University of North Carolina (1793-1962). General Faculty
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Monday October 6th. 1856
The Faculty met under a summons from the
President
at 12 o'clock. A.M.
All the members were present.
The
President
stated to the Faculty, that in accordance with the course which he deemed his
duty to pursue, with reference to to the selection of a chaplain, to deliver the
valedictory sermon to the Senior Class at the last commencement, he felt himself
called upon to direct their attention to the publication of Professor
Hedrick
in
the North Carolina Standard of Saturday. Very few remarks in addition to those
submitted to the Senior Class on that occasion, will suffice in relation to the
present subject.
In an institution sustained like this by all denominations and parties, nothing
should be permitted to be done, calculated to disturb the harmonious intercourse
of those who support, and those who direct and govern it. Mr
Hedrick's
testimony, as student and Professor, that he "know of no institution
North or South, from which partisan politics and sectarian religion are so
carefully excluded", will be received with perfect credence by our
graduates, and by all familiar with the state of things among us.
To secure an end so essential to the reputation, prosperity and usefulness of the
University, cautious forbearance has been practised by the Faculty
and enjoined upon the students in relation to these subjects. The sermons,
delivered on the Sabbath in the college chapel, have been confined to an
exhibition of the leading doctrines of Christianity, with respect to which, no
difference of opinion exists among us, and no student during the last twenty
years, has been permitted
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to discuss upon the public
stage, any question of party politics. This course, upon the part of all, has
been regarded as not merely necessary to internal harmony and quiet, in unison
with kind feelings and good taste, but as due to numbers of persons of different
tenets and opinions, who honour us by their attendance upon our public
exercises, and have a right to respectful considerations.
Resolved
1. That the course pursued by Prof
Hedrick
, as set forth in his publications in the
North Carolina Standard of the 4
th inst. is not warranted by
our usages, and that the political opinions expressed are not those entertained
by any other member of this body.
2. That while we feel bound to declare our sentiments freely upon this occasion,
we entertain none other than feelings of personal respect and kindness for the
subject of them, and sincerely regret the indiscretion into which he seems in
this instance to have fallen.
After a brief discussion, the Resolutions were adopted by the following vote:
Nay—Mr
Herrisse
, who said he voted in the negative
"simply on the ground that the Faculty is neither charged with
Black
Republicanism, nor like to be suspected of it."