The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-09-29
A FRANK DECLARATION.
why Gov. AIcOrm Appointed q
Radical Board of Trustees 10
Nauage the Iniversify.

play them in a fashion not agreeable to
the sensitive nerves of the men who were
foisted into Office on the bayonets of
petty military despot in violation of the
right Of the people to a free election
In order not to misrepresent the Chroni-
Gle we will copy its charges in full as fol-
lows:
There have been grave accusations,
(whether true or untrue we do not under
take TO decide,) as to the management of
this Institution heretofore, is a matter of
general notoriety. Ithas been charged that
the students were accustomed to manifest
their approval or disapproval of sentiments
enunciated ia public speeches, by displays
Of most unbecoming character; that they
exhibited AN intolerance and virulence of a
malignant description; that they sought to
crash out all dissent from their own views,
By petty prescription of every one, who
presumed to differ from them in his political
opinions; that they treated public speakers,
who dared to announce opinions which
they did not approve, with contHmely aud
gross insult; and that, in fine, they exhibit
ed spirit most intolerant and proscriptive,
against all who did not think as they
thought, and who did not say as they did
1t is further aUerred that distinguished
public speaker was publicly Missed by this
youthful band, because he ventured to ex-
press in respectful language, sentiments
which these Gevotees of learning did not
sanction. Moreover. it is said. on one occa-
sion, a violent political diatribe, adorned
with the choisest effusion of partisan ma
Lightly and scurrility, is said to have been
publicity recited by pupil, before pro-
miscuous audience, among whom were the
faculty and students of this University
Other charges have been made equally
grave which it is not necessary here to
specify.
The meaning ofthis arraignment of the
past management of the University is
that the students having the right Of free
expression which even Rrdical despotism
has not been able to destroy, have utter
ed their political opinions unreservedly
as has been the invariable custom of free
born Americans. 1t is alleged that these
young Mississippians, or some of them,
were provoked on zone occasion" (mind
you, on ''one occasion" only') to exhibit
their preference at public meeting to
which all persons were invited, by re-
spending with ''hiss" to sentiments
against which their honest and patriotic
Southern natures revolted.
! And that on one other occasion, stu
dent delivered public address which
breathed the prevailing adherence with
which the despotism practiced by the Rad
zeal rulers against the South, is held by
her every son in whose bosom spark Of
honor remains, or who has not been sub
sidised by reward.
The first count in this indictment may
be dismissed in a word. If the condi.
tom which the present Radical Board
has prescribed for the admission Of stu
dents is that they are not to entertain theil
own political sentiments, the high-spirit
ed youths of this State will take care tt
ovoid If. No such slavish condition wa:
ever before imposed in any institution,
North or South, and it is a petty despot-
ism which not only disgraces its authors
but viii bring contempt upon all who
would submit 10 it.
The charge of the Chronicle verifes oul
assertion that the object of the Governor
in changing the management of the In
/ stitutiOn was to convert it into nursery
of Radioalism.
The second count is without specified,
ton, but is vague charge that the stu
dents have not concealed their opposition
to the general policy Of the infamous po-
htical organization which is now ruling
the country and scourging the South
with curse whose evils exceed the trip
pie furies of war, pestilence snd famine.
As to the charge that ON Z" one occa'
sion some of the impulsive young gen.
tlemen of the Univerity did actually
& hiss" missionary of Radicalism when
delivering his harangue in their presence
we would enquire who was the orator
whose revenge has been gratified by the
infiction of Radical administration on
the University? Was Alcorn himself
guilty of this litteness? Did he obtain
indemnity for the wrong in the expul-
sion of Young and 1erger, and James
Brown and Walthall, and other good and
true and honored Mississippians from the
Board. that Warner and Tarbel and
C. w. Clarke might taketheirplaces?
But the crying sin was the delivery OF
political sentiments in Prize Declama-
ton at the Commencement in June, 1869.
All, was not that dreadful sin expiated
by the late Board in the fulness of their
desire to propitiate the powers that be7-
Were the Trustees responsible? Did not
the Chancellor make haste to disavow the
responsibility ofthe Faculty for the of
tense? Did he not lay before them re-
solution which had been adopted forbid
ding students to introduce eote1npordneous
political matter in any speech for public
exhibition in the University. And did
not COLONEL JOHN DUNCAN, (of the
Duncan Rifes) introduce and cause to
be passed resolution of inquiry by the
Board touching the said speech7 And
did not the investigating committee, OF
which COLONEL JOHN DUNCAN (of the
Duncan Rifes) was Chairman, submit
report Disappearing the said speech and
showing that it was in violation of rule
of the Faculty.. and pureing all concern