The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-09
From the Transcript.
The beloved Teacher.
WAS UNCLE SAMUEL +. RIGHT
BY JULIUS A. PALMER, JR.

with their DOneS. NO one ol us WOulu
have it otherwise. As we struggle from
day to day, sometimes failing in the very
point where we had forewarned ourselves,
perhaps bringing grief thereby to those
hearts we love dearest, it is great con-
ISOLATION to know that when the green
grass waves over our restless brains, and
our throbbing hearts are silent, that then
our shortcomings will be all forgotten,
and only that which was the indication
of better nature will remain in the
memory of our fellow mortals,
Yet, where life has become public
and is held up to public exam
pie, it is meet that, for blame as well as
well as praise, criticism should be freely
offered. 1t augurs no ill-will toward the
departed, that we dissent from one grand
principle of his public life.
There recently died at tho town of
Andovcr, Mass, q schoolmaster, who was
a genial gentleman in private life, a con-
sistent Christian in the church, unim.
peachable as husband father and friend,
of unquestionable scholarship but whose
official career was totally averse to the
spirit of the nineteenth century, and whose
system of government was unworthy the
imitation of Brazilian slave-driver.
Probably no one man in the United
States had more widely spread sphere
of influence. Before the outbreak of
the great rebellion, there was not State
in the Union whose future citizens were
unrepresented at Phillips Academy
Nay, the British provinces and the Isles
of the Sea sent their quota to fiji out the
numbers of that institution, of which
"Uncle Sam" was principal. Whoever
first applied that nickname deponent saith
not. Shortened frequently into Uncle y
it has been in use on Audover Hill for
years, and it will be beyond the present
century when its sound shall have been
forgotten.
At the time that he was fually called
from school to rest, January, 1871, the
press, religious and secular, literally
teemcd in obituary notices. Ono lies
before us now, with the imprint Of the
Overland Monthly. and the current num-
Der Of one Of our most sterling periodl-
Gals notices his life at length, in an arti-
Gle written by one Of the profeundest
thinkers of the present day.
Now under such circumstances were it
not well to ask the simple question
Was he right? Was his system of gov
ernment worthy of commentator and
imitation
Let me state two or three facts in such
system, which his most ardent aduirer
will not deny.
Imprimis He always employed Sc
cret spies /; maintained regular system
of paid espionage.
(Should any Ole presume to doubt this
assertion, deponent doth solemnly and
truly affirm, that whereas he once board
ed in the family of the treasurer of said
institution, then and there said treasurer
assured him Of such fact, and informed
him exactly the amount of wages paid to
said spies.)
In the second place, mine uncle was
never known to appeal to one noble as.
pirotion, or encourage one atom OF self.
respect in any one of the three or foul
hundred boys yearly committed to his
charge.
Again. in charging boy with {
misdemcanor, he spoke utterly regardless
Of the truth, that thus the culprit nigh
extenuate his error by confessing lesse
crime. He indicted each criminal fol
; murder in the first degree, that he NIGH
be willing to accept conviction on tn,
fourth degree of manslaughter.
Such indictment was never made il
passion. No; whenever you were talk
ing with him, you really felt as thougl
it would be an undeserved mercy if yol
were not hanged, drawn and quartered
His charges were made with all the sol
emnity and appearance of calm convic
tion Of truth which can be imagined o
the most dignifed judge on the bench.
The millions of stories and anecdote
told Of this wonderful nan would fitting
ly illustrate all these points, could | bu
recall fractional part to memory Per
haps this article will excite many to re
late such to each other. ! can imagin
no merrier room than that where half {
dozed of his boys are narrating their ex
periences. We may laugh 7so,o, but W
could not laugh much then. Let me give
as an example, my first acquaintance will
his style of calling us to account for de
linquencies.
! was Il modest, retiring boy of four
teen. As | was passing through by
street one day, an older boy (rather
bully came out of house with n gul
on his arm
"Horner," said he, "when you get t
Main street, wave your hand if Uncle
not in sight"
| waved my hand 1t was contrary +
the laws of the school to have a gun, an
to be out in study hours | returned t
my room and my books. had nothin
to do with the hunter, and never had as
sociated with him. Those are the exac
facts. Now hear the arraigunent
The next morning | was called up
Uncle met me with grave face, and Ia
my case was too fragrant to be heard i
public remanded me to the entry. Aite
awaiting his coming minutes which seem
ed ages, he appeared, the image of out
ragged Justice. Without asking ques
tion he proceeded thus
"How long, Horner, have you been
spy for criminals and law brea kers
Were it not for such as you the enemie
Of society would sooner receive their de:
erts they are often shielded awhile fror
prisons by their accomplices. But yo
will yet find such career dangerous bu'
mess"
All this was delivered without tn
} slightest mark Of excitement, as his cau
! deliberate conviction. 1t left me speech
, les with astonishment.
| will not pr ong the illustration
! After three days Of confinement, ,ostracisl
aud frequent interviews with mine uncl