The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-05-13
The Rebellion TTcc---A College Remi-
niSenCe.

Josiah Quincy, writing of Harvard
sixty wears AGO, in Thoughts and ECeRtS,
relates this story: Zone day in NOvcm-
Der. 1918. found dry twig pasted upon
the leaf of my journal and underneath
this inscription. Resistance to tyrants is
obedience to God. This twig was my
badge; all the class tore them from the
Rebellion Tree and agreed to wear them
in their bosoms.' The rough and I'M
mannerly proceedings which character
lied this memorable outbreak have long
since ceased TO be possible in frst-clasS
COLLEGES. Boarding in Commons was at
the time compulsory, and the freshmen
and sophomoreS were fed in two large
halls. which were separated by folding
doors. These portals were generally
kent carefully locked and bolted; but one
Sunday evening they had unhappily been
left open. Taking advantage of this
circumstance. some sophomore threw a
plate into the quarters Of the freshmen.
1t was promptly returned; every one
started up from the tables and hot
and furious battle commenced. Cups,
saucerS and dishes were used as missiles,
and the total destruction Of the crockery
belonging to.the college was the result
Of course. il was necessary for the gov
4ernment to take notice Of such an out
race rs this, and it was soon announced
that five of my classmates were suspend
ed and must leave the town. Two Of
these victims were from New York. two
from South Carolina and one from Mas
sachusetts. The students selected hap
pened to be very popular, and it seemed
TO us unjust that they alone should be
punished for an oftensa of which so
many others were equally guilty. Ac-
cordIurlv. we followed them out OF
Cambridge with shouts and cheers, and,
ON returning. assembled about the Re
bellion Tree and awaited results. After
q little time the Presidents freshman
came upon the scene, and summoned
Adams. Otis and myself to appear at
once in his study. DR., Kirkland told Us
that he was q good friend of our fathers
and wished to get us out of mischief; he
must. accordingly, advise us to leave
town for the present, and should com
mand us at our peril not to return to the
tree. Under the excitement which ruled
the hour we promptly went back to the
rendezvous, ana -AudlllNs Nllp W IL dj'
pointed our spokesman, addressed the
assemblvin a vigorous speech. happen
to remember the climax of his remarks
Gentlemen, we have been commanded
at our peril. not TO return to the Rebel
lion Tree; at our peril we do return.
This morsel Of defiance seemed to Us &c
have rs fine ring as the famous Sinh
or swim. live or die, survive or perish,
which Daniel Webster subsequently ut
tributed Ito the grandfather Of the speaker
The applause was immense, and W,
voted to remain in session all day anC
TO absent ourselves from all college eX
erciseS. Even the rain, which soon be
can 10 descend, was powerless to dis
perse us. for we adjourned in force t.
the great porch which then stood il
front OF University Hall The end of
was that there was a new crop OF ruStl
cations and suspensions. and this bur
lesgue of patriots struggling with tyrant
gradually PLAYED itself out and came Z
an end. But the events of that ferYl'
time IMPRESSED themselves so deepl.
upon Us that. when the great rebellion
is spoken Of. my first thought is that tn
allusion must be. not TO Charles tlrS
aud the PuritanS. nor yet to the Amer
lean coloniSts and England, but to tina
magnificent protest against oppresSioI
that was made at Harvard College SlXt
wears ago.