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The Riot in Carlisle− Professor McClintock
It gives us great pleasure to insert the following communications from Carlisle College; because it will put to rest a wicked and slanderous report in reference to Professor McClintock, which has been circulated with great industry through the public press. For ourselves, we have never put the least confidence in the story, for the reason, that we knew the Professor, and were sure he is too good a man to participate in any mobbing affair, whatever temptation might have been presented. He is a minister of the Gospel, too, and highly esteemed in that relation. We are sure he is in earnest as a preacher of peace, and love, and could not be made to believe he had countenanced a riot, or any breach of law. In short, we could not give the least credence to the story, because we knew the Professor. The following contradiction of the slanderous report comes to us with such certification of its genuineness that we pledge ourselves for its authenticity and correctness:
The undersigned, being Southern students of Dickinson College, observe in the Philadelphia “Ledger” of the 8th inst. An account of the late riot in Carlisle, taken from the “Hagerstown News,” which demands a notice. It is there said, 1st. That “numbers of the students of Dickinson College who were from the South, took an active part” “in aid of the owners of the slaves:” 2d. “That one of the students was slightly wounded:” 3d. “That Prof. McClintock, of Dickinson College, was particularly conspicuous in urging the negroes to the attack :” 4th. “That a meeting of the Southern students of the College had been called in reference to Prof. McClintock’s behaviour upon this occasion, and it is supposed that they will demand his removal from the institution or withdraw themselves.” These assertions, we are satisfied, are all false; and whatever made designedly for the purpose of injuring ourselves or Prof. McClintock, they call for a denial.
At the time of the riot (Wednesday Afternoon,) the two literary societies, to which all of the students belong, were in session: and as the excitement was very suddenly raised, and the college is some distance from the court-house, the students generally were not aware that anything of the kind had occurred, until the whole affair was over. If there was any student at all on the ground, none certainly took any part in the matter, nor was any injured.
As to Prof. McClintock’s alleged participation in the transaction, we are not only satisfied from the most responsible testimony that the charge is untrue, but from his long established character we believe him incapable of any such thing. The story did indeed come to us as first so perverted and exaggerated, that, with the natural warmth of Southerners, many of us were excited against him. But after several meetings held for the purpose of considering the matter, in which not only the Southern students, but all the students of the Institution as a body participated, we have become convinced of the falsity of the accusation. The conduct of this gentlemen towards the students has always been of such a nature as to call for our warmest commendation. So far are we from desiring his removal from the Institution, that we thus publicly express our regard for him as a Professor, a gentleman, and a Christian. Moreover, we sincerely hope he may long remain with us as an instructor; for we are fully conscious that his withdrawal from the Institution would be an irreparable loss, both to ourselves and the College.
We regret most unfeignedly this lamentable occurrence; still we consider that the truth of the case demands this action on our part, and we have endavoured to state the whole affair as impartially as possible.
Dickinson College, June 8, 1847.
Signed by students from the following States, viz:
Maryland 57, Virginia 20, District of Columbia 3, Delaware 4, North Carolina 1, South Carolina 1, Mississippi 1, Louisiana 1, Kentucky 2.
Ninety in all, comprising all the Southern students of the college, except 4.
