The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-04-05
AINNEWSPAPERs AND THE
PRESIDENT OF ADGER COL
TEGE

MEssRs. EDITORS The history of the
controversy between the President of Adger
College and two of its Professors shows that
some of our up-country newspapers treated
the gentleman first alluded to very unfairly.
l. The first introduction of the unpleasant
matter was clandestine article in the
Keowee Courier written by q friend
of the two Professors with their knowl-
edge and appreciation which, while laud-
ing the Professors, contained serious allega-
tions against the conduct of the President
and damaging to the welfore Of the
College committed to his care. The
article above spoken of is called clanGestine,
because it appeared without the knowledge
of the editors, and while they were absent.
g. Not knowing the authorship of this
strange production the President of Adgcr
College wrote 10 the Chairman Of the Execu-
tive Committee, calling upon Nm for refuta-
ton of the apparent editorial so far as il was
obnoxious. He at once published the letter
of the President and appended letter of his
own. The only thing in the former that had
any semi blance of 6 reference to the two eX-
Professors, was the expression of the writer's
opinion that the troubles resulting existed
long before the election of himself last June.
There was moi a word to intimate what the
troubles referred 10 were, and nothing what
ever to Intimate that the incidental remark
was intended to hurt the ex-Professors in
any way. The evident aim was simply to
show that the present troubles had not grown
from any personal difficulties to which the
President was party.
8. Taking occasion of this allusion 10 the
past history OF the College, the two Profes-
sors published each letter containing
strong accusations against the President
such certainly es he was bound to defend
himself from, if he had any defense to make.
4. The President taereupon believing he
had defense 10 make, wrote to show that
the gross charges Of one professor, and the
statements ofthe other were groundleSs Now
we do not see that in acting thus the Presi-
deEt of Adger College has done any more
than exercise right pertaining to any citi-
zen who has been publicly assailed. We do
not presume to settle any question of veracity
between his assailants and himself The
truth Of either side, it is not our province to
decide, but we must say as TO the question
of the statement which has appeared in the
Keowee Courier from his pen, that if be
believed it to be true, as no doubt he did, no
one had right TO make it the subject of cen
sure. This certain newspapers have done.
and not only so, but one paper published
terms Injurious to his defense TO publish his
reply a. oil; while another describes the
language of this welt-written statement as
sacrilegious. We suppose the learned editor
meant profane. But be that as it may, we
have searched all that has come from the
geltleman's pen in connexion with the whole !
controversy and failed to find anything either
saerilegious or profape. He tells some very
bad things, but he does it in as unexception- |
able language as possible. We do not pro-
pose 10 enter into any controversy rs |
to the merits Of the question at issue between |
The controYersislists, bat so far SIS the ques-
ion Of newspaper fair play is concerned, we
cannot forbear to say that some up-eountry |
owe it to Adger College to make I
.eparation for the foul-play which they have
oractised towards its representative. His
'elf-defense is In no-wise lacking in reverence
o the supreme Being, nor does it prove him
init to be President, but the contrary, if it
s true. This ques ton, we repeat, it is not
'ur province 10 decide upon. Bnt it is not
air that one who has only appeared on the
defensive should be charged with the blame
f all the ugly disclosures which doubtless
), te:, compelled TO make ia order to save
rom odium himself and Adger College, too.
S. l.