Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-01
...0o,e Of WILLIAM Il. Marcy.

Proctor { Bench and Bar contains
the following anecdoto Of William L.
Marcy; hsa'e''a e9'g ..'y
s. There was debating society con
nected with the Adams academy 10 Iel'
eestey, Mass, to which young. Marcy be-
loneed Though very young he was one
of the chief disputants, but the partisan
sentiments OF the principal Mr. Adams)
prevailed in the society Ia the discus
sions Jefferson and his principles were
often assailed with great bitterness. The
Young student admired the rising states
man and he repealed these attacks
s;ngle.handed and alone, The ability
which he displayed in his defense began
20 axert an influence in the institution,
At length several Of the students united
with him and Marcy found himself the
center of small but increasing party.
DR. Adams saw this and deemed 1t his
duty to interfere. Accordingly, he sum
moned the young man beioreo him for
the purpose of expostulating with HIM
mon the course he was pursuing, IN adj
vancing his dangerous political senti-
ments. To his surprise, ne found the
vounr Democrat as firm and unHinching
in his presence as he was in the debate.
II was in vain that the good doctor
reasoned, threatened and cajoled. ne
was met with arguments which puzzled
him to answer, and which were firmly
Init modestly maintained AT length
Mr. Adams saw that matters must be
brought to decided point.
sam to understand, then, said he,
that You are determined to openly ad
yoeate the cause and principles OF that
infidel, jefferson, here in this instltu-
ton t n. 81
"If9 hear him or his principles openly
attacked | shall certainly defend him.
If however, you will forbid all allusion
10 politics here, / will most cheersully
subscribe to the rules" said Marcy.
ut is my duty, SIR, to expose error
and Mickedness in all ways, and in every
manner, and TO teach my pupils to do
the same; and, therefore, cannot estab-
lish such rule, said the doctor.
"Then, sir, il you allow one class OF
students to discuss politics yon should
give others the same privilege said the
young man.
mo sir, not when one side proposes
TO advocate in6delity and all manner OF
evil. said the DOCTOR
"Who is to be the judge as to what
political principles are erroneous
asked Marcy.
II am sir, and to be plain, you must
abandon all public utterance OF your
sentiments here.
"And if | do not obey this order,
what is to be the consequence
"You will be expelled from the instr
tuition, sir, said the doctor, with some
warmth.
"This is bigotry and injustice, Dr..
Adams, and / shall leave your instltu-
ton. Ny father viii sustain me in refus-
inc TO remain where free discussion is
not tolerated-where narrow bigoted
sentiments can be advanced in the hear
ING of those who differ from them, and
where the privilege of replying is forbid
den; and as for Mr.. jefferson, his mem
ory viii be generated long after his ira
dncers are forgotten, said the student,
the deep glow on his cheek and the tre
in his eyes eTincing the depth Of the
feelings which prompted this answer:
The next day he returned home and
faithfully related TO his father all that
occurred between himself and DR..
Adams. +,
''You did right just right, my boy,
said the father. " Never furl your ban
ner TO the enemies Of Thomas Jefferson,
and never turn your back on the Demo
cratic ship, which, under his command,
is bound on long and prosperous voy-
age
Marcy soon after entered another
academy, where he completed his prepar-
atory course, and then entered Brown
University, at Providence, Rhode Island,
where in July, 1908, he graduated.