learning on the great lines of travel, and in or near large towns. It
should be easy to get to them, and get away from them. The frequent mail
and the time-destroying telegraph are now indispensable where students
are a small minority of the population, and where there is a vigilant
and effective police many disorders are prevented, and faculties and
boards of trust are saved much trouble. Low vice is cheap, and will go
to the most secluded spot in search of victims; but the city presents
many refined pleasures which may serve to draw off ingenuous youth from
haunts of sin and projects of mischief. But there are advantages on the
side of the more quiet and retired situation. It favors concentration of
interest on books, lectures, and light collegiate exercises. The whole
life at the country college becomes student life. There is no division
of mind and heart. There is nothing to tempt the earnest youth from his
proper work. The _esprit du corps_ of old Randolph-Macon was very
strong. There were hospitable and cultivated homes in the neighborhood,
and most charming maidens; those who visited them found entangling
alliances for life, if the fair sex consented. But the number of young
ladies sufficiently near to be easily visited was small, and many of the
students were not, if I must use the modern slang which was unknown in
my day, calicoists. The two literary societies were centres of
enthusiasm. A new Randolph-Macon student can hardly understand the
intensity of devotion "Washs" and "Franks" had for their societies in
those times. All students were members of the one or of the other, and
were ready to brag for it, quarrel for it, and, if need be, fight for
it. They did not all attend regularly the meetings, or take part in
discussion and other literary exercises; their lack of presence or
performance was amply atoned for by the payment of their fines, for we
were always eager to replenish the treasury. But a number studied
carefully the questions of debate, reading largely, and thus, forming a
fondness for books and habit of reflection; they prepared their
speeches, and often waxed very warm. Indeed, bitterness and strife would
sometimes arise, but they soon passed away. A frequent and effective
debater of rather waspish and contemptuous temper alluded one day to the
arguments of his opponents as flimsy cobwebs, as he quoted one after
another, and answered it, 'I brush that cobweb away,' said he. A modest,
merry-hearted man on the other side--he is now one of Lee's one-armed
heroes--responded: 'The gentleman called my arguments cobwebs, and it
may be that they are; but to-day is not the first time that I have seen
a fly caught in a spider's web, and vainly struggling to get loose.'
Colonel R., an intelligent gentleman of the community, said to me more
than once, when he had been listening to a spirited debate, 'It is not
inferior to the best debates I have heard in the Legislature of
Virginia.' Some of the most skilled debaters in church and state would
give a large share of the credit for their power in deliberative
assemblies to the inspiration and training of those old Randolph-Macon
halls. Many foolish things were spoken there, I must admit. 'I don't
know I did the thing with which I am charged,' said an excited Frank;
'but if I did, I oughtn't to be fined, for I did it with malice
aforethought.' 'With malice aforethought!' responded the censor, who was
our honored and beloved Duncan; 'who ever heard before of that being an
excuse?' 'I said it, and I repeat it, that I did it with malice
aforethought; and if the gentleman doesn't understand, I will explain
that it is a law phrase, and means I didn't go to do it!'
"There were many traditions in my day of giants who had been at old
Randolph-Macon. They told how Dr. Olin, the first President, a man of
great head and heart, would send for an idle or offending student, place
his feet on the chair where the delinquent sat so as to hold him, a
close prisoner, and talk to him faithfully, yet tenderly, until with
burning cheeks and floods of tears the youth promised never again to
offend. It was a memorable event when the great man preached; solid
thought in vast masses was driven to the mark with resistless power.
There was a story of an eloquent and mighty sermon from Dr. Lovick
Pierce, of Georgia, from a text which astonished every listener: 'Let
him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his
hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that
needeth.' There were glowing reports of the wonderful pathos and power
of Russell, of Georgia; how he melted the cold, stone hearts of the
Faculty, who were bent on sending him home, but they had all their
resolves converted into admiration and sympathy for the youth who
pleaded eloquently his own cause; how often he electrified his society.
It was my good fortune to see and hear him in the pulpit and on the
platform, when he visited the College as Commencement orator."
During the session of 1847-'48, a man of more than ordinary distinction
and talent became connected as Professor with the College, Rev. Charles
Force Deems. He was a native of New Jersey, and a graduate of Dickinson
College. In very early manhood he came to North Carolina to represent
the American Bible Society in that State. He was there only a short time
before he was elected to a chair at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. When Dr. Smith was elected President in November, 1846, he
was elected Professor of Latin and Belles Lettres. He did not accept the
chair at that time. In December, 1847, he did accept another, and the
January following entered upon his duties as Professor of Chemistry. He
remained that year and then returned to North Carolina, and entered on
the regular work of an itinerant minister. It is not known why he so
soon severed his connection with the College, for which he always to his
latest day expressed an attachment, evidenced by more than one or two
acts of interest and generosity. It is probable that there was little
kindly feeling from some cause not known, or congeniality between him
and the President of the College. This doubtless was the root of the
bitter feud between him and Dr. Smith in after time, culminating in the
alienation of many friends from each other and the North Carolina
Conference from the College.
The portraits of the two now hang near together on the wall of the
Trustees' room in the library, and it is hoped that all "bitterness and
wrath" having been laid aside they together share the blessedness of
heaven.
COLLEGE YEAR 1848-'49.
The report of the President and Faculty gives the following items for
the year 1848-'49:
Students in College proper, 61; in Preparatory Schools, viz.: at the
College, 51; Ridgway, N. C., 20; Garysburg, 40; Lowell, N. C., 21;
Richlands, N. C., 20; in all, 213.
"The schools in North Carolina from the last quarterly returns are in a
prosperous condition, and promise in reasonable time to operate as
valuable auxiliaries."
Professor Deems resigned the chair about December, 1848. The vacancy was
filled, or arranged to be filled, by Charles B. Stuart, of the class of
1845, with the privilege extended to him to spend about a year at
Yale College, where Agricultural and Analytical Chemistry were made
specialties. This arrangement was carried out.
At the meeting of the Board, June, 1849, a department of Agricultural
Chemistry was provided for, to be in charge of Professor Stuart.
[Illustration: RICHARD W. LEIGH, _Major C. S. A.; killed at Murfreesboro,
Tenn._]
The following degrees were conferred:
A. B.
JAMES A. DUNCAN, Va.
WILLIAM G. FOOTE, Miss.
JAMES W. JACKSON, Va.
RICHARD W. LEIGH, Va.
LEWIS MILLER, N. C.
R.S.F. PEETE, Va.
B. CRAVEN (Honorary), N. C.
A. M.
LUCIEN H. LOMAX, S. C.
EDWARD T. HARDY, Va.
O.H.P. CORPREW, Va.
FRANCIS X. FOSTER, S. C.
COLLEGE YEAR 1849-'50.
The attendance this year at the Home Schools was 134 (College, 62;
Preparatory, 72). Improvement reported in general morals and habits of
students.
Great financial embarrassment reported, and urgent appeals for active
measures to secure needed relief.
[Illustration: EDWIN E. PARHAM, A. M., _President of Warrenton,
Petersburg, and Hampton Female Colleges._]
Early in the session of 1849-'50, Professor E. A. Blanch resigned the
Chair of Mathematics on account of continued bad health. Professor John
C. Wills, a distinguished graduate of the Virginia Military Institute,
was elected to fill the vacancy, and entered on his duties. He was a
local minister in the Methodist Church, and a man of fine character and
an accomplished teacher. The College was fortunate in securing such a
man.
The Faculty now consisted of the following; Dr. Smith, President;
Professors Duncan, Stuart, Wills, Corprew (Tutor), and Williams T. Davis
at the Preparatory School near the College.
In June, 1850, they reported the Preparatory School as having done well,
and the reception from it of twenty students for the next session, and
four from the Ridgway Preparatory School. The school at Garysburg, N.
C., had been discontinued. The schools at Lowell, N. C., and Richlands,
N. C., in successful operation and accomplishing much good.
From the above it will be seen that the establishment of academies as
feeders to the College was a fact accomplished before the late effort in
1889. They were all in North Carolina, and the subsequent alienation
carried them away from the College with whatever patronage they were
bringing to it.
Degrees were conferred as follows, June, 1850:
A. B.
EDWIN A. THOMPSON, N. C.
EDWIN E. PARHAM, Va.
EDWARD A. ADAMS, Va.
JOHN F. DANCE, Va.
WILLIAM A. BRAME, N. C.
ROBERT H. WINFIELD, Va.
BENJAMIN C. DREW, Va.
THOMAS F. FITZGERALD, Va.
A. M.
REV. N. F. REID (Hon'y), N. C.
BENNETT PURYEAR, Va.
COLLEGE YEAR 1850-'51.
Number of students reported this year: In College, 91; in Preparatory
School, 62--total, 153.
The schools in North Carolina, except Ridgeway, prosperous.
The year was not satisfactory in the deportment of students generally,
nor in finances.
[Illustration: PROF. WILLIAM T. DAVIS, _Principal Preparatory School._]
In June, 1851, the following degrees were conferred:
A. B.
WILLIAM H. CHRISTIAN, Va.
HUGH D. BRACEY, Va.
WILLIAM M. CRENSHAW, Va.
HENRY F. DRAKE, N. C.
ARMSTREAT E. FOWLKES, Va.
JOHN H. GUY, Va.
HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, Jr., Va.
JOHN S. LONG, N. C.
JAMES O'HANLON, N. C.
JACOB M. PALMER, Va.
REUBEN PALMER, Va.
WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, N. C.
RICHARD H. WILLIAMS, Va.
HENRY W. WINGFIELD, Va.
[Illustration: WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, _Member of Congress from North
Carolina._]
A. M.
RICHARD H. POWELL, Ala.
DAVID CLOPTON, Ala.
THOMAS J. KOGER, S. C.
JAMES F. DOWDELL, Ala.
TENNENT LOMAX, Ala.
JAMES L. PIERCE, Ga.
EDWARD WADSWORTH, Ala.
ADDISON LEA, Miss.
Rev. B. CRAVEN (Honorary), N. C. President Trinity College.
The Finance Committee reported to the Board that the sum of $57,000 had
been raised in subscriptions, bonds, etc., towards the endowment of the
College.
COLLEGE YEAR 1851-'52.
A number of changes took place this year. Williams T. Davis, A. M., who
had for many years successfully conducted the Preparatory School,
retired to go to Petersburg, where he spent the balance of a useful life
in the education of young ladies. He was temporarily succeeded by W. G.
Foote, A. B., and later by James S. Kennedy, A. B., of Emory and Henry
College.
O. H. P. Corprew, A. M., tutor, was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Dean.
The annual report mentions better financial condition; decrease in
patronage, due in part to changes of teachers; the introduction of the
"Demerit system," which is noted as having worked satisfactorily; also
the establishment of the degree of "Bachelor of English Literature and
Science," allowing a degree without taking classical studies.
The Preparatory School at Ridgway, N. C., was discontinued. The other
schools were reported as doing well, but no statistics as to numbers in
attendance were given. The first volume of the _Randolph-Macon
Magazine_, containing ten numbers and three hundred pages, was published
in 1851. The Editors' Table states that "the primary object of our
publication is the _enlargement of our Society libraries_."
The following is another extract from the Editors' Table: "The time is
at hand for us to throw off our dependence upon the North, and establish
an _independent Southern_ literature."
The old _Southern Literary Messenger_ was then published, and several
_Reviews_, more or less literary. None of permanent standing are
published now. Southern independence in government and literature seem
to have both surrendered at Appomattox. Some of these young men laid
down their lives for one, some have been too busy fighting "the wolf at
the door" to do much for the latter. While we lament their defeat, we
admire their pluck.
The following is the title-page of Volume I.:
[Transcribers' Note: In the printed book, the editors and agents are
listed in two parallel columns. The left-hand column is headed "_From
F.L. Society._" and the right-hand column is headed "_From W.L.
Society._"]
THE RANDOLPH-MACON MAGAZINE.
PUBLISHED BY THE STUDENTS OF THE R.-M. COLLEGE.
"_Adeo in teneris consuescere, multum est_."
EDITORS:
_From F. L. Society._
ROBERT M. MALLORY.
WILLIAM Y. PEYTON.
JOHN WILLIAMS.
_From W. L. Society._
CHARLES H. HALL.
JOHN S. JACKSON.
THADDEUS L. H. YOUNG.
AGENTS:
_From F. L. Society_.
JAMES SANGSTER.
THOMAS C. THACKSTON.
_From W. L. Society_.
LEROY M. WILSON.
EDWARD M. PETERSON.
-----------------------
PRINTED BY CHAS. H. WYNNE,
_150 Main Street, Richmond Va._
-----------------------
The following degrees were conferred June, 1852:
A. B.
ROWLAND DOGGETT, Va.
ROBERT A. JACKSON, Va.
SAMUEL LANDER, N. C.
ROBERT M. MALLORY, Va.
BENJAMIN W. OGBURN, Va.
JOHN F. OGBURN, Va.
HORACE PALMER, Jr., Va.
RUFUS R. PEGUES, S. C.
HENRY H. WILLIAMS, Va.
JOHN WILLIAMS, N. C.
A. M.
JAMES W. JACKSON, Va.
JAMES A. DUNCAN, Va.
R.S.F. PEETE, N. C.
WILLIAM G. FOOTE, Miss.
COLLEGE SESSION 1852-'53.
At the annual meeting, June, 1853, the report of the President and
Faculty was duly made, but, from some cause, it was not recorded.
[Illustration: SAMUEL LANDER, D. D., _President Williamston Female
College, South Carolina._]
The following degrees were conferred:
A. B.
CHARLES H. HALL, N. C.
JOHN S. JACKSON, Va.
EMBRY MERRITT, Va.
HENRY D. MILAM, N. C.
JAMES D. PROCTOR, Va.
JAMES E. SEBRELL, Va.
RICHARD W. THURMAN, Va.
JAMES SANGSTER, Va.
A. M.
E. W. ADAMS, Va.
JOHN H. CLAIBORNE, Va.
RICHARD W. LEIGH, Va.
EDWIN E. PARHAM, Va.
GEORGE HOWARD, Va.
LEWIS MILLER, N. C.
ROBERT H. WINFIELD, Va.
Rev. JOHN E. EDWARDS, Va. (Honorary).
D. D.
Rev. HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, North Carolina Conference.
Rev. CHARLES F. DEEMS, North Carolina Conference.
[Illustration: REV. CHAS. H. HALL, _Of the Virginia Conference._]
COLLEGE YEAR 1853-'54.
There were in attendance this year 111 students in College and 43 in the
Preparatory School. Great gratification was expressed on account of the
good order of the session. The financial condition, however, was still
very embarrassing. The scholarships sold had added something to the
endowment fund, but the number of students paying tuition fees was
reduced, and thus the current receipts were not increased. This
embarrassed the officers of the College, because, while they preferred to
remain, higher salaries elsewhere invited them away. The President
stated that he visited the Virginia Legislature and made strenuous
efforts to induce the body to pass an act which would give all
incorporated Colleges $20,000 in State bonds for every $30,000 invested
by them in State bonds. Though the project seemed to meet with great
favor, nevertheless it failed, as all efforts to get the State to aid
denominational colleges have done.
Dr. Smith adds: "But if the hope of succeeding with this scheme be not
sufficient to justify you in making better provision for your officers,
and another should not present itself to your minds affording better
grounds of hope for success, it is respectfully submitted whether it be
not better to close your doors until such of the officers as you shall
deem proper to employ shall succeed in raising from the public an
endowment fund sufficient to meet the wants of the institution."
The venerable Professor David Duncan resigned the Chair of Ancient
Languages, September, 1853, to take effect June, 1854. So in June, after
a continuous faithful service of twenty-one years, he bade farewell to
Randolph-Macon, and went to Wofford, the scene of his labors to the end
of a long life.
Professor O. H. P. Corprew, A. M., was transferred from the Chair of
Natural Philosophy to fill the vacancy occasioned by Professor Duncan's
resignation. Professor Corprew had been elected to the Professorship of
Natural Philosophy in the previous December. H. G. Leigh, Jr., resigned
as Tutor of Languages, and was succeeded by T. H. L. Young, A. B. Wm. H.
Bass resigned the place of Principal of the Preparatory School, and was
succeeded by John W. Stuart.
[Illustration: THOMAS C. ELDER, A. M., _Of the Staunton, Va. Bar._]
John S. Moore, A. M., was elected to the Chair of Natural Philosophy,
vacated by the transfer of Professor Corprew.
At the annual meeting in June, 1854, the following received degrees:
A. B.
JESSE P. BAGBY, Va.
JOHN G. S. BOYD, Va.
RICHARD BOYD, Va.
WILLIAM H. CHEEK, N. C.
THOMAS C. ELDER, Va.
GEORGE W. HAMLIN, Va.
GARLAND B. HANES, Va.
GEORGE W. MAGRUDER, N. C.
ADOLPHUS W. MANGUM, Va.
A. C. MASSENBURG, N. C.
SAMUEL MOORE, Va.
THOMAS C. THACKSTON, Va.
L. O. RIVES, Tenn.
LEROY M. WILSON, Va.
THADDEUS L. H. YOUNG, Va.
A. M.
WILLIAM M. CRENSHAW, Va.
BENJAMIN F. SIMMONS, N. C.
WILLIAM MCK. ROBBINS, N. C.
HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, JR., Va.
EDWARD S. BROWN, Va.
ARMSTREAT E. FOWLKES, Va.
B., Eng. Lit. and Science.
ALEX. HOGG, Va.
J. KIRKPATRICK.
W. H. SHAY.
D. D.
REV. T. B. SARGENT, Balt. Conf.
REV. ALFRED T. MANN, Ga. Conf.
At a called meeting held July 26, 1854, which was well attended, a
further effort was made to secure aid from the Legislature of Virginia.
At this session of the Board the following important action was taken:
Rev. Robert O. Burton offered the following resolutions:
1. That in view of still further elevating the institution and securing
its permanency we will endeavor to increase the endowment to $100,000.
2. That whenever the amount of $100,000 shall have been secured, or the
interest on the endowment fund shall amount to $6,000, this Board will
grant to the ministers of the Virginia and North Carolina Conferences
the right to educate their sons free of tuition fees for thirty years.
3. That one or more agents be appointed to raise the money, and that we
earnestly ask the co-operation of all the ministers of the Virginia and
North Carolina Conferences.
4. That subscriptions of $500 may be paid by the subscribers either
during their natural life or twelve months after death, with interest
from date, to be paid annually.
5. That Rev. H. B. Cowles be appointed agent, and that Dr. William A.
Smith be associated with him.
[Illustration: REV. L. M. LEE, D. D., _Editor: Richmond Christian
Advocate_.]
These resolutions were adopted, and the agents appointed were requested
to make arrangements for the prosecution of the work as soon as
practicable. It could not be done at once, as the Agent elected had to
be assigned to the work by the Conference, which did not meet till
November. So it was arranged that the work should be commenced next
spring.
In the interval Dr. Leroy M. Lee, then editor of the _Richmond Christian
Advocate_, proceeded to write and publish from time to time a series of
articles on "Christian Education"--articles probably not surpassed in
force and pertinence by any ever written on the subject. He kept the
matter of the canvass which was to be inaugurated the coming year before
the Methodist public, and thus effectually paved the way for better
success.
In May, 1855, the agent and president of the College began the active
field work to raise the amount to one hundred thousand dollars at
Crenshaw's Church, on the Nottoway circuit, near Blacks and Whites
station, on the the (then) Southside Railroad. At this church a
mass-meeting was held, lasting several days. There were present, in
addition to the leaders above named, Dr. Leroy M. Lee, editor, who was
much interested in the effort.
Dr. Smith was the chief speaker, and he never appeared to better
advantage, having the sympathy and interest of the audience with him
from the start. Dr. Lee followed him. Agent Cowles struck while the iron
was hot and took the subscription, which, in addition to what was
secured in the circuit in the next few days, amounted to five thousand
dollars. This gave the enterprise a good send-off, and was received and
accepted by the church at large as an augury of final success, which
proved to be true. The agents did not relax their efforts till the limit
was reached.
There were several circumstances which made this effort a success. The
men in charge were the right men. Dr. Smith was a great man before the
people. Few men who lived in the State ever equalled, fewer still ever
surpassed him. His colleague, while not deficient in public speaking (he
was a most excellent preacher), was gifted with good business address
and tact, well versed in reading and managing mankind in general, and
thorough in his business transactions, securing all the benefits which
were possible. Both were largely acquainted throughout the Conference.
The times were propitious. The decade beginning 1851 was the golden era
in the material prosperity of Virginia. The spirit of improvement in
lands, building railroads, and plank roads, and other roads was at its
height. Most of the great lines throughout the State were built during
this decade--the Richmond and Danville, the Southside (Petersburg and
Lynchburg), the Virginia and Tennessee (Lynchburg to Bristol), the
Orange and Alexandria (Lynchburg and Alexandria), and the Roanoke Valley
(Clarksville and Ridgway, N. C.), and others were built or projected.
The last named brought railway communication within twelve miles of the
College, and Keysville, on the Richmond and Danville, was within
thirty-five miles of the College. Besides these improvements, a plank
road was built from Petersburg to Clarksville, which was, as long as it
lasted, a great improvement. Another plank road from Blacks and Whites,
on the Southside Railroad, was built through Lunenburg in the direction
of Boydton, but its terminus was twenty miles short of reaching it.
The Crimean war, involving the great Powers of Europe, raised the price
of wheat to a price seldom, if ever, reached previously. It sold in
1853-'54 for $2.35 per bushel, and good prices were maintained for the
balance of the decade. Lands in the State, which had been low in price,
were increased in value one hundred per cent. and other property in
something like the same ratio. All this made people more ready to
contribute as well as more able.
COLLEGE YEAR 1854-'55.
This College year was marked by no special change or event. The
President's report notes: matriculates in College during the session,
134, 72 of whom were on scholarships.
[Illustration: DAVID R. DUNCAN, _Major C. S. A.; Senator S. C.
Legislature._]
Professor Samuel Lander, A. M., entered upon his duties as Adjunct
Professor of Languages, and W. A. Shepard was Assistant in the
Laboratory.
At the annual meeting, June, 1855, degrees were conferred:
A. B.
GEORGE E. BOOKER, Va.
JAMES B. DUGGER, Va.
WILLIAM N. CARTER, Va.
JOHN E. CHRISTIAN, Va.
THOMAS A. GATCH, Va.
JAMES C. HANES, Va.
PETER A. MOSES, Va.
ROBERT N. SLEDD, Va.
DAVID R. DUNCAN, S. C.
OLIVER G. SMITH, N. C.
A. M.
THOMAS E. MASSIE, Va.
SAMUEL LANDER, N. C.
ROWLAND DOGGETT, Va.
JOHN F. DANCE, Va.
JOHN F. OGBURN, Va.
ROBERT M. MALLORY, Va.
HENRY W. WINGFIELD, Va.
BENJAMIN W. OGBURN, Va.
SAM'L B. PAUL (Honorary) Va.
COLLEGE YEAR 1855-'56.
The celebrated trial of Deems vs. Smith took place at the Virginia
Conference held in Petersburg, November, 1855. The charges were
presented by Dr. C. F. Deems in person, and defence made by Dr. Smith.
The verdict was almost unanimous, finding Dr. Smith not guilty.
The result of this unfortunate affair was the resignation of quite a
number of the Trustees from the North Conference, that Conference having
espoused the cause of Dr. Deems by a very large majority.
At the meeting of the Trustees in June, 1856, Dr. Smith tendered his
resignation as President of the College. The Board refused to accept the
resignation, only two voting to receive it.
This year the first catalogue, as printed, comes to us. Others had been
printed, but no copies preserved.
Of the original charter members of the Board all had died or retired but
John Early, William A. Smith, Mathew M. Dance and John G. Claiborne. All
the original members of the Faculty had resigned. Students in College,
93; in Preparatory School, 36--total, 129.
We have no mention of the several Preparatory schools in North Carolina.
Thos. A. Gatch, A. B., was Principal of the Home School.
[Illustration: W. T. BAILEY, _Killed at Gettysburg; buried on the
field._]
A resolution was adopted by the Board asking the Legislature to
establish a school of "military tactics" in connection with the College,
but nothing ever came of it.
In January, 1856, a most remarkable fall of snow occurred, with a
temperature of ten degrees below zero. The snow was fifteen inches deep.
In June, 1856, the following received degrees:
A. B.