and the charac-
tor OF the institution. Any code of honor,
therefore, which makes it disgrace for them
to testify against the enemies of the order and
character of the college, is perfect inexcus-
able despotism. 1t compels them, and COM
pels the institution itself, to shoulder the dis
grace which a few only have earned. Again
it takes out of their hands all power to re-
form bad practices. A bad student unre-
strained from evil courses or spertive mis-
chief by moral or other considerations will
persevere in his conduct wherever there exists
the understanding that it is disgrace for a
fellow student to testify against him.
1t is precisely in college as in general soci-
ETY.. In the latter we have community of
individuals, each having stake in the main
tenance of public order, each bound to do
nothing to initiate against the general inter-
est and common reputation. But when there
arises in general society a rebel against its
laws. a foe to its good order, a contemner of
its good name and reputation, he is regarded
as an enemy. 1t becomes point of honor
with all good men, to testify against such an
enemy whenever required to doso. A man who
should refuse to do SO would be universally
condemned, and he would deserve his DOOM
1t is not an honorable thing in society to
cover the guilty,-is most dishonorable
thing, and is essentially an endorsement of
the guilt and its perpetrator Now Col
lege is a little community. 1t is form of
society, subject, for a purpose and for linn
tied time, to certain wise and necessary reg
ulations. Without these, the college cannot
efficiently exist. and all good members of such
community are interested in maintaining
its order and its character. 1t should, there
fore, be a point of honor with them to testify,
when called upon to DO so, against those who
compromise the community and its interests
The character of spy or informer has never
been a respectable one, either in society or
in college, and we find no fault with the fact.
Espionage is business which nothing;but of
fetal duty will warrant, and render endur-
able. The man who mouses after the faults
and failings of his neighbors, and does it for
the purpose of reporting them, is mischief
maker, and is essentially as much foe to
social and college uidcr tho ovort trans
gressor of law. All sin, if worth reporting,
finds itself out. Hen roosts and pear trees
are as vocal as murder. 1t is not necessary
for a man in society, or for student in col
ledge, to be an informer. 1t is Il mean bust
ness, save when it is engaged in for the reve-
laton of some crime, in itself great, or sub
versive and revolutionary in its tendencies.
IL
high duty, involving the purest personal
honor. But when the culprit is brought
before the constituted authorities, either in
society or college, and members of the re-
spective communities are brought up to tell
what they know, they cannot refuse to tell
without dishonor There is no apology for
equivocation or Justification in any respect,
and we are glad that there is one band of
students in the land who have had the man.
illness to say that in circums ances like these
they will stand by the college, and their own
honor, against those who bring disgrace
upon the college and dishonor upon them.
Our correspondent asks: " Are we bound
to support the faculty when they exercise a
spiritual despotism over us? Mus@
we help enforce their laws when we have no
share in making or repeating them?'' We
answer, most decidedly, in the Affirmative
College laws are not made by college students,
and we think it very well that they are not ;
bat they are adopted-obligatio to obey
them is assumed-by every man who enrolls
himself among the students. The simple
act of entering college is the Endorsement,
adoption, and essential approval, of the laws
by which the college is governed. Nothing
but withdrawal from college can release one
from the obligation Of obedience and stu
dent who, from any false sense of honor,
declines to testify truthfully against break
er of the laws by which he consents to be
governed, and which are his own as really as
if he made them, is as unjust to himself as to
the college.