Boston, January 2, 1860.
My Dear Henry,
. . . Robert has had some trouble of
late in arresting the foolish attempt of the Southern students to withdraw from
Philadelphia. Through his exertions the University class lost only some
fifteen, and those of the most worthless sort, but one hundred and fifty of the
class at the Jefferson school went off in a body to Richmond. It seems that the
movement was in part instigated by some of the professors in Richmond and other
Southern cities, and, worse still, the foolish young men were received with
rejoicings and a speech of congratulation from Governor Wise!!
No Speaker has yet been elected in Congress, but there is
little doubt that the Republican candidate will be chosen. Nor do I think the
Southern members, with all their threats of secession and resistance, will
attempt anything of the kind. After blowing off their superfluous steam, they
will subside into more rational speech and action. It is, however, clear that
the conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery is henceforth to be perpetual
until freedom has triumphed throughout all the States. Little as I can
sympathize in John Brown's insurrectionary projects, I believe that the panic
will bear good fruit by and by in hastening the legislation which was once in
Virginia so near arranging a plan of prospective emancipation. . . .
I have been reading the early chapters of Darwin's book with
great interest. . . .
I send you the proceedings of the Natural History Society,
containing some little matters of mine which may be interesting. What I say in
regard to the Vespertine and Umbral rocks of the Provinces, etc., is intended
to show that we long ago recognized these two divisions as important in North
American geology, although they are only now becoming recognized by Logan and
Dawson. You will see also a short notice of my discovery of a Lingula in
the slates of St. John, where no fossils had previously been found.
A Memorial prepared by me in behalf of the Natural History,
Horticultural and other societies will be presented to the Legislature erelong,
and it is thought the grant of land on the Back Bay will be made for their
benefit. My Memorial has been highly approved.
. . . The more I look into Darwin's argument the more I like
it, save in the one particular of ignoring entirely violent and sudden physical
changes. The calmness and truth-loving spirit of the book are truly admirable.
Much of it I know you will approve.
SOURCE: Emma
Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of
William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 18-9
