LACK OF HARMONY BETWEEN PRESIDENT WHEELOCK AND OTHER
TRUSTEES.--REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE.--ESTIMATE OF HIS
CHARACTER.
The administration of President John Wheelock is remarkable for two
things; its great length, and its unhappy close.
The great "Dartmouth Controversy" is one of the most impressive
chapters in the annals of American colleges.
In discussing this subject it is necessary to consider some of the
influences which had aided in moulding President Wheelock's character.
His residence at Yale College was at an important period in the
history of that institution, commencing soon after the resignation of
President Clap, who had been driven from his position, virtually, for
opposing any interference in the affairs of the college, by the
Legislature. The friends of education were divided in sentiment, as to
the wisdom of his course, and the institution was in some sense under
a cloud till the accession of President Stiles--a friend of the
Wheelock family--who effected an arrangement by which the State was
admitted to a share in the management of the college. The following
letter from a prominent Trustee of Dartmouth to the president, written
just at this period, shows that the animated contest in Connecticut
was only the natural and logical precursor of one more animated and
much more important, in New Hampshire.
"Charlestown, November 17, 1791.
"Hon. Sir: I have set my name to the petition, etc., although, I
confess not without some hesitation and reluctance. I like the plan
well in general,--but there is one exception. I cannot form any idea
of what is intended by the proposal, That the Council, or Senate, or
both, be admitted to some cern in the government of the university
[college].
"This appears to me to be a proposal of too much or nothing at all,
and of something not in the power of this Board to confer, who I think
cannot admit any foreign jurisdiction, any man, or number of men to
any share in government of the university, properly so termed,
otherwise than what the Constitution specifies.
"I have, however, subscribed under the influence of this
consideration: That in the event it may subject us to no other
inconvenience, but the imputation of inconsistence in conduct in
hereafter rejecting a compliance with our own proposal, if we shall
find that more is performed by others than was intended, or can be
admitted by us, though fairly enough proffered.
"I think some precautionary injunctions to the Agent in this matter
would be wise and prudent.
"In haste--
"I am, sir, with much esteem and sincere affection,
"Your sincere friend and humble servant,
"Bulkley Olcott."
"President Wheelock."
* * * * *
Mr. Wheelock's experiences also as a legislator and military
commander, in early life, doubtless gave him a larger confidence in
his own abilities on the one hand, and on the other a more profound
conviction that everything in the State should, be subordinate to the
State.
The religious aspects of President Wheelock's character, are worthy of
special notice. He was the dutiful, in some sense the favorite son of
an honored father. The former president, although sound in the faith,
had more catholic views and broader sympathies than many of the
leading divines of his day. The son was no less liberal than the
father. This liberality was doubtless the real cause of difference
between the second president and his associates in office. His first
decided opponent was Nathaniel Niles, who entered the Board in 1793, a
man of rare ability, and in early life a pupil of Dr. Bellamy, whose
religious views on some points were materially different from those of
his contemporary and neighbor, the first president.
The first important point gained by Mr. Niles was the election of his
friend, Mr. Shurtleff, to the chair of Divinity, in 1804.
For ten years the breach was constantly widening between the president
and his opponents. We now find the following official records:
"At a meeting of the Trustees, November 11, 1814, the following
preamble and resolutions, introduced by Charles Marsh, Esq., were
adopted.
"Whereas, the duties of the president of this university have become
very multiplied and arduous; and, whereas, it is necessary that he
should continue to attend to the concerns of this institution, and the
various officers and departments thereof, and should have time to
prepare and lay before this Board the business to which its attention
should be directed; therefore, resolved, that, in order to relieve the
president from some portion of the burdens which unavoidably devolve
on him, he be excused in future from hearing the recitations of the
Senior Class, in Locke, Edwards, and Stewart.
"Resolved, that the Professors, Shurtleff and Moore, jointly supply
the pulpit, in such manner as may be agreed between them. That
Professor Shurtleff hear the recitation of the Senior class in Edwards
on the Will; that Professor Adams hear the recitation of the Senior
class in Locke on the Human Understanding, and that Professor Moore
hear the recitation of the Senior class in Stewart's Philosophy of the
Mind, and that he hear them in both volumes of that work."
This action of the Board was followed by the publication of the
"Sketches," and, in June, 1815, the presentation of the following
Petition to the New Hampshire Legislature:
* * * * *
"Honorable Legislators,--The citizens of New Hampshire enjoy security
and peace under your wise laws; prosperity in productive labors by
means which you have adopted; and, by your counsels, increasing
knowledge in the establishment of literature through the State. But,
for none of these, can so much be ascribed to your attention as for
Dartmouth College. By your patronage and munificence it was
flourishing in former years; and so it still would have continued had
the management of its concerns been adapted to answer the designs of
your wisdom, and the hopes of its most enlightened and virtuous
friends.
"To your Honorable body, whose guardian care encircles the
institutions of the State, it becomes incumbent on the citizens to
make known any change in their condition and relations interesting to
the public good. To you alone, whose power extends to correcting or
reforming their abuses, ought he to apply when they cease to promote
the end of their establishment, the social order and happiness.
"Gladly would the offerer of this humble address, avoiding to trouble
your counsels, have locked up his voice in perpetual silence, while
the evils are rolling on and accumulating, were he not otherwise
compelled by a sense of duty to your Legislature, and to the best
interests of mankind, in the present and future times.
"Will you permit him to suggest there is reason to fear that those who
hold in trust the concerns of this seminary have forsaken its original
principles and left the path of their predecessors. It is unnecessary
to relate how the evil commenced in its embryo state; by what means
and practices, they, thus deviating, have in recent years, with the
same object in view, increased their number to a majority controlling
the measures of the Board; but more important is it to lay before you
that there are serious grounds to excite apprehensions of the great
impropriety and dangerous tendency of their proceedings; reasons to
believe that they have applied property to purposes wholly alien from
the intentions of the donors, and under peculiar circumstances to
excite regret; that they have in the series of their movements, to
promote party views, transformed the moral and religions order of the
institution, by depriving many of their innocent enjoyment of rights
and privileges for which they had confided in their faith; that they
have broken down the barriers and violated the Charter, by prostrating
the rights with which it expressly invests the presidential office;
that, to subserve their purposes, they have adopted improper methods
in their appointments of executive officers, naturally tending to
embarrass and obstruct the harmonious government and instruction of
the seminary; that they have extended their powers, which the Charter
confines to the college, to form connection with an academy[33] in
exclusion of the other academies in the State, cementing an alliance
with its overseers, and furnishing aid from the college treasury for
its students; that they have perverted the power, which by the
incorporation they ought to exercise over a branch of Moor's Charity
School, and have obstructed the application of its fund according to
the nature of the establishment and the design of the donors; and that
their measures have been oppressive to your memorialist in the
discharge of his office.
[33] Kimball Union Academy.
"Such are the impressions as now related, arising from the acts and
operations of those who have of late commanded the decisions of the
Board.
"Your memorialist does not pretend to exhibit their motives, whether
they have been actuated by erroneous conceptions, or mistaken zeal, or
some other cause, in attending to the concerns of the institution. But
with great deference he submits the question, unless men in trust
preserve inviolable faith, whether pledged by words, or action, or
usage, to individuals, unless they continuously keep within the limits
assigned to them by law; if they do not sacredly apply the fruits of
benevolence committed to their charge, to the destined purpose; if the
public affairs in their trust are not conducted with openness,
impartiality, and candor, instead of designed and secret management;
if they become pointedly hostile to those who discern their course,
and honestly oppose their measures which are esteemed destructive; if
they bear down their inoffensive servants, who are faithful to the
cause of truth, how can an establishment under these circumstances, be
profitable to mankind? How can there be a gleam of prospective joy to
any except to those who are converting its interest into their own
channel, to serve a favorite design? What motive, then, will remain to
benefactors to lay foundations, or to bestow their charities on such
an object?
"There is also ground for increasing, fearful apprehension, by adding
to the immediate, what may be the ultimate effect of the measures
which have been described. In a collective view they appear to the
best acquainted and discerning to be, in all their adaptations,
tending to one end, to complete the destruction of the original
principles of the college and school, and to establish a new modified
system, to strengthen the interests of a party or sect, which, by
extending its influence under the fairest professions, will eventually
affect the political independence of the people, and move the springs
of their government.
"To you, revered legislators! the writer submits the foregoing
important considerations. He beholds, in your Honorable body, the
sovereign of the State, holding, by the Constitution, and the very
nature of sovereignty in all countries, the sacred right, with your
duty and responsibility to God, to visit and oversee the literary
establishments, where the manners and feelings of the young are
formed, and grow up in the citizen in after life; to restrain from
injustice, and rectify abuses in their management, and, if necessary,
to reduce them to their primitive principles, or so modify their
powers as to make them subservient to the public welfare. To your
protection, and wise arrangements, he submits whatever he holds in
official rights by the Charter of the seminary; and to you his
invaluable rights as a subject and citizen.
"He entreats your honorable body to take into consideration the state
and concerns of the college and school, as laid before you.
"And as the Legislature have never before found occasion to provide,
by any tribunal, against the evils of the foregoing nature, and their
ultimate dangers, he prays that you would please, by a committee
invested with competent powers, or otherwise, to look into the affairs
and management of the institution, internal and external, already
referred to, and, if judged expedient in your wisdom, that you would
make such organic improvements and model reforms in its system and
movements, as, under Divine Providence, will guard against the
disorders and their apprehended consequences.
"He begs only to add the contemplated joys of the friends of man and
virtue, in the result of your great wisdom and goodness, which may
secure this seat of science, so that it may become an increasing
source of blessings to the State, and to mankind of the present and
succeeding ages, instead of a theatre for the purpose of a few,
terminating in public calamity.
"Whatever disposal your Honorable body may please to make of the
subject now presented, the subscriber will never cease to maintain the
most humble deference and dutiful respect.
John Wheelock."
* * * * *
It would not be profitable, at the present time, to re-open the
discussion of the subject matter of the various charges contained in
the above document, which were so fully elaborated in the "Sketches,"
and so carefully considered in the subsequent "Vindication" by the
Trustees.
The prayer of the Memorial was granted by the Legislature, by the
appointment of a committee of investigation. The following letter is
worthy of careful attention in this connection:
"Exeter, August 15, 1815.
"My dear Sir,--In common with many others I have felt considerable
anxiety for the issue of the matter so much in public discussion
relative to Dartmouth College. I do not feel either inclined or
competent to give any opinion as to the course which ought finally to
be adopted by the Board of Trustees for the benefit of that
institution. I am entirely willing to leave that to the determination
of those much better informed on the subject and better able to judge.
From certain intimations which I have lately had, I am led to believe
an intention is entertained by some members of the Board of ending all
difficulty with the president by removing him from office. I greatly
fear such a measure adopted under present circumstances, and at the
present time, would have a very unhappy effect on the public mind. An
inquiry is now pending, instituted after considerable discussion, by
the Legislature of this State, apparently for the purpose of granting
relief for the subject matter of complaint. The Trustees acquiesce in
this inquiry; whether they appear before the committee appointed to
make it formally as a body, or informally as individuals, the public
will not deem of much importance. The Legislature, I think, for
certain purposes, have a right to inquire into an alleged
mismanagement of such an institution, a visitorial power rests in the
State, and I do not deem it important for my present view to determine
in what department or how to be exercised. The Legislature may, on
proper occasion, call it into operation. I have never seen the
president's memorial to the Legislature, but am told it is an abstract
from the 'Pamphlet of Sketches.' From the statements in that I take
the burthen of his complaint to be, that the Trustees have not given
him a due and proper share of power and influence in the concerns of
the college, and that they have improperly used their own power and
influence in patronizing and propagating in the college particular
theological opinions. The alleged misapplication of funds [paid for
preaching] is stated as an instance of such misconduct. These
opinions, it would seem, are particularly disagreeable to the
president. The whole dispute is made to have a bearing on the
president personally. Should the Trustees, during the pendency of the
inquiry in a cause in which they are supposed to be a party, take the
judgment into their own hands, and summarily end the dispute by
destroying the other party, they will offend and irritate at least all
those who were in favor of making the inquiry. Such will not be
satisfied with the answer that the Trustees have the power and feel it
to be their duty to exercise it. It will be said that the reasons
which justify a removal (if there be any) have existed for a long
time. A removal after so long forbearance, at the present time, will
be attributed to recent irritations.
"That part of the president's complaint which relates to his religious
grievances, addresses itself pretty strongly to the prejudices and
feelings of all those opposed to the sect called Orthodox. This
comprises all the professed friends of liberal religion, most of the
Baptists and Methodist, and all the nothingarians. The Democrats will
be against you, of course. All these combined would compose in this
State a numerous and powerful body. Any measure adopted by the
Trustees with the appearance of anger, or haste, will be eagerly
seized on. If the statements of the president are as incorrect as I
have heard it confidently asserted, an exposure of that incorrectness
will put the public opinion right. It may require time, but the result
must be certain. If it can be shown that his complaints are nothing
but defamatory clamor, he will be reduced to that low condition that
it will be the interest of no sect or party to attempt to hold him up.
I see no danger in delay, but fear much in too great haste. Perhaps
there is no occasion at present to determine how long the Trustees
should delay adopting their final course. Circumstances may render
that expedient at a future time which is not now. I feel much
confidence that a very decisive course against the president by the
Trustees at the present time would create an unpleasant sensation in
the public mind, and would, I fear, be attended with unpleasant
consequences.
"I am sensible I have expressed my opinion very strongly on a subject
in which I have only a common interest. I frankly confess I have been
somewhat influenced by fears that some of the Trustees will find it
difficult to free themselves entirely from the effects of the severe
irritation they must have lately experienced.
"I am, dear sir, with esteem,
"Sincerely yours.
"Jeremiah Mason."
"C. Marsh, Esq."
* * * * *
President Wheelock was removed from office on the 26th of August,
1815, by the vote of a decided majority of the Board, upon grounds of
which the following is the substance:
"1st. He has had an agency in publishing and circulating a certain
anonymous pamphlet, entitled 'Sketches of the History of Dartmouth
College and Moor's Charity School,' and espoused the charges therein
contained before a committee of the Legislature. The Trustees consider
this publication a libel on the institution.
"2d. He claims a right to exercise the whole executive authority of
the college, which the Charter has expressly committed to the
Trustees, with the president, professors, and tutors by them
appointed. He also claims a right to control the Corporation in the
appointment of executive officers.
"3d. He has caused an impression to be made on the minds of students
under censure for transgression of the laws of the institution, that
if he could have had his will they would not have suffered disgrace or
punishment.
"4th. He has taken a youth who was not an Indian, but adopted by an
Indian tribe, and supported him in Moor's School, on the Scotch fund,
which is granted for the sole purpose of instructing and civilizing
Indians.
"5th. He has, without sufficient ground for such a course, reported
that the real cause of the dissatisfaction of the Trustees with him
was a diversity of religious opinions between him and them."
In taking leave of the second president, we have only to remark, as we
introduce his eulogist, Mr. Samuel Clesson Allen, that both parties to
the contest apparently overrated their grievances.
"President Wheelock was distinguished for the extent and variety of
his learning. With a lively curiosity he pushed his inquiries into
every department of knowledge, and made himself conversant with the
various branches of science. But of all the subjects which presented
themselves to his inquisitive mind those which relate to man in his
intellectual constitution and social relations engaged and fixed his
attention. His favorite branches were Intellectual Philosophy, Ethics,
and Politics. Possessing in an eminent degree the spirit of his
station, he fulfilled with singular felicity the offices of instructor
and governor in the college. Animated and ardent himself, he could
transfuse the same holy ardor into the minds of his pupils. What youth
ever visited him in his study, but returned to his pursuits with a
renovated spirit, and a loftier sentiment of glory?
"He had formed the noblest conceptions of the powers of the human
mind, and of its ultimate progress in knowledge and refinement. This
sentiment called forth the energies of his mind, and gave direction
and character to his inquiries. It pervaded all his instructions, and
imparted to science and to letters their just pre-eminence among the
objects of human pursuit.
"He never sought to preoccupy the minds of his pupils with his own
peculiar notions, or to impose upon them any favorite system of
opinions. He endeavored to make them proficients in science, and not
the proselytes of a sect.
"In government he commanded more by example than by authority, and the
admiration of his talents ensured a better obedience than the force of
laws. His elevation of mind placed him above personal prejudices and
resentments, and jealousies of wounded dignity. He practiced no
espionage upon his pupils, but reposed for the maintenance of order
on their sense of propriety, and his own powers of command. He
conciliated their attachment while he inspired their reverence; and he
secured their attention to the stated exercises and reconciled them to
the severest studies by the example he exhibited, and the enthusiasm
he inspired. He knew how to adapt his discipline to the various
dispositions and characters, and could discriminate between the
accidental impulse of a youthful emotion and deliberate acts of
intentional vice.
"He was an interesting and powerful speaker. His erect attitude and
dignified action inspired reverence, and commanded attention. But the
wonderful force of his eloquence arose from the strength and sublimity
of his conceptions. Such were his originality of thought, and rich
variety of expression, that he could present the most common subjects
in new and interesting lights. His public discourses evinced the
strength of the reasoning faculty, the powers of the imagination, and
the resources of genius.
"He would sometimes conduct the mind with painful subtility through
the multiplied steps of a long demonstration. At other times he would
glance upon the main topics of his argument, and seize on his
conclusion by a sort of intuitive penetration. He frequently
embellished his subject with the higher ornaments of style, and
diffused around the severer sciences the graces and elegancies of
taste. For force of expression he might be compared to Chatham, and in
splendid imagery he sometimes rivaled Burke. He would, at pleasure,
spread a sudden blaze around his subject or diffuse about it a milder
radiance.
"To the interpretation of the Scriptures he carried all the lights
which geography, history, and criticism could supply, and poured their
full effulgence upon the sacred page. His daily prayers always
presenting new views of the works and perfections of the Deity,
exhibited whatever was vast in conception, glowing in expression and
devout in feeling.
"He was probably formed not less for the higher offices of active life
than for the speculations of science. Distinguished for the boldness
of his enterprise and the decisive energy of his character, he set no
limits to what individual exertion and effort could accomplish. He
attempted great things with means which other men would have esteemed
wholly inadequate, and the vigor of his mind increased in proportion
to the difficulties he met in the execution of his enterprises. He was
disheartened by no difficulties, he was intimidated by no dangers, he
was shaken by no sufferings. The glory which he sought was not the
temporary applause of this party or that sect, but it was the glory
which results from unwearied efforts for the improvement and happiness
of man. He was not less distinguished by the object and character of
his enterprises than by the great qualities he exhibited in their
accomplishment. His was a high and holy ambition, which, while it
preserved its vigor, identified its objects with those of the purest
charity."
Dartmouth conferred the degree of LL. D. upon President Wheelock in
1789. He died at Hanover, April 4, 1817, his wife, Mrs. Maria (Suhm)
Wheelock, daughter of Governor Christian Suhm, of St. Thomas, W. I.,
surviving him.