The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-02-13
- For the Standard.

MeSSrS. -EU3tOTS.-1 nave TcslO Will TeSItC
the letters of President Swain to EX-Gov.
Perry. With regret, because Ihave for years
entertained for the author high regard, and
have cherished for the institution over which
he presides, the warmest attachment. With
regret that the President of literary insti,
tuition, supported by State whose popula-
ton is composed of men of different shades
of political opinion, should so far forget his
place as to enter the field of politics at
time like this. Some of the Alumni it may
be some of the Trustees many of those who
have stood by the University in sunshine
and storm, differ radically with President
Swain. Many of the bone and sinew of the
land, whose hard earnings have been and
may be taxed to support it, differ with him.
Should the President of such an institution
avail himself of the influence gained by his
position to advance or impede the interest Of
a political party2 Politics ought to be es-
chewed in all literary institutions. Their
walks and groves should be consecrated to
other purposes. The minds of their young
men should be kept far aloof from the excl
ting political questions of the day, rather
than directed thereto by the example and
public effusions of their officers.
For years it has been understood that the
subject of politics was to be excluded from
our University. The attention of its Faculty
was supposed to be directed in a different
channel. Even upon public occasions when
the young men appeared upon the stage, po-
litical topics were not allowed. In the address
es before the two literary societies by distin-
guished men, the orator was expected to avoid
all political discussion; and it has been un-
derstOod to be a rule in the debates in the
two literary societies, that the subject of pol
itics was not in order This was proper, for
the reason that all political parties were
there represented, and all political parties
were charged with its support.
For the same reason its Faculty were ex-
pected to avoid discussion of topics in re-
ligion upon which there existed difference
of opinion among the different Christian
sects. It was understood to be the wish of
the authorities of the institution that the
different religious denominations, should be
as nearly as possible balanced in its Faculty,
for it was patronized by different sects, and
any taxation for its support either directly
or indirectly, was distributed among them.
1t is, therefore, with deep regret, that the
friends of the institution. must look upon
this departure of its President from these
landmarks of policy and propriety.
When, some years ago, one or the Profess
ors dared to depart from this usage, and
publish his political sentiments, he was
promptly dismissed 1t seemed then to be u
recognized principle that the institution
should not be prostituted to party purposes
The public sustained the action and the pre-
cetlent may have been good one. The in
huence which Professors position gives
him over the young ought not to be used for
the advancement of party aims.
That institution still claims among its
friends and supporters men whose political
opinions are the opposite of those published
by President Swain And now that its Pres
ident has set the example, why not the Pro-
fessors follow, and each publish over his
own name his political opinions and argue
them at length And when President and
Professors have gotten fully in, why not the
students join in the grand demonstration,
introducing politics into all their debates,
declaiming political orations on public occa
sions, and seasoning their commencement ex-
ercises with party politics2 Then, what
man whose party may chance to be in disfa-
yor at the University will subject his son to
such influences He may be taxed to sup
port it, while his son is excluded by the ac-
tion of its officers
Will President Swain attempt to refer to
the minority of the opposite party2 If
there had been but ten thousand democrats
| in North Carolina in 1874, would he have
published an attack upon the party headed
| by james K. Polk2 However weak that
party, and however strong his affection for
| the whig principles, would he have used the
influence acquired by his position, to strike
the blow? Will he claim that his letters are
not political9 The party lines are as dis
tinctly drawn to-day upon the subjects he
essays to discuss, as they were upon the is
sues of 1874 And the party he assails now,
are more clearly in the majority at the pres
ent time, than was then the party he dared
| not defy.
And now that politics may not be exclu-
ded from our University, patronized by all
political parties what guaranty that her
worthy President will not next take spas
medical religious fit, publish his peculiar
sectarian views and express his disrelish for
| Episcopalianisn The contest upon reli
| gious subjects is not so heated as upon politi-
cal questions at present. He might, perhaps,
more safely enter that field. But if he has been
betrayed by the excitement of these times,
who can tell what course he may pursue, or
his successor upon the precedent he sets at
some future day2 H
am opposed to the Howard amendment,
opposed to all test-oaths and er post facts
laws, opposed to universal suffrage, and op.
posed to the introduction of party politics
into State University. :.
Is the Senior Editor of the Standard a
Trustee of our University9 1 think have
seen his name among the number. To him
say, an apology, Sir, for the President Of
| that institution L.