Kentucky Gazette

For the Kentucky Gazette.

TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WESTERN COUNTRY.

The Students of the Transylvania University in justice to the character of their President, and the institution to which they are attached, have determined to answer the pieces, contained in the Weekly Recorder of the 19th and 26th of February. For this purpose, a Committee from the three regular classes, has been elected, whose intention it is, to give a fair statement of facts, and to avoid the indelicate course pursued by the gentleman who penned the publications, containing the most invective abuse, against our President; and statements, respecting his character, and the situation of the University, which are far from being correct.

Men engaged in public life, should be watched with the most scrutinising attention and particularly, the man, who is engaged in the advancement of the Literature and Morals of our country. The Presidency of an University is a very important office and, the man who is elected to that elevated station, should be possessed of a polished and extensive education, of liberal and generous feelings, as it is his function to advance the youths, entrusted to his care, in the sciences; and to inculcate noble and manly principles in their juvenile breasts.

The Trustees believing Mr. Holly to be possessed of those accomplishments—appointed him to the Presidency of the University. He is as the gentleman observes, public property. But any statements which are made, derogatory to his character, should be fair and correct. That assertions, wholly untrue, have been made, we shall endeavor to evince—To commence with statements contained in the paper of the 19th February: It is declared that in his inaugural address, he asserted what was not true, when he said he had been three times unanimously elected—it is recorded that in 1814, he was duly elected President, and it is the opinion of several of the then acting Trustees that it was unanimous. In 1817 we assert that he was unanimously appointed—having received our information not only from the record, but from many persons whose veracity cannot be questioned.

When the legislature appointed the new board, they deemed it necessary to re-elect him, and he was again unanimously chosen. He was informed that his first election was unanimous; this being the case he was perfectly justifiable in saying he had been thrice unanimously appointed.

Mr. Holly stated that he was received cordially by the clergy of every denomination and that he had publicly declared his sentiments. Viator, on the contrary, asserts that he was not received in the character of a clergyman by any minister in this town (Mr. Rankin excepted,) and that he occupied the pulpits of the other ministers, contrary to the desire of the incumbents.— —It is notorious, throughout Lexington that he was considered by many of the ministers, an orthodox christian—and that those who did not esteem him as such, at least, treated him with cordiality—It is also known that the Episcopal, Baptist and Methodist ministers, were perfectly willing and anxious that he should occupy their pulpits. Viator also declares that Mr. Holly did not proclaim his sentiments—But he has, frequently announced himself a Congregationalist.

The number of students, is indeed, somewhat less than it was last session, and the reason is obvious: The institution has undergone a great revolution, and it cannot be expected to advance with perfect order, the first session or two—persons therefore have kept their sons at home and will wait until sufficient time be allowed for regular arrangements.

Viator must recollect that the effects of the revolution in the college cannot be produced suddenly—that time has not been allowed for making known all over our country, that Transylvania University is now a regularly organized College. Young as it is, we have students from South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois Ter. Mississippi, and from all parts of Kentucky.

Viator is vexed to see the additional expense, caused by those, who, he says, fill the place of Mr. Sharpe. Mr. Roach occupies the station which Mr. Sharp held, and his salary is what Mr. Sharp's was. Messrs. Everett and Walker teach the languages in college and have no very easy task. Mr. Bishop attends to Natural Philosophy and Mathematics, and is fully employed. Mr. Holly Lectures on Rhetoric, Logic and Moral Philosophy, as much as the President of any college does. The avocations of each officer, now, calls forth all his time.—But last session, Mr. Bishop, attended to Natural Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric, Logic, and with the assistance of Mr. Cunningham, to Mathematicks. Mr. Sharpe attended to the languages in all their departments. The good reader will take into consideration, that the studies required for a diploma, are nearly double now, of what they were then, and will dispassionately conclude, whether the increase of profit is not vastly superior to the increase of expenses.

In his number of the 26th February, Viator takes the liberty of doubting the honesty of the motives which induced particular citizens of this town, to exert themselves in favour of Mr. Holly, and accuses some of the former trustees of being enemies to the sacred volume of our Maker, and of despising him who is our first our best friend—through whose medium we hope to be exalted to the realms of eternal happiness. It is unnecessary to answer any remarks made concerning the gentlemen—Suffice it, to say Messrs C. & B. have acquired, by their merit, the confidence of a discerning public—and the other persons alluded to, maintain a respectable standing in society.

That the community may be better acquainted with the situation of the institution, we set before them the following list of students &c. viz: 11 irregular Seniors, 9 regular Juniors, 9 regular Sophomores, 22 Freshmen, and 5 attached to no particular class, and 49 Grammar scholars, in all 105, having increased between 30 and 40 since the commencement of the session, and there are acquisitions nearly every day.

We will remark that the President is universally beloved and that the other members of the faculty are highly esteemed by the students, and we can declare, as having daily opportunities of observing their conduct, that they have never attempted to instil into the minds of the students, any sentiments that are not purely orthodox.

The citizens of Kentucky should consider the matter dispassionately and not be induced by any prejudice that they may entertain against Mr. Holly, to blast the prospects of this, at present promising institution.—But on the contrary every man should foster, with peculiar care and contribute his every effort, to advance to an elevated station the only University in the Western Country. No subject can be half so important—every paternal heart must throb with lively emotions of pleasure at the opportunity offered, of educating his sons, under his own observation and in his own state—in an institution, which is calculated to direct their steps to the temple of science and to advance their progress to the shrine of their God.

NICHOLAS COLEMAN,
CHARLES MOREHEAD,
Juniors.

BENJ. O. PEERS.
GEO. W. ANDERSON,
R. A. CURD,
Sophmores.

CHARLTON HUNT.
JNO. F. ANDERSON,
GEO. G. SKIPWITH,
Freshmen.

M. B. We wish to say nothing more upon this subject, in the public prints—nor will we; but if any statements may be thought incorrect, we stand prepared to substantiate them.

Committee.