New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-12
From Ohio.
wtlberf0rce Acqnits Herself.

ent, "Depugh,o though he extcnuates the
Charges made against this institution, un-
happily does us great injustice in what he
has to say about the matter touching the
general management of the University.
And although we cannot believe that the
writer himself is actuated with any spirit of
malignity toward school, which has upon
its own instrinsic merits commended itself to
the public, yet we feel that we have been
unwittingly stabbed. with no good reasons.
We can by no means appreciate this display
of ungrOunded facts. 1t happens that we
arc here in the midst of transpiring events,
and therefore we know that the institution
has been maliciously misreprcsentcd by those
from whom your correspondent has obtained
his information.
We have among us pupils whose habits of
life are so diversified, that to say that their
general conduct was uniformly correct and
beautiful in all respects, would be an afiirma-
ton which could not be consistently ac-
credited. But we may say, without snc-
cessful contradiction, that the religious and
moral sentiment is of such high excellence
and tone that it awakens in the bosom of all
who come among us and learn of us the
spirit of congratulation. Parents who have
gone the rounds of the country, examining
our institutions of learning, to determine as
to the fitness Of place, have made Wilber-
force their choice for the education of their
children.
The strict discipline with which our pupils
are brought up under the watchful training
and untring care of our beloved president,
and the faculty, is so radical and constant
that the pupil is either made better or fees
to his wonted home. The majority of our
young ladies are religious, strictly modest,
Sc date and prudent, and their own manners
will be an ample vindication of the institu-
ton wherever they may go.
Wilberforce to-day is one of the model
schools Of the land, and though it is the pur-
pose of the faculty to be lenient and rater-
nal, it does not under any circumstances toll
crate incorrigble cases, but requests the
parents to take them home, dismiss or cx
pei ut their own discretion.
Now for few facts upon the matter in
hand. A former pupil, having left the Uni
versity, was reported as having become in
vOlvcd in trouble. This instance was well
known in this community but Our school
laws had no control over the affair, therefore
was by no means responsible directly or in
directly. One young man drank hard cider,
betrayed degree of ungovernable temper.
WilberfOrce assuming the responsibility, in
vestigatcd the case and returned the young
gentleman to the tender care of his more in
dulgent parents. Another, the son of
widowed mother, was known to love sweet
wine, sought it and introduced it into the
school, was tried and ordered to 60 home
and stay.
AS in all schools, so we have here some
careless, light-mindcd girls, who think more
oil. dress than books, and when all efforts to
have them attentive to their studies have
failed, they, too, are sent home. Compared
with many of our best schools, we are proud
proud of the promise which it offers for a
grand and noble future to the children of
coming generations.
Nothing of a reprehcnsible character has
ever occurred in orr school at any time, but
that it is attended with prompt and deserv-
ing punishment. Hence the. complaint not
commonly made has been in opposition to our
rigid discipline. The methods of our rcgula-
tons may be the chief source that originated
these recent reports. Under one of our new
regulations, the pupils have been required
to spend certain hours in the chapel study,
on condition that all who were faithful
would be excused from so doing-this to be
determined by the principal. Two or three
of the pupils, we'll known for their
vacilating tendencies, recognizing no manli-
ness in the law of intelligent obedience, on
several occasions left the school, and in this
last instance concluded to leave no more to
return. Our friend "Depugh" seems OK
ceedingly anxious that some lady should
recognize that immense wisdom which he
would exercise in the matter of school gov
eminent, and therefore, reflects unkindly
upon the "common sense" of the faculty
Does the writer mean to imply that the little
difficulties here so incident to all colleges anG
universities, shall now forfeit our claims te
the public confidence?
Prejudice and prescription and a perverset
public sentiment have for nearly two cen
turtles joined in the universal cry that thu
colored man, though educated and qualified
would be incapable of exercising the higl
functions of self-government.
We feel assured that the writer has no
fairly considered the question. Taking tn,
majority of American colleges we scarcel,
find an instance where, in the history O
their course, rebellion has not occurre,
sooner or later.
Harvard University, the oldest in tn
land, was at one time so infested with re
bellious students that President Hill deeme,
it advisable to recommend to the overse or
the necessity of calling in the aid of tn
police. Yale, Dartmouth, and Ann Arbol
which to-day encircle our country with
halo of imperishable glory, have passe
through the same ordeal. Will the gentle
man shut his eyes against these facts an
rush upon us with drawn sabre, to strike u
down for groundless rumors ? Or will b
, not have the magnanimity to accord us til
fitness of that charity which he, as teacher
would ask for himself.
: Never was saying more true than tina
which fell from the lips of that remarkabl
man, Frederick Douglass-nature's trues
|. scholar-when in addressing the friends an
patrons of this University on one occasion