Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-04-14

UT OI tne StuQe0tS, without the
appreciation of the Faculty prohibiting tho call
ing or holding Of meetings among the students,
without the appreciation of the Faculty, prohibit
ing students from delivering public lectures at the
Seminary or elsewhere, without the leave of the
Faculty; prohibiting public staternontc or commu-
aicatons tO tho students, when assembled at their
meals, or on ordinary occasions, without the ap
probation of the Faculty; reqniriDg the Anti
Slavery Society and the Colonization Society of
the Seminary to be abolished, and prohibiting any
students from acting as members thereof and
prohibiting any student from being absont from
the Seminary, at any time, in term time, without
the leave of the Faculty or ofsuch person as they
shall designate for that purpose end providing
for dscouraging and discountenancing by all suit
able means, such discussions and conduct among
the students as are calculated to divert their at.
tention from their studies, excite party animosities
stir up evil passions among themselves, or in
the community, or involve themselves with the
political concerns Of the country also, providing
as in other cases. for the dismissal Of any student
neglooting to comply with these regulations"
In order to strike at the Anti Slavery SJciety, it
was thus found necessary iariia Niuerva, to abol-
ish the Colonization Society at the same time. Ac-
ton on the report deferred till all the Faculty
should bo on hand, but in rhe meanwhile the re.
port was published.
Early in September, the Board of Trustees met
and adopted the report adding thereto an Order
empowering the Executive Committee to expel
any student from the Seminary, whenever they
they shall think it necessary SO to do thus max
ing expulsion not consequent upon the violation
Of In w 1n0oI 1tv b,tt 81, I
arbitrary power, dictated by the caprice of body
OF men who have no intercourse with the students
On the 18th the laws were promulgated Most OF
the students trusted that the Faculty, end especa-
iy the President. would arrest their operation, on
their return, which the Trustees had not waited ;
but when Professor Stowe came back and acuui-
esed, the ma ority of the students Immediately de-
mandod and obtained regular dismissions from the
Seminary. Those absent during the vacation ask
dismissions as soon as they returned. Every mem
Der of the Anti-Slavery Society Withdrew, although
in most cases, the sacrifice was great. Many we're
almost or quite out of funds, or already much in
debt, and were obliged to borrow, or to sell their
furniture for mere song, to enable them to reach
home. Bearing in mind that from forty to fifty
Of them were from four hundred to eight hundred
miles from home, we can appreciate in some meas
ure, the heroism OF the sacrifice.
The Order before referred to was particularly
intended for Theodore D. Weld, who had taken
prominent part in the debates, and, INN odiately
after its passage, it moved that he 6e expell,
cd because he had introduced abolition into the
Seminary, and would endanger its prosperity by
remaining member. While this motion was
pending, and while the other students were leav-
ing or had left the Institution, Weld went to the
Faculty, and told them he should not ask for his
dismission until his case had been settled. After
many delays and postporements, the question was
finally acted upon, and Weld was oxonerated.
lie was then honorably dismissed, on his applioa-
tion to that effect.
On the 18th Of October, the Faculty published
Declaration, Of which Nos. 3 and read as fol-
lows:
%. But while associations for free inquiry and
for voluntary public action will within these lin
itF, be approved and encouraged, associations ror
social public action too absorbing for health and
the most favorable prosecution of study, and bear
ing upon divided and excited community, and
touching subjects Of great national difficulty, and
high political interests and conducted ia man
ner to offend needlessy public sentiment and to
commit the Seminary and its Influences, and this
according to the unreguAed discretion of the
students and in opposition to the advice of the Fac
ulty, we cannot permit, without betraying the
trust Eeposed in us and disregarding the laws and
usages of all kindred institutions.
4. In respect to the two Orders, passed by the
Trustees, we regard the dissolution Of the two So
cieties called for by the necessities OF the case
and the second Order We regard as simply vestinc
the Executive Committee with trustee power in
certain cases,and not intended TO interfere with
the appropriate duties of the Faculty, or the rights
of Students
Towards the close of the year 1884 was issued
Statement of the Reasons which have induced
the Students of Lane Seminary to dissolve their
connection with that Institution. Cincinnati,
1884" We make the following extracts:
Free discussion, being duty is consequently
a right and, as such, is inherent and inalienable.
1t is oW right. 1t toaa before We entered Lane
Seminary privileges we might and did relin-
quish advantages we might and did receive. But
this right the Institution could neither give nor
take away Theological institutions must of
course recognise this immutable principle Pro-
scrption of free discussion is sacrilege Il is
boring out the eyes Of the soul 1t is tho robbery
of mind. 1t is the burial of truth. II institutions
cannot stand upon this broad footing let them
fall Better, infinitely better, that the mob demol-
ish every building. or the incendiary wrap them in
flames, and the young men be sent home to ask
their fathers What is truth P--to question ma.
tunes million voices--her forests and her hoary
is truth p than that theoogic
al Semiuarcs should become bastiles, our thoolog-
ical students thinkers by permission, and the right
Of free discussion tanned down into souIless
thing of gracious, condeeending sulferance.
r.
by the right of free discussion, we do not
mean that We have the right to employ for that
purpose the time appropriated to other dulies nor
that wo hayo the right to occupy the public
rooms without permission, nor to conduct the dis
ouasion otherwise than in the spirit Of Christian