Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-02-04


Since our last issue we have been called upon
at our Office by fresh exile who was recently
driven away. in very elegant and polite style,
from very aristocratic circle of society in Ala
hama. The manner of the expulsion was so
dainty chiVarous that we cannot torbcar to mar
rate the circumstances.
DIR. Mcics Case. an intelligent and educated
gentleman. formerly OF Ot>cgO county, in this
State, went to SALEM Alabama. in September
last to take charge of the \iabIma Female Col
lcge. This Institution, which had formerly been
prosperous, had for some years past been run
ming down under the net ,ient management of
southern teachers. DIR. Case, on arriving at
Salem. found himself volc..aod bv the most in
tcliigent part Of the community who said to
him. I'VE have 70 look to the North for teach
ers. for We never vet have found a southern man
who was not too lazy to teach Il schonl.' 80 DR..
Case, found that the old field school," or the
"ten-hour" system was in vogue in that town,
as in many other parts of the State. According
to this system the scholars and teachers 20 to
school at daylight, and stay al day in or around
the school buildings. Each scholar recites, not
in a class with Others, but by himself Alter
his lesson is over, he roaus about the grounds
and INDUCES himself in pleasing variety OF
idle amusements. This constitutes, in Alabama,
"a day sChUulitS."
DR.. Case, after receiving assurances Of aid
from the chief citizens of the place. agreed to
undertake the management of the institution.
lie Immediately began making arrangements for
the thorough reorganization of the establish
ment His design was to begin the first term
with the beginning of the wear. To this end he
wrote to the North and engaged the services OF
assistant teachers, ordered from northern pub
fishers the necessary school-books. and sent for
other members of his family. Bat while the
teachers, the books and the family were Just on
the point OF starting for the South, he was wait
ed on by COMMITTEE on the Safety of the
Union,' who politely informed him that public
opinion, during the last few months. had under
gon such remarkable changes that it was now
no longer eXpedicnt to permit the residence OF
northern man in southern community. The
time had come they said, when southern men
must be wa,chtul of their institutions, and must
rid themselves promptly of all persons whose
influence was likely to be cast, IN however faint
degree, against the system Of slavery. DIR.
Case had never made any expression Of views
on either side of the question; but the fact that
he was a northern man was a sufficient preteXt
for his Punishment. The gentlemen who had
given him the most cordial welcome to the
place were the most active in procuring his
summary dismissal. They stated, with true
chlvalrlc pollteneSs, that they regretted to COM
pei him to leave, but apoogzed by adding that
the state of the times demanded prompt ex-
pulsion. They concluded their interview by
urging him TO quit the place at once intim ting
that they could not he responsible for his safety
if he remained longer than twenty-four hours
A leading physician in the town, who had pro-
feSsel great friendship for Dr. Case, said to him
in parting IT you had been introduced to oul
citizens by the Governor of the State, and were
as Staunch Democrat as any in Alabama, YOU
still could not be sustained amid the excitemen,
that now pervades all classes of the community
At this time bill was before the lower house
of the Legislature entailing fine of $500 on any
school commissioner who should give certih
cate of qualification to any Northern man who
had not resided ten years within the State, and
who was, moreover, an owner of slave property
DR.. Case, perceiving that to attempt to carry
out his projected enterprise would not only be
useless but hazardous determined to take The
most prudent course which was to leave the
State within the required time. He is now ii
this city, where he is in negotiation with severa
institutions of learning from which he has had
application since his return.
If Southern men shall succeed in banishine
all Northern t, achers, the next generation Of
the chiyalry will scarcely know how to read and
write.