Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-03
TRUSTEES STATEMENT
EDITOR JOSEPHUS DANIELS
HANGED IN EFFIGY.
Coercion Of Thought and Private Judg-
ment Contrary to Constitution
of Trinity College.

A dispatch from Raleigh, N. c.. last night
says:
The trustees of Trinity College. having
voted IS to to refuse the resignation Of
Prof Bassett, gave to the public today a
statement of their position in the matter,
which, in substance, is follows:
I'VE have had before us the offer of DR..
John S. Bassett to resign his professorship
of history, and it is made clear to us that
it was not presented out of voluntary de-
cision to sever his connection with the col
lege, but that it was rendered under CO.
ercive influences from the outside, and be-
cause of feeling that his further connec-
ton with the college might bring injury
to it.
Solely on His Own Authority.
'Candor impels US to admit our regret
that Prof. Bassett has expressed certain
opinions which gave offense to many, and
we are glad to find that these opinions
We're expressed solely on his own authority
through medium which is in no sense an
organ of the college, and not at all in his
capacity a college official, so that neither
this board nor the college can be held re-
sponsible for them.
"On the contrary, it clearly appears that
the faculty and the students disagree with
certain of Prof Bassett's opinions-so far
as we observation-disclosures. Neither
do we agree with him.
Decline to Accept.
Nevertheless both faculty and students
with equal unanmity, have manifested
their desire that this board decline to &C
cept Prof. Bassett's offer of his resignation,
and for the following reasons, which seem
to us high and vital, we do decline to ac-
cept it:
First. Any form of coercion of thought
and private judgment is contrary to one of
the constitutional aims of Trinity College
which is to cherish a sincere spirit of toll
erance.'
Second. We are particularly unwilling to
lend ourselves to any tendency to destroy
or limit academic liberty.
Should Be Unhampered.
Third. We believe that society in the
end will find a surer benefit by exercising
patience than it can secure by yielding to
its resentments. The search for truth
should be unhampered and in an atmos-
phere that is free. Liberty may sometime
lead to folly. yet it is better that some
should be tolerated than that all should
think and speak under the deadening in
fluence of repression.
Fourth. The matter that has engaged
our attention is of more than local interest
and will be far reaching in its results.
In Harmony With It's Doctrines.
Fifth. Trinity College is affiliating with
a great church. whose spirit and doctrines
are tolerant and generous, and due re-
gard for the teachings and traditions of
this Christian society requires US to exer-
else our judgment in harmony with its
spirit and doctrines.
Viewing the matter in the light of these
wider interests, and finding that there is
no complaint against Professor Bassett's
moral character, his scholarly fitness, his
energy, his competency teacher, or his
command of the confidence of his classes,
we are sure that duty requires us to de-
cline the offer of his resignation
I'VE state a fact that Professor Bas-
sett does not believe in nor does he teach
social equality, and we have confidence in
him both as a man and teacher.
"(Signed) 7. f. MARI,
-. H. SOUTHGATE
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