Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-11
Dartmouth College.

The Trustees Of Dartmouth College have pub
lshed a statement relative to the resignation OF
President Lord. From this document it ap-
pears that at meeting Of the Trustees, on the
23d OF July, certain proceedings of the Merrinac
County Conference OF Congregational Churches
in June were brought before the board for their
consideration. They consisted OF series OF reso-
utons and report thereon by committee. The
resolutions declare that it is the duty OF the Irus-
tees Of Dartmouth College, in view Of the preJu-
dice existing against its President on account OF
his ayowed peculiar sentiments on the war, to in
auire II the interests Of the college do not demand
a change in its presidency These resolutions
were referred to committee Of the conference
who reported that 1t was not expedient to present
the resolutions to the trustees, but recommended
that they be printed for circulation. The resolu-
tons therefore appear to have been brought to
the notice Of the Trustees indirectly. They
adopted series Of resolutions declaring that Dart
mouth College sympathzes heartily with the
Government, 10 its efforts to put down the rebellion,
and reioces TO do honor to the many sons Of Dart
mouth who have engaged in the war. Also hail
ing with Joy the prospective destruction Of slavery,
and appealing to the churches Of New England
to stand by the college. Upon the adoption Of
lntht ItbUlutlUUs isoth iesibhcu hio PeeseHt
both as President and one Of the Trustees OF the
College.
The following is President Lords letter Of res
gnation
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, July "a, 1868.
To The Trustees Of Dartmouth College:
In making this communication to the Hon. and
Rev. Board OF Trustees, ltake the liberty respects
fully to protest against their right to impose any
religious, ethical or political test upon any nsm-
Der Of their own body, or Of the College Faculty,
beyond what is recognized by the Charter Of the
institution or express statutes or stipulations con-
formed 10 that instrument, ho~ever urged or
suggested by individuals or public bodies sssu-
ming to be as visitors Of the College or advisers
of the Trustees.
The action OF the Trustees on certain rssolu-
tons Of the Msrrimsck County Conference OF
Churches virtually imposes such test inasmuch
as il impledly represents and censures me as
having beco me njuriou. to the College, not on
account Of any official malie.sance or delinquency,
for, on the contrary, its commendations Of nv
personal and official character and conduct, du-
ring my long term OF services far exceed my mer-
its bat for my opinions and publications on
questions Of Biblical ethics and Interpretation
: supposed to bear unfavorably upon one branch Ct
the policy pursued by the present administration
Of the government OF the country.
For my opinions and expressions OF opinion on
such subjects, hold myself responsible only to
God and the Constitutional tribunals Of my coun-
tryinasmuch as they are not touched by the Char
ter Of tho College, or any express statute OF stip-
ulations. And while my answering and never
partisan loyalty to the government OF my fathers,
proved and tested by more then seventy years Of
devotion to its true and fundamental principles,
cannot be permanently dscredited by the excited
passion Of the hour, do no! feel at liberty, when
It's exercise is called in question, to resign my
moral and constitutional right and Christian lib
erty, in this respect, nor submit to any censure,
nor consent to any conditions such as are implied
liz the aforesaid action OF the Board, which action
is made more impressive upon me in view Of the
Ipriyate communications Of several Of its members.
But, not choosing to place myself in any unkind
relations to body having the responsible guard
ianship of the College, body from which
have received so many tokens Of confidence aud
,, regard, and believing il to be inconsistent with
Christian charity and propriety to carry on my
administration while holding and expressing opu-
ions injurious and offensive to that party n the
country which they here professedly represent, l
hereby resign my office as President. also re'
: sign my office as Trustee.
10 taking leave Of the College, with which I
: have been connected as Trustee, or President,
more than forty years, very happily to myself and.
as the Trustees have often given me TO under
stand not without benei, 10 the College, beg
to assure them that shall ever entertain grate-
fol sense Of the favorable consideration shown to
me by themselves and their predecessors in office,
for so long term and that shall never cease to
desire the peace and prosperity of the College, and
that il may DO kept true TO the principles Of its
foundation. Tam very respectfully
Your obsdient servant,
N. LORD.