, 1874-03-06

THE REV. FRANCIS L. PATTON,
And the Presbyterian Theological
Seminary OF the Northwest.
LETTER FROM NH. HENRY q. MILLER.
20 tho Editor ef Ths Chicago Tribune:
Sln: An article appeared in this mornings
issue OF The TRIBUNE, representing that the
election Of tho ney. Trapois j.. Patton to tho
Chalr OF Didactio ind polomio Theology in the
Presbyterian Theological Seminary of tho
Northwest WIS brought about by tho dictation Of
Afr. Cyrus II. Mccormick, rather than tho delib-
crate action Of the Directors Of tho Seminary
The evident objoot Of tho writer OF tho article is
to crcate d prejudice against Mr.. Patton, In viaw
Of an anticipated ecclesiastical trial in which it
is expected he will net as prosecutor.
As am nomber Of tho Board Of Directors
referrod to, ind am, therefore, personally ac-
quaintod with the facts touching this matter,
Justice to Dr.. Patton, llr. Mccormick, and tho
Seminary, requires that should publicly Btato
thom.
It is vol known that, after the election OF Dr.
proutisa to this Chair by the General Assembly,
in 1871, in order to mako the way clear for his
acceptance, provision for his salary was sub
staNtial!y furnished by those upon whom tho
pccuniary burden Of carrying tho Seminary had
thereto foro boon doyolvcd. TLis effort received
no encouragement whatover from those who are
minds Of the public against this institution.
The cbicago Fire was regarded by many as
disastrous to the interests Of tho Seminary;
and, immediately after its occurrence. Dr.. Prem
tiAB declined tue position tendorod him. I hap
pom to know tlat this Seminary wuH among tic
objects which chiefly occupied Mr. N1cOorinicks
attention immediately aftcr that contlngration.
although hih peeuniary losses i'll consequences Of
it were certainly III groat, il not greater, than
those Of any other citizen Of Chicago.
!. He Immediately mado known Ills desire to
literally cnaow its yacant Chair, and have tho
Seminary give an Immediate aud certain irdca-
/, tion that it had survived this calamity; and it
nished of. this fact than ali earIy election Of
suitable person to thia CHAR. Accordingly,
special nleeting of tho Board Of Directors was
called for Tint purpose for Dec. +, ISL.
Attic time this meeting was called, am Bat-
isiied that no lnetnbor Of tho Board Ind any idea
OF WHO would bo elected to this place. After tho
Board convened, hlr. Mccormick, WHO was proa-
cnt, was asked, IN formal way, to participate in
our proceedings, though not as y member of tho
Board. Tho sano courtcBy would hayo boon ex-
tondod to any other person aud member Of the
Presbyterian Church, had ho boon proaont, nul
manifested al interest II, the object for which
tho Directors lad convened. After tho meeting
WIS organized, its object Ind boon announced,
tho position lofosrod TO- Mr. Mccormick pro-
duccd for tho inspection and consideration OF tho
board, lotters from distinguished clorgymon in
the East, recommending tha Rev. Francis L.
ti1no, stated tLat Le did not know aIr. Patton
had mover communicated with him knew noth-
Ing of him, other than what lo lad loarl,oa
from these letters; mud that ho had received
these letters within fow days previous to that
timo. Ho said, however, that he Thought tho
judgment Of tho writer's Of thoso letters would
receive tho confidence of tho Board, and he would
surely glvo to tlle Board the beuot Of whatever
information ho had upon the subject. Some
person thon nominated Dir. Patton and this WIS
Hoyorul gentlomon who wore presant, and with
whom um satisfied hlr. Mccormick liad no pro-
vlouB understanding III regard to tho lnattor then
before the Board.
porsouai acquaintance with Alr. Patton, arl
.oir yews III regard to llis HtnesB for this CHAIR.
Among other things, ono Of thom Btutcd tho
substance Of an interview which casually oc-
Cured botweou himEelf and a distinguished
Clergyman in tho East, in which Dir. Patton was
very strongly recommended for this u!aco.
III this way evidences accumulated in favor Of
this nomination to d very remarkable degrec,
Nnti! one Of tho members becamo 30 much iul-
pressad with this TACT that he waB constrained to
remind those present that tlloso evidences, fur
niehcd In tho nanuor they woro Furnished, could,
In liH opinion, DO regarded i'll no other light than
III Provilentinl Indication OF tho diraUtion in
which their duty lay.
came largely, ii not almost exclusively, from
goutlou,ell who, prior to the union, woro occloni-
astically in tho Now-Sel,ool connection.
Aftor the matter had boon proceeded with to
tho longth have indicated, Dr.. Patterson, who
occupied Tho chair, mentioned tho name Of DR..
Duryea OF Drooklyn, for tho place we woro en-
leaYorug to fill.
Komarhs favorable to tho election OF Dr..
Du,yea wcro made by several gentlemen; whom
Mr, Mccormick utatod that, It Or. Dniyea was
it, he ought certainly 10 10 elected; and asked
wlother he would bo l:koly to accept sucl, q
position If elected to IT,; nt tho asmo
tmo romarking tint liy doclinatnro. 80
10 very diHcouragug. DR.. Patterson then Hald
that he lid not Gsliayo Dr. Duryea would accept
to place unless big aaary was lxed aa higl, a.
$1,000. 1T was oithor 10000 or $1,000 aud
am unable to say whioll.)
Mr. Mccormick suggested that telegram DO
sent East to sonic ono who could furniah us with
Information Oh tAis point, such al would Justify
our action and that tho aoHaion continue until
All auswor could be received. But, aftor further
would bo most liitoly to accept tho placo, and
that ho would probably do 10 for tho salary Al
rehdy provided.
llo WAS, therefore. unanimously elected.
Although hlr. Mccormick wah present during
this meeting, ho did nut exercise any influence
,lpon itB aetlou or attempt to exercise any s,,oll
influence, otlor than in tho manner have men-
Sioned.
Dr. Patton, aftor holding bih election untlcr
adyl4emont for some time, declined It, AMI Hont
hiH letter OF tlBo]iuasion to tho Chairman Of our
Executive board, stating that, aIhouy. h.,el, II
positlon would l,o agreeable to hinl, and H.
t,ougA lls olooInn to it waH unanimous, Ie wau
lod u boIiose thtt thore wero aou1e who lid nut
tleAlro II.
before p.,y action was takon upon tl4Is lottor,