LOUISIANA STATE SEMINARY, Alexandria, June 16,1860.
Sir: It is proper I
should announce to you my proposed course in relation to the affairs at the
spring. The wasting of water, the ducking the negro, and hiding his buckets,
are small things in themselves, but still if allowed cadets will let who
pleases them take water and no body else. Next with regard to stable, houses,
wood, and all other Seminary property. Obstructing the servant was a
“violence;" the perpetrators should be punished, but the cadets think it
is mean to tell on each other.
Two are dismissed
not for that act simply, but because they are in all scrapes and don't tell the
truth. I have come to a new set who won't tell because it is thought mean to tell
on one another. Campbell and Ringgold now are willing to tell, but I don't want
the facts from them, but first from Stafford, next from Hillan and so on in
order. Stafford admits he was there, knows all about it but won't tell. He is
in arrest. There are no disputed facts, but simply our wheels are locked, he
will not tell. I have again and again explained to him the inevitable
consequence but he goes farther and says even if his father advise to the
contrary he will not tell. Unless you order otherwise after giving his father
full notice he too must go. I have given Hillan notice that unless Stafford
tell, he must, that I must know the truth be it better or worse than I
conceive, and that the perpetrators must bear that measure of punishment they
deserve for obstructing the operations of the Mess Hall, and for disobedience
of orders, in not answering pertinent questions.
My orders on the 6th
of June published on parade and well discussed in the “Mose Chicken Case"
were in these words: “The superintendent will call on no cadet to expose the
little peccadillos of his fellow, but when these peccadillos amount to
violence, breaking the laws of the state, and insults to superiors, the case is
different and it should be the pride of every cadet to help and check these
things, for they aim at a destruction of the institution itself. There is a
wide difference in the two classes of cases. Older and better informed are now
cautioned against being drawn into the custom of concealing real wrongs and
outrages, because it looks like ‘tattling.’ Mischievous cadets will try to
establish this rule, because it will shelter them in their mischief.”
The rule is now
established, and the question arises shall it be the rule of this honorable
institution that cadets may steal and rob, and plunder, trespass on the
premises of neighbors, combined in all sorts of outrages called by them
mischief, and when we trace it to the very lookers on, they can answer — we saw
it, but we did it not ourselves and are restrained by a sense of honor from
tattling on our fellows. In the case in hand Ringgold and Campbell did it not —
of course — Stafford and Hillan, very intelligent clever boys — yea more, saw
it all, admit it, but no! the cadets think it wrong to tell on one another.
Now I conceive I am
armed with full power to do right. This is a state institution, we must be
above wrong. The truly penitent shall never appeal to me in vain, but hypocrisy
and falsehood shall, when I can, be spotted and blotted out. Ringgold and
Campbell are dismissed. Stafford must follow or tell. Same of Hillan, and same
of all who were there. We have a right to know the truth and must have it. 'Tis
useless longer to postpone this issue. Have I your personal and official
sanction?
P.S. All the circulars
issued to appointees.
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