Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-26
characterization.


TILDEN SEMINARY,
West LEBANON, N. H., Nov. "a, 1879
Messrs. Editors characterization Is prevalent
10 an alarming extent, In our age and country.
II Ia manifest In the family, In the public school,
in the academy and In the college. The last dem
onstration which has come 10 our knowledge, is
seen in the open rebellion Of the whole OF Middle
bury College. The public have been made ac-
quanted with the facts In the case through the
press We propose q brief review with an ex-
preston Of decided opinion "a to the principle
involved and the course TO be pursued The pres-
dent Of the college had made known to the stu
dents certain regulations restricting the limits Of
the football game, and prohibiting cane-rushing,
as we understand the facts. Had he not right
in the name Of the faculty to make these regula-
tions2 Aud did not the students understand per-
ject the offenders to the prescribed penalty9 Did
not every student, when he entered the college,
understand that these laws were In force there,
and did he not virtually pledge himself to obey
themP Certainly this was the condition upon
which he was admitted. He could have been ad-
United upon no other condition. II the young
man did not 80 understand II, his father or guar
dian did. That sophomore, therefore, who VIC
lated the known law subjected himself to Just
punishment. Our second proposition Is that the
class to which the offender belonged had no bust
moss with that discipline. It in no way concerned
them Hence when they went into rebellion, in
sympathy with their classmate, they violated
their pledge to obey the laws OF the college, and
beco ne partakers Of his crime; or, rather, COM
mitted greater crime and deserved more Sc
we're punishment. Hence the whole class was
justly suspended. Nor had the freshmen, junior
aud senior classes any business to interfere with
the discipline OF the offenders Hence their with
drawal from the college was a crime, which de-
served the prompt treatment 1t has received, and
the faculty have done simply their duty, in sus-
pending the whole college, as all were in re-
bellion. They could not do otherwise, under the
circumstances.
Now what is to be the result OF this miserable
affair does not appear at the time OF this writing
This will depend entirely upon the course taken
by the parents and guardians Of the young men
who have set themselves up 90 "lord it" over
the properly constituted authorities OF Mddebury
| College. II they sustain the faculty las it 1;
their duty to do) and demand Of the young mer
to return to their allegiance, make their apology
and behave themselves in future, the whole mat
ter will soon be settled, and good done in com
mon cause. II they, or any part Of them, TAXI
sides with the rebels, serious consequences will re
suit to the young men and, perhaps, to the college
The president and faculty have but one cours
to pursue viz; Sternly to abide their decision, Il
expel every man Of them who refuses to return
on the conditions specified. To submit to tn
rebels or compromise with them, would be to Civ
up all future control over the college, and to sub