Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-05
Decentralization.

TupEN SEMINAEY,

TnDES SEMINARY,
WEST LEBANON. y. H., Nov. "A, lS,9.)
Messrs. Editors characterization IS pre-
valent to an alarming extent, in our age and
country. 1t is manifest in the family, In the
public school, in the academy ana IN the
college. The last demonstration which has
come to our knowledge, is seen III the open
rebellion of the tcAOle of NIiddlcbury College.
The president of the college has made known
to the students certain regulations restrl0lng
the limits of the football game and prohlb-
iting cane-rushing, rs we understood the
facts Had he not "A right in the name OF the
faculty to make these regulations: And did
not the students understand perfectly that the
violation of the rules would subject the
offenders to the prescribed penalty! Dld not
every student, when he entered the college,
understand that these laws were IN force
there, and did he not virtually pledge NM
self TO obey them: Certainly, this was the
condition upon which he was admitted. He
could have been admitted upon no other con-
dition. If the Young man did not so under
stand it, his father or guardian did. That
sophomore. therefore, who violated the
known law subjected himself 10 just pun
Ishment. Our second proposition is that the
class to which the offender belonged had no
/ business with that discipline. 1t in no way
/ concerned them. Hence when they went
/ into rebellion, in sympathy with their class
mate. they violated their pledge to obey the
| laws of the college,. and became partakers
I of his crime; or, rather, committed greater
| crime and deserved more severe punish'
ment Hence the whole class was justly sus,
pended. Nor had the freshmen, junior and
senior classes any business to Interfere with
the discipline of the offenders. Hence then
withdrawal from the college was crime,
which deserved the prompt treatment 1t has
received. and the faculty have done simply
their duty, in suspending the whole col,
lege. as all were in rebellion. They could
not do otherwise under the circumstances
Now what is to be the result of this miser-
able affair does not appear at the time oil this
writing.
The president and faculty have but one
course to pursue, viz Sternly to abide theli
decision, to expel every man OF the rebels
who refuses to return on the conditions spe'
cited. To submit to the rebels or compro
mise with them. would be to give up all future
control over the college, and 10 subject 1t tC
humiliation that would be ruinous. II thu
college cannot sustain itself on the basis o.
authority, with its present students, II nae
better suspend until more honorable clas
of Young men shall desire to enjoy the al
vantages of its instructions and discipline.
We regret to observe the tone OF somt
editorial comments upon this unfortunate al
fair. 1t is gravely intimated in several pa
pers that the faculty may be also in fault II
this matter, and that it is rumored they vii
yield The inference to be drawn from thest
suggestions is that any fault in management
that may be charged TO the faculty woult
Justify the rebellion. This we deny mos
emphatically Nothing can or could justify
this rebellion The young mon might, witt
the consent of their parents, take up then
connection with the college go elsewhere
but NAV nerer rebel. 1t is the business o.
the faculty to make and execute the laws Of
the college, and the only dutyof the student:
in their relations, to obey them. We hope t.
see this grave difficulty amicably settled ant
that honored college safely over the peril OF
this strange rebellion. But the object can b'
accomplished only in the way above sug
gested. EDUCATOR
The above is evidently from that veteran
Educator" Hiram circuit. lie has learned
since he wrote it, that the lone course
which seemed to him so clear, for the presi
dent and faculty, was no, followed by
them. They did not compromise, but they
! Suhu,itteI