Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-23

who had singular powers Of eloquence.-
About this time VIM. Lloyd Garrison appear
ed in the public as an emancipationist. The
students Of Lane held discussions for eight
consecutive evenings and in the end almost
all Of them announced themselves decided
ly anti-slavery, at the sacrifice, it might be,
of home and friends. During the summer
vacation the Trustees passed law that sIa-
very should be no longer discussed. The stu
dents return ed, and four ffths of them left
the institution and concluded their studies
alone on account of this prohibition.
In 1884, Mr.. Shepherd visited Cincinnati,
and there met with Rer.Asa Mahan, former
ly a teacher in Lane Seminary, but who had
protested against the action Of the Trustees.
Mr.. Shepherd on his return recommended to
the Trustees of Oberlin College to pass re-
solution that students should be admitted
without regard to color. He also hoped they
would appoint Rev. Asa Mahan, President,
and Rev. John Morgan as Vice President
The matter was largely discussed, and young
ladies, who were attending this institution,
declared that if colored students were ad-
mitted to the school they would return to
their homes, ifthey had to wade Lake Erie
to accomplish it. They afterwards changed
their minds. At a meeting of the Trustees,
the discussion was long and earnest, the final
vote was equal for both sides, and Father
Keep gave the casting vote in favor of ad-
mitting colored students to the school. ZAP
plause.) This determined the question on
the subject of slavery, and no other action
has been rendered since.
There were as yet no eolored students wait
ing for admission, and when one solitary
colored youth was seen by the son of one of
the Trustees entering the settlement, he ran
to his father crying, "They're coming, father,
they're coming" ....r-
At the same meeting of the Trustees, Rev.
Charles Finney, Of New York, was appoint
ed to the chair in the Theological Depart
ment. The school was at once transferred
from a College to a University.
A sort of guerrilla conference was kept up
between the surrounding country and 0ber-
lin College. Students were assailed with
words and sometimes blows. The guide
boards pointing to Oberlin were decorated
with terms of reproach. Until a very few
years ago, one six miles north, directed to
Oberlin, but instead of the usual index fin
ger, there was a full length negro, running
at full speed toward the place.
Oberlin was an important station in the
Underground Railroad. By special arrange
ment the trains were only rnn at night
Volumes might be written of the adventures
on this train. There is one fact which we
repeat with pleasure, it is that no fugitive
was ever yet taken from here back to sla-
very. (APplause.)
Much matter connected with the history
of the school was omitted for want of time.
Each battered and weather beaten building
has history. The oldest one is Oberlin Hall
built in 1888, embracing the boarding house,
meeting house, and Professors apartments
rHe se00HOl-'y - --ras the boarding hall,
erected in 1885, fnisheu . -
and then for young ladies. Colonial Hall
was built in 1885. Chapel Hall was COM
menced the same year and completed in the
following year. A new chapel was erected
in 1854. The aggregate first cost was about
$4,000.
The early commencements were held in
a large tent. In 1912 the Oberlin Church
was commenced. It affords seats for 200
people and a shade for half as many more.
Prof Fairchilds then called over the num-
bers of the occupants of Tappan Hall in lS4O.
and made comments npOn each, stating in
brief, their history and present location. Most
have been pastors and are so still; some have
{" gone to rest" The speakers eye filled and
his voice failed him as he referred to these
last. The names then of the ladies of Tap
pan Hall of the same year were read and
their present position stated. They are scat
tered all over the world, the most of them
wives of pastors.
In reference to the wants Of the College,
thespeaker sand that $50, 900 are much needed
for new Ladies' Hall. The College library
has about 5000 volumes-for which new
building is wanted, which should cost SIS, 600
to accommodate cabinet, library, observa-
tory, &c, the latter of which can be fitted up
for $4,000. Further help is needed to assist
INDECENT pupils. A legacy of DR.. Phelps of
Pittsburgh, yields fund of $4,000 for the
education of colored students.
Prof Fairchild closed with a summing up
of the results of the school. The whole dis
course was full to overhowing with matters
of interest The alumni, who were present
must have enjoyed it highly, and none in the
audience could be Indifferent or drowsy un-
derits delivery. We are glad to know that the
address is published, and as a suscinct history
of the College, it will each year increase in
value.
THE COLLATION..
,,o.A 4 .g,TooI- n oo11offnn ruoa aerv-