Newspaper Page Text
*ru
From the Georgia Corstitulionalistg June 10.
Mr. Guieu,—Dear Sir:—I «ee in your pa
per of tho 23d ult. a long and laboured com
munication from the Rev. Mr. Olin, iu which
my character and motives aud conduct are
attempted to be exhibited in no very fair col-
ours I am convinced that neither the cause
of rJlicion nor science will be greatly bene-
fitted bv such a controversy as Mr. Olin seeks.
And so* far as my own personal reputation is
concerned, I have no expectation or wish of
adding to it by appearing in a newspaper. I
am, however, perfectly willing that my con
duct and motives with respect to Mr. O. and
to this institution, should be publicly scruti
nized and discussed, if such scrutiny and dis
cussion will afford pleasure to any one.
I am not conscious of having injured, or
desired to injure Mr. O.; and l am conscious
of having endeavoured to devote myself assid
uously to the best interests of this seminary ;
and that if £ have failed in the' discharge of
any duly, it has not been for want of zeal. 1
cannot promise, and l trust tho public, who
have read Mr. O.’s charges, will not expect
brevity. I will however endeavour to leave
unimportant subjects, and simply, confine my
self to the gravest charges which he has thought
proper to prefer against me. I would here
observe, that it is very convenient in a contro.
versy to convince the public that we aro act.
ing in self defence—that wo are persecuted.
Public sympathy is worth much more than the
strongest arguments. Of this truth Mr. Olin
appears to be well convinced: and heuce his
unwearied efforts to prove that he has been,
and still is, the object of a most wicked and
unrelenting persecution. In this instance
however, ho is not tho persecuted. lie was
never assailed until it was clearly proved that
he had sanctioned arid advised the adoption of
measures well calculated to destroy the Uni
versity of Georgia. And even after this un
provoked attack of his friends, which he at
first advised and still justifies, he lias not been
persecuted by mo, as I hope hereafter to prove
I trust tho public will recollect that I had
no agency in bringing about tho controversy
of which he complains, and that Ac did advise
and sanction tho first attack upon this College
Let it be distinctly understood that the first
number of “ The Friends of Equal Rights
was submitted to Mr. O. before it was com
mitted to the press, that he approved of its
sentiments, declared that it contained nothin
but the truth, and recommended its publien
.tion. Let it be also remembered, that ibis
same piece was published in the form of hand
tills, and a copy placed clanE’Estixelv upon
each desk in tho halls of the General Assem
bly, which was then in session, and had be
fore it a bill to take from the College so much
of its funds as to cri; p c* ail its energies and
effectually to destroy its usefulness. I leave
it to the public to decide whether this “ was
open and manly.” The time, the circumstan
ces, and the means which were used, cannot
leave a doubt upon the mind of any, as to the
object. Aud from his own acknowledgements
in his late publication, and bis laboured dc-
fence of that first attack, I may use his own
language, (which of course, is neither vulgur
nor insolent nor abusive,) and say “ surely no
human being competent to form a rational
opinion upon such a subject, can read that
publication,” and his late defence of it, and
remember the part ho acted in the whole mat
ter, “ without fooling an irresistible conviction
that Mr. 01}n originated the attack ; that he
was the virtual author and prime instigator of
this crusade against the University.” “ There
is not a court in the land' which would not
f jnounce him the principal, and the Rev.
f- the accessory and a tool.
ught not to be offended when I use his own. I and ho oven now comes back from Virginia, to defend
gave as a reply to the inquiry, his own rea- ffo® assertion and prove ita truth, and warn the citi-
soiis and in his owu language. Tho reasons Iens o( oar Sltatc of their danger. If it bo not indeU
which he gave me, were unsolicited, and as ! ,im at . the hta *? S am ’/*T ColU Z* in “ n0 ;
■ Ihcli supposed, and still bdicc. intended to
be made public. I pardoned for attempting to rebut any charges which
Mr. Oliu thinks, or pretends to think, for 1 i thought were calculated to affect its character and
“ I confess I Have not yet attained to a char. 1 to deetrdy its usefulness. A public call had been
ity which enables me to believe he is sincere,” ,na ?®’ ?" d . ,hat l ?° b >’ a T ! ,,8lc ®’ for information,
t i,„. tl-nrn .fat, • . ..1 and * *®It it my duty to give the information, to
MU uu \ T Cei ? ed l ,!a " . belween Mr «w that so fir us I was concerned, there was no
Mitchell and myself to destroy his character. I reason why tho paper m'ghi not and should not have
now doclarc that I never heard the first in- I been present*! to me. Mr; Olin says, “ he did me
timation of Mr. M.’s designs or of his suspi-- n " i,, j ur y” ><* not presenting the paper. If he did
cions of Mr. Olio’s hostility to the College till "°VV** l," 1 ^ ? ot Ws ? aa [V He cviJ * nt, y
' _ r - , c £ . lo0K the most effectual means in lus power to do it,
after the appearance of the Friends of Lqu \ and ifI am notgr e at i y Inistakca , the only thing con-
Kights. I din not know that Mr. Mitchell 1 corning my letter which offended him, was its ten-
entertained .any but the kindest feelings to- dcncy to prevent an injury being done both to myself
wards Mr. G , or Mr. O. any but the kindest and to foe College. The public will, I trust, now
towards him. The public is told bv Mr. O. I ?f“’ F 181 so far from boin » censuraMo in P ubl ‘shing
«« ,h,. is .ho rnln.ion haiu aon At. Uii.l, l ettcr ’ 1 shouJd haVC ^
- iha s ,.cb is the relation between Mr. Mitch. IS tZf^SSSSi 2»
ell ana my sell, It ts very difficult to believe he I the alleged reasons of Mr. Olin for not presenting
would publish an articlo bearing at so many I hi> certifients to roo, are nothing but the most ground.
points upon the interests of the College 'with I leKS SUS P‘ C '° 1>S ®f bis own breast, viz : my concert
out consulting me.” What Mr. Olh. means n . Ir ' Mi,che11 and the , Ban " t T* witb wh ° m 1
K.- onninn.. .1 , I could have had no connexion, being absent from
fur lier than to make a false I town; and the allusion to him in the pieces signed
impression upon the public mind, 1 am Utterly ] The Friends of Truth : (which ho says were attribu-
nt a loss to apprehend. Mr. Olin knows that I t®d to mc -) This last ground of suspicion requires
there ncveTtfus any peculiar relation between on,y a fcw words to show that U was
Mr. Mitchell and myself. If be were dispp, place, there is not in the first number
SCu to CkiiI uIS connexion With the Oollcge us I of those picce9, even the slightest indirect allusion to
an officer a peculiar connexion, even that had I Mr. O. as tho author of tho Friends of Equal Rights,
ceased, Mr. Mitchell having resigned his iu- Thc following isfoe only sentence in the piece which
.orehip end curmneiiccil ,|,e preciee of the 1*£
law, some time before this controversy com-I attempt of the kind, and that a young man might
menced. I feel it however my. duty to say, ] remain feur years in the College without ever
that wliilo connected with the College as ail knowing to what denomination of Christians tho of-
offieer, Mr. Mitchell’s character was irre . Geers belonged, if he had no other means of discov-
• * ■ , . A . . , I enn<* it than-in their official duties.” Now I ask,
proachuble, and that «s an instructor he stood wha ° al , U(; ; olv is hero made to Mr. Olin ? Is it in
deservedly high with both Faculty and Trus- j „1,; S knowing that there never has been an attempt T
tees. Tlpe Board were extremely unwilling 1 flow could Mr. Olin know there never had boon ?
to part w ith him as an officer. And as a man He bad been connected with the College only four
^ tzasztszsL
piety, he is too well known in tins part ot our I Nor could any individual, from personal
State to need iny defence or to dread Mr. | observation, know what had been, and what had not
Olin’s censures. But to show how utterly
groundless are Mr. Oliu’s suspicions ol niy
concert with his enemies, as he calls- them,
look at one of his specifications: „ “ Tlic edi-
been attempted. But any individual, as well ac
quainted with tho history of tho College for 10 or 15
yours as the writer of the Friends of Equal Rights
assumes to be, could not have been ignorant upon
the subject, because it was one which had been re-
toriiil article which appeared in the Banner, I poatedly discussed in the newspapers, and concern,
and the strictures of Justice published in Ath-I ing which information could be obtained from
ens, under Dr. Church’s immediate notice CVCT f stmhmt who had ever been a member of tho
and by his personal friends, afforded at leas, ‘"^’writer of the Friends of Truth could not,
Strong presumptive evidence that he " as con- j therefore, havo alluded to Mr. Olin, so far as any
cerned in thc unjust attempts to injure my pri- | possible allusion can be drawn from the expression.
vatc and professional character.” Now, I
assure the public, that I was in Columhiu, S.
Carolina, or Augusta, Georgia, when these
articles were written. I had been from home
Mr. Olin, however, docs not confine himself to tho
first number in giving his reasons for believing that I
was unfriendly to him, when he wrote for bis ccrtifi.
cate. He says the first, as well as- subsequent num
hers, and yet his certificate .is dated before the pub-
ncarly a month,, and had not hud thc least j licalion of the 2d number of the Friends of Truth,
communication with either of these gentlemen. | The certificate is dated Athens, January lltli, and
Besides I observe by reference to thc Ban- I u,c second number of the Friends of Truth was puli-
ner,. that there is not thc slightest intimation
in thc editorial that Mr. Oli.i was the writer
of the Friends of Equal Rights. The writer
is indeed called “ a religious gladiator” ; aud
must confess that thc extreme sensibility of |
Mr. Olin on this occasion, in attributing to
himself the opprobrious epithets, is calculated
to excite suspicion.
I might perhaps here leave thc subject with the as
sertion, that every charge which ho has madeugaim-t
mc is as perfectly-groundless, as tho one of being in
concert with Mr. Mitchell and the Banner. But I
“The President of Randolvii-Macon Col*
lkoe, is. thus exhibited as using a mere too/ to
blast the reputation of an institution which had
cherished and supported him, and for which he
had publicly professed to clicrLih thc toarmest
feelings of friendship.” I ask, was it strange
that the friends of literature aud science should
feel indignant at such an attempt? And was
there any impropriety in alluding to his con
nection with the institution and to the kindness
with which he had uniformly been treated by
both Faculty and Trustees? I am not, how
ever, cither justify ing or condemning the course
pursued by others; and will therefore confine
myself to his charges against me. And here
I declare that I have had no agency, either
directly or indirectly, in influencing others to
attack his character. And if “I um exhibi
ted by him as co-operating with a self-convict
cd spy, to blast the reputation of a,former col
league,” I'am thus exhibited upon the mere
suspicions of his own breast. I am neither
the “author, nor approver, nor instigator of
any crusade against his character.” I have
neither published, nor advised, nor sanction
ed the publication of any f ;cts, but such as
“ were notorious and accessible to all who
had the curiosity to inquire and the industry to
read.” I h .ve never, unsolicited, communi
cated to others, facts upon tho subjects o! con
troversy. I have, when interrogated con
ccrning any subject relating to the College,
given such information as was in my power
and of a nature not improper to be made pub
lic. “ My agency iq Mr. Milcheli’s injurious
publication, sufficiently established,** says
Mr. O., because none but myself could have
heen the “ informant," and no one w ithout my
consent would have presumed to publish, a
private conversation between colleagues in
office.” I would ask whether a public offi
cer’s resignation is usually considered a mat
ter of great secrecy, or his reasons for resign
i:ig, a private conversation between colleagues?
Ilad Mr. Olin sent me a written resignation,*
assigning lus reasons for retiring from the of
fice, would there have been any unpardonable
preach of official etiquette ? And why more
improper to give verbal than written reasons r
If they were ** childish,” it was not my fault.
Mr. Olin s resignation was not concealed by
hlttase)If or friends. I was frequently asked
by individuals, why he had not resigned at the
Commencement when thc Board w'as in ses
sioti ? I knew of no other reasons than those
which he had assigned, and certainly the ma.
who Accuses me of using “ vulgar language,”
lished in Augusta, January 14. Now, even suppos
ing I wrote the Friends of Truth, how could a piece
not 3-ct published he a ground of suspicion ? Has
Mr. Olin intuition ? But he has no more reason to
suppose me the author of tho Friends of Truth, than
he had at first to suspect another individual, than
Mr. Mitchell, -of being the author of Justice; and he
will not deny; that he wroto to h> s friend in this
town, and ascribed without a doubt. Justice to a dif
ferent perron. Tho truth is, -that in tho whole of
this matter, Mr. Olin has gone upon suspicion—'“ at
tributing designs to individuals which they never
thought of, as the. motives for uctions which they
never performed.” I-had-no object in writing the
trust thc public will bear with mo wliilo I examine i letter but to remove a prejudice which had arisen
some of tho others. * - against myself, and some of the Faculty, and to put
Thc next to which I shall refer, is the letter of tho I a stop, if possible, to a profitless warfare, with which
22d of February. Why this letter should have so I I believed every friend, of both religion and science,
much disturl«d Mr. Olin, and “ filled him with pro. I was perfectly disgusted. I had before in vain sought
found astonishment,” docs, 1 cor.fc.-s, “ fill mo with I a correspondence with Mr. Olin for this very pur-
profound astonishment.” That the public may nof pose, and had he met me, as I still think he might
find any difficulty in understanding thc subject, I will have dono, without any great condescension, though
givo thc history-of this letter, from “ it* tscumo.N to I he calls my letter “ vulgar, insolent aud abusive,” I
its MATORirv and presentation.” Early in January, believe that the controversy, might have been stopped
and immediately after the publication ol the piece in much sooner than it was, and never again revived,
the Banner, signed Justice, Mr. Olin wrote to Pro- How lie can with propriety rebuke the publishers
lessor Hull, “requesting him with several other I of private Conversations, and the betrayers of offi.
gentlemen, whom he named, to express their opinion cial and confidential relations, and yet assort that he
of lib faithfulness as an officer of College.” My own j is at perfect liberty to use my most confidential com.
name, and those of the other two officers of tho Fa- npmic'-tions, is tome, I confess, an ethical difficul
Culty who were members of the Presbyterian Citurch, ty, which 1 am utterly unable to solve. He b, how
were- not mentioned, and the certificate was never I ever, at perfect liberty, and by my consent, to use
presented to either of us. &o soon as I heard of the letter as he may think proper. I will now give
the certificate, and long before its publication, I in- | its history. When I first saw in Augusta the first
formed the gentlemen who subscribed it, that an im.
proper uso would be made of it, aud that I could not
doubt tho object. No one could read tho certificate
without enquiring why the names, of the other offi- j
cere were wanting ; no ono could fail to infer that j
tho others were unwilling to do justice to their col.
league. Two of the gentlemen who signed thc pa.
jter, saw upon reflection thc probable design so clear.
number of the Friends ot Equal Rights, I heard it
attributed to Mr. Olin. 1 repeatedly in Augusta
said, that I did not believe ho was the author, be
cause there were charges and inrinuations which he
knew to be untrue—insinuations too low to have
been made by him. I made the same remarks on
my return, to this place, and expressed iny regret to
ono of the editors of the Banner, that the piece sign
ly, that they declared even before its publication, ed Justice had been published. J was, however, at
their regret at having put their names to it, until it last reluctantly constrained to believe (what we all
had been presented to all the members of the Facul. now know from his labored defence of its sentiments.)
ty. And to show, that my views of tho object and that he was virtually tho author. I learned from good
tendency, of this paper were correct, 1 need only say, j authority, that the piece was read to him. before its
that in a few days after its. publication, one of the publication—that he advised its publication, and
Trustees of the College, an editor of ? public paper, without-hesitation, maintained the truth of its de-
published the certificate, and with it, an inquiry con- I clarations in his conversations. His conduct then
ccrning the cause - of the absence of other officers* I appeared, and still appears to me, unaccountable
names- “ Can it be possible, says lie, (I quote from I saw no sufficient motive for BUch an unholy attack
memory.) that the other gentlemen are unwilling to I upon an institution, for the establishment of which
do justice to Mr. OUn ?” If a Trusteo would ask I the friends of literature had been so long laboring
such a question, in a publiepaper, can any one doubt I To say that I wrote thc letter without feeling
that the certificate was making an improjer impres- would not be. true, and I think few individuals undci
sion ? I had never been unfriendly to Mr. Olin, I j such cireumutances would have been perfectly calm
was not at that time unwilling to do him justice. I ] I, however, had not the slightest intention of in
would at that time most cheerfully have signed an I suiting him—nor had I the least- disposition to sub.
honorable certificate as a testimony of respect frpm I mit, quietly, to unprovoked attacks upon myself or
the Faculty. What then was foe direction which was the College. Here is foe letter, and J desire its en.
here given to public prejudice ?. Was it not foe very tire publication:
direction which the writers against the College dc- J Athens, Feb. 4.1634.
sired ? Allusion had been ntado to thc “ exclusive ] Tev. Stephen Oun.—Dear Sir, I s had supposed for
and grasping policy of the favored sect.” An insinu-l so:i;e time after the attack was made upon Franklin
ation had been thrown out, that, whenever an officer! College, and tho false and illiberal charges and in.
of any other denomination obtained a part in its in. sinurtiens which were published by your friends ( as
struction, it was under circumstances unpleasant and it now appears) against mo and some of my friends.
“ alcrmirig.” And to prove this it was said, “ a j that yon did-not give countenance to thorn. I ai
base attack had been made upon Mr, Olin, an afflicted | reluctantly constrained to change my opinion, as
and innocent man, wiio had rendered the College I have now the most positive evidence, that yon
and State valuable services.” What more effectual I taken noliRle pains (o convince all within thc s]
moans could have been devised to arouse the suspi-1 of your influence, that these charges and insinua
cions of the public, that it was the design of the Fa- lions arelruo I do not complain of the courso pur-
culty and of the Board of Trustees, to keep, if pot-si- I sued towards the College or myself so far as any de-
blo, all other denominations from the Institution, I finite charges have been mado'. I trust I shall not
and if this co'uld not in every instance be done, to shrink from a full and public investigation of every
treat them in such a manner as to deter others from act of mine with respect to the institution. But 1
wishing, or attempting to seek its offices ? When, think from the relation which I have so long sustain
these suspicions were sufficici lly aroused, Mr. Olin ed to you, and from my (as I think) unwearied efforts
publishes to the world a complimentary certificate to render your situation, while here, as comfortable
from his old associates ; but liehnld, there is not tho I as possible, I am entitled from yon to the common
name of a solitary Fresbyterian officer to it!! This I principles of justice. I certainly did during the
was thought to be sufficient proof—all were ready to last half of the year,1628 instruct your elass for you.
acknowledge, that the unfriendly disposition which I thought it cost me usually one half of each., eight t<
had boon attributed to that sect, was true !! Was it I enablo me to meet this duty and the others which
not my duty, sustaining my present relation to the belonged to my own department.- Yon know well
College, to remove, as far as was possible, these you received the full amount of your salary. You
groundless suspicions to it ? And had I not a per-1 certainly do know that on your return from New
feet right, and that too, consistently with perfect England in 1631, you claimed and received $200 for
delicacy, to say that the relations between Mr. Olin I stepping into the examination room about one hour,
and myself, had ever been of foe most amicable na- I then thooghi, end still think, you had no right to a
ture? j salary without *ny service. I certainly could have
Mr. Olin'had authorized a Professor - in the Col-1 objected to its payment, but did not.
Iftge to 8.iy, “ that the youth of the State are, while ' I fee* conscious that sinco your residence bore du
at this place, brought under an influence which is j ring your last connexion with the Inatitution, I have
calculated to turn them frpm the faith of focir fathers,” I endeavored to render your situation as pleasant **
possible, and in no instance can I imagine, except
possibly in the little difficulty between you anil
there has been to you an appearance of the want of
Christian kindness. So far as was in my power, you
were relieved from all duties which were calculated
to injure your health. I know 1 proffered to hear
your class for you whenever the weather should be
such as to endanger your health by coming out.—
You recollect well at the commencement, almost all
thc Senior and Junior orations were thrown upon the
other officers—a large number of these I had, and
repeatedly sit up till from 12 to 2 o’clock at night, in
performing this duty, having two recitations to
hear and many other duties preparatory to coin,
menccincnt. You know that you never have been
able to attend the public examinations, except sim
ply your own classes, and that four weeks of the
most fatiguing and responsible service of the Col
lege was each year thus taken frdm you. You recol
lect that after foe last commencement, you expressly
stated to the faculty, that you could not hear more
lhairone recitation each day, while every other offi
cer except had two or three. ' I ask w hellier du
ring tho wliolc of your connexion with the College for
tho last two years, you ever heard a recitation for
another officer. This you know was often done by
others. I make these statements not to boast of any
thing which I have dono or which any other has
performed for you. 1 acknowledge that as far as
sympathy was concerned for afflictions, you were en
titled to them; and that as a colleague and Chris
tian Minister, you.had a right to expect all that was
done to make your situation as pleasant os possible
And I ask whether any thing over occurred which
was calculated to show that I did not act from cor-
ct motives 7 Was a complaint ever made by my
self that you could not discharge your duties ? Hud
not thon a right to expect, when thc most unfoun
ded charges were made against mo, and in a mutter
100, concerning which you could not be ignorant,
that at leu6t' you would say to your private friends
these charges and insinuations are unfounded ? And
above all, huve I not a right' to complain that you
have authorized those with whqm you have influ.
cnce, to say that there things are in your opinion true?
Was there any thing hypocritical in tho business of
Colonel Few ? Did I not ask you to point out some
other individuals of your Church ? Did I not say
to you and to Mr. Shannon that I wished you to di.
vide with me that duty ? Did you net again and
again say to me I had better invite no one but a mein
ber of thc Faculty ? As you have declared publicly
that what is contained iu thp first number of tho
Equal Rights is, except so much as relates to J. P,
Waddcl, true, will you have the (rankness to give a
definite fehape to tho charges you have thus virtual
ly made against the College and myself? I cannot
suppose that you wish to injure me or the College
any further than truth would do so ; and your Minis
tcrial character forbids the idea that you will know,
ingly give countenance to inrinuations, and not be
willing when called upon to make specifications.—
Will you then give mo. definite answers to the fol
lowing questions ?
1. What has been wrong in connexion with the
preaching of thc Commencement Sermon, or the in
viling of persons to preach it since I have had the
control of this matter ? ~
2. What is there in the Commencements and their
accompaniments which would impress a stranger
with tho belief that Presbyterianism is the establish
ed religion of Georgia ?
3. What has there been in the election of any offi.
ccr to give alarm at the grasping and exclusive pol
icy of thc Presbyterian Church ?
4. How does tho present organization of the Col.
iege virtually amount to a denial of its privileges to
largo’ proportion of tho people.
5. What aro the tendencies of th'o College.?
6. In what rcsjicct are the youth brought under
an ii.fluenco which is calculated to turn them from'
the f rith of their futhejs ?
7. In what have you been unjustly treated by the
Board ?
I ask theso questions because they relate either to
myself or tho College. I havo intended no disre.
spcct, and declare, if there be any tiring in this com.
munication which has that appearance, it is not in.
tended. While connected with tho College, I am
bound to support its reputation as far as possiblo.—
As a man I Can but feel as other men do, under false
charges and insinuations. An early reply will oblige
your most obedient. A. CHURCH.
Of “ its vulgarities, and insolence and abuso,” I
am not, of course, a proper judge—the public will
doubtless decide upon it. Not having been written
for the public eye, it may be and doubtlesB is very
obnoxious to criticism. This letter is declared by
Mr. Olin as Amounting to “ demonstration,” that I
am thc author of what ho calls the charges against
him, and which he has arranged in columns, denom
inated in his own, ^certainly not- vulgar, but chaste
and classic) terms, “ inception, maturity and presen
tation." And what charges do these formidable par
allels contain ? I wish every reader, to refer to
them, and he will find that they are nothing hut na
ked facts, which were as well known to every intek
ligent citizen of Athens, and I might«av, to almost
any one at all acquainted with thc Collegers to myself.
It is worse than ridiculous for Mr. Olin to speak of
the “ inception and maturity and presentation of
thought" about those notorious facts. “They indeed
ne: d no comment,"and'I might, with ca much proprie.
ty, be charged with thc authorship of his sickness, as
with the authorship of theso charges.
Who in Athens, that felt any interest in foe Col.
lege, did not know that other officers often dischar
ged his duties ? Who did not know that he almost
invariably absented himself frurn public examinations?
And was tho fact of his.huving received a salary du.
ring the remainder of the year 1831, after his return
from New-England, unknown ? It may possibly
have some effect where none of these circumstances
are known, to say that ho has been charged with
these things.
• Let-us therefore, look at seme of those charges,
will begin with the first “ inception,” viz : what he
calls the “ fiction of his complaint against the Board
of Trustees.” This charge by whoever made, is no
fiction. ■ He did complain of the Board—ho did it to
me—he said tho Board had denied him a right in not
permitting him to maxe a statement before them rel-
ative to his difficulty with . Ho cannot fail to
recollect, and I iiave no doubt every mer ber of tho
Board, at that time present, will recollect his extreme
anxiety to be heard ; and surely he will not deny
that he repoatedly expressed his displeasure . at the
decision of the Board in that case ! Tho following
assertion, therefore, I confess, “ filled me with pro
found astonishment, and is an affecting proof of thc
strength of that malign influence which publishes
private letters, betrays official .and confidential re
lations, and violates even more sacrod obligations, x
pursuit of a favorite object,” viz: “ against the Board
as such, or any considerable part, I never had cause
of complaint, and I never complained.”
His second complaint is with respect to tho $200,
as it is called, or his salary after his return to the
State, and before he entered upon tho duties of his
office. Tha,t ho received a salary during the period
alliided to, was not unknown, nor as 1 1 ever under
stood, intended to be kept a secret. Mr. Olin return
ed just ns tho term closed, and did not even remain
to hear the public examinations which were then go
ing on. For the last six months of his previous
connexion with the College, he hail received his sal.
ary, without I believe ever onlgrlrig its buildings. Ho
now returned just at the commencement of the long
vacation. It was not Very strange that persons
should enquire whether he received his salary. The
question was asked me whether ita had, and wheth
er I thought him justly entitled to it. I did not feol
under obligations to conceal a fact which tho Treas
urer himself had made known, and which he was un.
der obligations to report to tho Board of Trustees
nor did I feel under obligations to conceal my opin-
ion. I did not consider him entitled to it—1 am yet
of the same opinion, and bolieve the general proccc
dings of the Board will sustain my opinion.
- Tho next chargo is, my pnblic boastings of cour
tesies extended towards him. I am not conscious
of ever'baving, in the slightest degree, wounded his
feelings in this respect. He never complained while
here “ of indecent and unfeeling parade made about
iits ill health.” Will it be asked why theses havo
been mentioned, since his leaving the College ? I
answer, to meet grave' charges against tho College,
which was represented B3 being almost wholly un
der tho influenco of one sect, and that sect unwil
ling to admit any other denomination to a “ partici
pation in its government and instruction." Was.
there any thing improper, or even indelicate, in
the friends of the College showing the falsehoods
of these “ insinuations ?” And how could they
more effectually do it than by staling that Presbyte
rian officers had, for a length of time, performed the
duties of a sick Methodist officer, in order to re
tain him in tho institution ? Will Mr. Olin deny
that his particular friends often used foo samo ar
gument to persuade him to remain here 7 Why then
might it not be used by those who were accused of
being hostile to him and to his sect ? of grasping
all the offices of the College, and, as far as in their
power, excluding others from it ? Would any sot of
men silently submit to such accusations ? accusa
tions too, sanctioned and advised by a man who had
received no unkind ness at their hands, end whoso
situation they iiad tailored to render as pleasant as pos
sible ? As I am called upon for self defence, I shall
lay aside tho fear of egotism, anil I here declare, 1
have ever endeavored to render Mr. Olin’s office,
while he was connected with this institution,
pleasant as possiblo. I havo labored for him, and
labored for him cheerfully—and as I believe without
boasting, or even wishing to injure his feelings. An
other charge is, accusing him of not at any time
hearing recitations for other officers. It may be
called a charge or a fact, or any thing else—but it is
true, and was known to every officer and student.
accordance with his advice. And _
and has to'this day permitted, the following a*,--. ■»
of lii» friends to stand uncontradicted, vu7"* ni#5
“ Mr. Few was written to, tho letter miscarried
second letter is written to know why the
n-t answered: nor*after the matter was er-' * 11
'XpUifryl
Mr. Few or any of his brethren over arteia-wT 0 - 1 *
vited to preach.” Will the public fcclievo that
Olin, who charges others with want of magninL ■
actually wrote, at my request, a second letter to!?'
Few, inquiring why tho first was not answered.
still inviting him to preach? andthatailer Ulr
dcclinod, Mr. Olin was requested to name tome J?
minister of his denomination, and advised n;e n
invito any other? Why did ho not in thisba^'
contradict, or nt least tell Iris friend, the write/?
contradict this utterly false statement ? a staten*?
well calculated to give a most improper direction-
was a fact which I had often regretted, though I am
sure I never complained of it to any one, not even
to a member of the faculty. It is important in an
institution like this, that the classes should recite
regularly. And it is a matter of duty, as well as of
courtesy, for one- officer to hear the recit itions of
another, if he be not engaged at that hour, aud tho
other be indisposed or unavoidably detained from
performing tho duty. 1, however, never mado
charge of this kind in public or in private. But as
Mr. Olin had provoked a discussion upon thc sub.
jeet of the College, he ought not to shrink from facts
I mentioned this subject among many others, in iny
private letter to him, to show that so far as I coni
recollect, he had berm treated with great kindness
and courtesy.
The next complaint is his being accused of not at.
tending |h«* public examinations. That lie seldom
attended tho examination of any class, except wliilo
engaged in his own department, is true, and it is
a fact as well known in the College, and generally
in tho town, as that we have public examinations.
Indeed, he did not always examine his own class. I
have been obliged by his non-nttondanco, to examine
his class at tho public examination, and that -too up
on a subject to which I had not been immediately at
tending. I have frequently mado apologies for his
absence from public examinations, by assigning as
a reason what was known to every one in Athens,
that his hoalth was such, he could not without great
injury to it, sit long in a crowded room. Tho Board
of Vistiors for the last two years will, I doubt not,
recollect how seldom lie was present during their at.
tendance Upton thc examinations of the Senior classes.
I have now examined, I believe, each of the char
ges in the formidable parallels. They are before the
public, and I am willing to leave them there. [ have
had no agency in making them public, nor do I son
any thing wrong in tho-manner which I Lave spoken
of them. I have never wished, nor do I at this
time, wish to injure Mr. t?hn. I have dono more
for him than I would havo done for my own brother,
in the same situation. Had ho been my brother, I
would have advised his earlier leaving the College,
solely on account of health. He had not, and his
friends here all knots it, he had not health and
siren gilt sufficient to sustain the duties of his office
1 do not hesitate to say that / could not myself have
received his salary, for so little service as was render
ed by him. This however, is the first time I havo
ever made the remark. I was anxious that ho should
remain, still hoping it possible ho might ultimately
:ive better health—but particularly because he was
favorite with his own denomination, and would, I
thought, so far as they were concerned, do more to
unite them in support of tho College than most other
men. The- institution has always had to contend
with many difficulties and prejudices. It had now
been placed upon a foundation, which if not torn
from beneath it, would enable it to proceed with
credit and with usefulness. I was therefore-willing
to labor for Mr. Olin, if that labor would, by retain
ing him, be calculated to advance the best interests
of thc Institution
Having taken this general viow of his indictment,
and noticed thc most important counts, I will now
refer to. a few of the less important, which could not
conveniently be noticed before. I shall follow them
in their order. And 1st. Ho says “ tho iltack has
been kept up with few interruptions, until the pres
ent timo.” The truth however is, not a syllable has
been published sinco thc 22nd of February, a period
of more than three months, except by his friends
and himself. His last reply and explanation through
Dr. Pierco, was uot noticed, and I believe tho uni
versal feeling in this State, was, a desire that so
profitless a controversy, should never be revived,
There were statements in tho explanation by Dr.
Pierce, which were not true—but. all were disposed
to suffer them to pass uncontradicted rather than
trouble again the waters of strife. 2nd. Why docs
ho mention “ private grievances ?" < Docs he fear
(hem ? Is there any more impropriety in bringing
forward private grievances than private letters—than
most confidential communications?” Ifhehasby
that (doubtless to the public mysterious sentence) in
tended to insinuate that he has a knowledge of any
private transactions of mino, which would not ap.
pear well if exposed, he is invited to bring thorn forth
3d. He says that “-I and my friends.hail given
tho desired direction to public prejudice, and that
was not disposed to interfere with its operation.”
That “ I had not, when correctly informed, magna-
nimity enough to correct misstatements." I ask the
public to compere this complaint with his own mag.
nanimity. He and his writers (I use the plural, be.
cause there were two—ono of whom could not, ac
cording to tho plan agreed tipon, appear in print, t ill
after a certain disclaimer which it was believed would
he necessary after the publication of the 1st No,
had uttempted to prejndico the public against this
Colloge by asserting that “ young men while hero,
are under an influence calculated to turn them from
the faith of their fathers.” Mr. Olin need not now
say, all that was meant, was a general influence act-
ing on tho plastic minds of embryo Lawyers,” &.c.
He knows that the insinuation was perfectly un
derstood—and if a doubt remains, it is solved by turn,
ing to tlie next number of “ Equal Rights,” where in
answer to a challenge to bring forward a single in
stance, m which an “ attempt had been made to
turn a student from tho religion of his father,” it
said, “ Upon this head we recommend caution to
our friend—we w.oaid advise him not to presume too
much upon foo prudence of his church-” Was not
direction hero given to public prejudice ? And whore
was Mr. Olin’s magnanimity, who can now, (after his
Own friends havo come out with a public declaration
of-tho falsehood of the assertion) declare that
never knew of any improjier interference ?” If ho
was foot warm and ardent friend pf this College,
whiqji he would fain convince os ne is, why did ho suf
fer these base and slanderous assertions to go uncon-
tradicted ? But no t “he had given direction to public
prejudice ?” Again ; I had been-accused, and .with
his sanction too, of acting under the influence
sectarianism, wltere it was confessedly improper.—
Tho subject was explained and reference made to him.
Where was his magnanimity ? lie was perfectly fa
miliar with the whole subject—he hod even advised
me in the whole matter,' and I had acted in exact
public prejudice ? But sgaiu, in this same c ?
graph, he complains that “ ho is considered as k u
injj some unlawful and traitorous intercourse
writers who had not 6tatcd a single fact which mi ;,
not havo been derived from a hundred sources
Aud yot ho attempts to arraign mc for, as he M ''
informi-jg Mr. Mitchell and others of facts, mos/?
which yore known to probably more than200 Vo j :
men who were then, or had been, students i a
College—and ail of which were as generally kco *
in Athens ns thc common occurrences conntc/j
with the institution. 4th. Thc next subject ' a ?*
case of discipline. “ Seven,” says he, “ out 0 f t ?
eight members of tho Faculty, and Dr. Cha.-*
among them, did fully, unequivocally and repeal
express their entire approbation of my conduct /
this affair.” “ I took no part in tho mcisun* ,i
discipline adopted in the case.” In these dcclar
tions there is some truth, much that is
and not a small portion of sophistry. If ^
out of tho eight, and myself among tho rest,
proved of Mr. Olin’s conduct, as to the dismiss'®
five out of the seven decidedly disapproved of j,
conduct, respecting the restoration of that you,
man. And yot Mr. Oljn says the seven unequi*?
cally approved of his conduct. I beg the atteatn
of the pu’lie to tho certificate, which he seems t
think so triumphantly shuts the mouth o"slander, k
is certainly couched in terms well calculated to &
ccivo. Mr. Olin asks them to say whether he actdl
prudently and properly in the affair—end whether :J|
theTaculty did not r-'pcctedly, and without qualiSn.
tion, approve of his conduct? The certificitcnn
“ wo cheerfully certify that in our opinion voij
conduct in the transacts ns which led to his du.
mission, was marked by moderation, propriety yj
pruuenco—and every member of tho faculty whan.
pressed any opinion at that time, did unqualified
approve your conduct on that occasion." Thisce.
tuinly lookd well, very fair, nnd l doubt not tas
those who are not familiar with thr whole transacts
have had the very impression made upon theirmir-ti,
which was intended. They believed that in fa
whole of the transactions to which, allusion is he,
made, every member of the faculty approved of fa
whole of, Mr. Olin’s conduct. Does the certiliiuu
say so ? Not at all—it only speaks of transaction
relating to his dismission—but not a word is a,-
about his restoration, a subject.' of much mora e.
portance. Five of the seven members did not q.
prove of Mr. Olin’s conduct on this subject. Even
member of tho faculty but two, was willing to g.
store this young man, provided it could he fiw
without injury to Mr. Olin’s feolings. They though:
the ends of discipline had been sufficiently giuweit:
in his punishment. Mr. Olin refused to givoh:
consent, and the young man was kept for a coni,
cruble timo from the institution. But Mr. Olinsni
he took no part in the measure adopted in this ct»,
“ He may possibly take refuge in a strict and literj
construction of these words.” But ho did tirii^i
and most effectually tako part in tho whole buiiu
of keeping tho young man from re-entering thc Cd
logo for a longth of time. Ho toid tho faculty at?
would take no part, and that they must do atGq | j
pleased, yot ho always left it distinctly undercut. [
that if thc young man were restored he would n
sign, tie attempted to carry this very case bcftgj
the Board of Trustees—to introduce into that bar. f
subject which he well know would produoovqfi
unhappy consequences in tho faculty—and tliisCr
tempt was made after ho had determined to lcir
the institution—-apparently desirous of sowing, l !!
far as in his power, tho fruitful seeds of divoa j
among tho Trustees and officers of the institute:
Ho was not, however, permitted to bring thc ai
ject before tho Board : nnd it was for this refiss
that he was so much displeased with that body
which displeasure ho did express in sl:ong teno
Thc next subject which I shall notice, is his creed
given to us in gre^t kindness to save us thc trou
ble hereafter qf locking for proof ngainrt him."-
Hc docs not wish” he says, “toconceal i-.is o»
ions.” No ono will doubt this assertion. Itisiv-!;
lently at this time, important to him, that hit atdl
should lie embraced in Georgia. A strong faith i: I
this creed would doubtless bo followed by wha!
would call,emphatically,good works. If the dangeiow j
tendency which ho ascribes to thin institution carb)l
established, his friends will surely be liberal in four.?-1
ing and building Up the one over which ho presides.
But let us examine this creed. “ I believe, thee,”
says he, “ that five men (tSo number is full of morn
ing,) engaged in the government and instruction if
a College, will do more to strengthen and establish
their Church, than five times their number can it-
complish employed any other way. I believe if
give any religious sect the control of the educate
of the State, it will in thirty years control the I/pj
iature.” Here is certainly some “ adroitness” i»1
keeping tho Collego associated with tho centre! d
tlie education of_ tlio Slate, and if possible leaving
the impression upon the mind, that the whole educ
tion of the State is centered in that seminary.-
But who will deny that the education of thc State i*
almost entirely accomplished in the family’, and i«
thc primary school, and in tho academy ? Yci»;
men by the time they enter Collego, havo had “
amoral force.acting on their plastic minds,”w t0
prevent any further im|>ortant sectarian prejudice
from being formed. No man will deny the force fl
education. But the education which forms tho groe--
work of moral, and particularly of -mere sectcr®
feeling, is almost invariably finished, before the C-
dent enters College. Mr. Olin says, “ the habitu
contemplation of authority, piety, and learning
things most venerable and imposing—centered J
the men of a-particular Church, gives a bias to i*
mind, during its forming age, which is seldom cbac?
ged.” The sentiment, is perfectly correct. ^
what is "theforming age ?" Is it that age
which thcy.are usually at College ? An ago ri*
they have more confidence in their opinions, and
lees disposed to abandon their opinions, then at*!
other period at their lives?' And where is it,
they are most likely to bo struck with “ tho venew*
and imposing appearances” of which Mr. Oliasj* 5 **
Not at College! where the frivolities, and indi^ 8 ;
tions, and disorders, and ambitions, necessarily ^
dent to such institutions, will be calculated to br.ib
them often into collision with their Professors,**'■
under what tho.ardent and buoyant mind of
often considers, the restraints of bigolry and fsWj
cism. If yon will ; give any Church the e*b[
early education of tbo state, that Church will witi
ont doubt, ultimately control the legislature.
how can such a thing take place under our fonn £
government ? In .this country almost eveiy ent
has the forming touch given to his nund at home
and the usual and almost un variable bias to bis n
tuts usual aixu «uuiu.>v uusu*.— . ■.
gious feelings around the domestic altar, and in
family Church. But facts are worth more
theory upon a subject of this kind—and trim*
fn>1a in tKia inctnm*n nPOVfl ? CCftSIlllV OOt tDC
facts in this instance prove ? Certainly not I
of the two great proositions which Mr. O. lnnoi*
establish, viz:
1st. “ That an unjust and dangerous pnipon*
ance has' been given to the Presbyterian Church,
the organization of Franklin Colloge, which
been maintained, for foe moat part, throughout?
subsequent history." And 2adly, “ That ify«P
to any religious sect foe control of the ediKth 0 -