The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-24
The Wilmington School.
Editor Press and Banner

uHu III tuc COluNnuS Va your pupeI VI
July 9TH, All article, written it would
, seem from its tone and temper, for the
purpose of disparaging DR.. Waddell and
his celebrated school at Wilmington, one
Of the most famous and successful
teachers ever known in this country, if
we are to judge by the number Of dis
tinguished men, who received tn cir
Academic training under him, as we'll as
by the number. Of less extensively known
more humble, but nevertheless useful
citizens, who were once his pupils.
Many of Che latter, although unknown
to fame,' exerted a powerful influence
in moulding the character Of large and
intelligent portion of the District. 70
the former was South Carolina greatly
indebted for. the high position waich
she once occupied among the State of
the Union.
1t is far from my intention to utter q
word in detraction of the teachers
mentioned in your article. Some have
done and are still doing useful work and
!. many Of their pupils have been an honor
to the State, but when you make unf air
and unjusc comparisons between any o:
these teachers, and their pupils, and DR..
Wnddell and his pupils, must enter a
protest particularly when such COM
parisons are made to the disadvantage of
the latter.
To wha: legend is it that you refer as
having been $50. often repeated by
Judges, literary speakers and orators
that the people know in by heart not
withstanding the fact that all such
statements or differences, are subject to
q thousand disprovals by tangible facts
AMI by volumes ofindisputable evidence
yet strange as it may appear no man has
ever corrected these statements"
Strange indeed passing strange, that it
was reservation the editor Of the Press
aud Banner to correct the ''error Of
these statements which have been
repeated for nearly three-fourths of q
century "by Judges, literary speakers
and orators," during the lifetime Of those
most deeply interested in their correc-
ton and at time when tho "tansible
facts "hy which to dlsprove them were
more accessible than they are TO the
editor Of tho Press oAd Banner. Yen
charge Col. Harry Hammond with a
slack Of correctness in historical facts"
which, yon say, ut is presumed he
intended to perpctuate in his excellent
history Of South Carolina in mentioning
the Wellington Academy as conducted
by DR.. Waddell, without naming any
other, "and refers to Col. Hammonds
statement that "the wild woods of the
Savannah resounded with the echoes Of
Homer and Virgil, and Cicero and
Horace as the winged words issued from
the lips Of this venerable preceptor or
his aren't DISCIPLES" Wherein has Col,
Hammond been guilty Of ''incorrectness
2 in historical facts" let me ask ? Has he
& misstated them ? Or does his great sin
consist in his eulogizing the renowned
teacher and his s'ardcnt disciples''? Has
such praise repeated Us it has been for
more than half century by "Jndges,
literary speakers, and orators" because
unpleasant ? Dues it suggest silent
comparisons
There were those in A thens who
became tired Of hearing Aristides
called " The JUST and he was ban
ished.
You say that '.the story Of Dr.. Wad-
deil's school is always incomplete
without reference to Geo. McDutIie
whose name is mentioned in religious
respect, not only for his greatness but
for tho honor OF his teacher, and after
his name half dozen other lesserlights
are usually tackled on as a tail to the
kite,'' and you assert that you .'can
name as many and rs great men who
were taught by James l., Lesley as
were over taught by DR.. Waadell.
You charge Col. Hammond with
''pcrverting historical facts" because he
olnits to mention any other schoo:
excepting DR.. Waddells, but have you
not been guilty Of a greater pcrverison
of historical facts, not only in making
the charge against Col. Hammond
which is not true MS he does mention
several other schools in the county
besides DR.. Waddell's but in trying to