Hampden Sydney College - Kaleidoscope Yearbook (Hampden Sydney, VA)

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Svnrivig Eife in Anrivut Zifinwa Hiring Biurrs Zliartii frnnt Ihr Etrrnrhs. QT! Q HE items given here are of great interest. The fact is established that the Union Society had not much tenure of life before ISOO. The ques- Q E tions for debate before the Societies show pretty well the changes the L country went through from l789 to IS65. It is well to know that the P5 Societies were once of such paramount importance, and that they met at N2 M9 iipsr one time in the morning. It is edifying, indeed, to reflect that the Societies 'S EEE 1' were at one time spelled in one form-that is to say, the members were required to attempt to spell-and that now and then members were disciplined for un- seemly behavior in church. The items regarding the public celebrations of these honorable bodies should be carefully studied: it is from such manifestations as these that the historian learns the bases of diplomacy and what Liberty really is. It is a question whether it would have been for the best if, as early as 1813, the Societies had consolidated their libraries with the college library. At commencements there was xocal music in I837.1 UNION SOCIETY September 22, l789.-David Wiley, President, lames Cockie, Vice-President: William Williamson, Corrector: James Jones, Clerk: Edward Henry, John A. Morton, Henry A. Watkins, William Watkins, Edward Ward Cwfreasurerj, Blake B. Woodson. September l0, l790.-A'Next exercises to be speaking orations intended for the exhibition. April 26, l79l.-Diplomas issued to John A. Morton, William Williamson, Thomas Poage. David Smith, and john Campbell. September I6, l79l.-Diplomas to John M. Wilson, Andrew Brown, Cieorge Bibb, William Watkins, James Jones, and Moses Waddel. September 21, to Samuel K. Jennings. September 21, l79l.-As the members of this Society are to be addressed on the day of the public exhibition now approaching, in a separate manner, they are to appear in the College Hall distinguished with the badge of a blue ribbon tied around the left arm between the wrist and elbow. December I6, l79l.-s'Whether is spirits or tobacco most beneficial in the effects on the human body? -Debate. Decision for spirits. January 6, l792.- Whether has the importation of negroes into America been hitherto advantageous or disadvantageousP -Debate. Decision for disadvantageous. 12

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1807 1820 1821 1827 1828 1830 1843 1844 1845 1850. 1852 1867 1873. William L. Venable, appointed a Trustee. Richard N. Venable of Committee to draw up and cause to be published a statement of the condition-wants-designs-prospects and public utility ol this Institution. Minutes of the Board of Trustees, on the death of Col. Samuel W. Venablez Hampden-Sidney College has lost one of her firmest supporters, and her Board of Trustees one of its most efficient members. Nathaniel E.. Venable, appointed a Trustee, Richard N. Venable of Committee to prepare a history of the College. Richard N. Venable of Committee to inquire into and report the practicability of purchasing the buildings of the Union Theological Seminary. Charles S. Venable, appointed a member of the Faculty of the College. Nathaniel A. Venable, appointed a Trustee. Mr. N. E. Venable reported that John Lee, LL.D., of Hartwell flfnglandl. had presented to the College a medallion bust of John Hampden, also a marble copy of a monument erected in Chalgrove Field in June, 1843. Professor Charles S. Venable of Committee to draw off a perfect list of the honorary and regular members of the Philanthropic Society. llVlinutes of the Society.l Leave of absence for eighteen months granted to Professor Venable to visit and improve himself at the universities of Europe. Samuel W. Venable, elected a Trustee. Samuel W. Venable of Committee on the endowment fund of SZOQOOO. lrlihese facts, chosen almost at random from the Calendar of Board .Minutes ar very good evidence of what men of the name of Venable were to Hampden-Sidney College during the first century of its career. To enable the College to enter upon the century beginning with the year 1900, Major Richard M. Venable, of Baltimore fa great- grandson of Nathaniel Venable. See Feb. 1. 17753, presented to the Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sidney College a great part of its plant as now existent. Major Venable was a benefactor of the College in other ways. Dr. Bagby, in his sketch published in the KALEIDOSCOPE for 191 1, remarks: ln wiew of the number and variety of his gifts, of their aggregate amount, and of the varied and widely different uses that they subserve, it must be held that Major Venable was the most sympathetic and far-sighted of the friends of Hampden-Sidney College, and the largest contributor to its development in its life of 135 years. l 11

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july IZ, I793.-Debate: Emancipation voted unwise without preparation for good citizenship. September 27, l 793.- It appearing that the Society would not continue longer, the mem- bers resolved that the money delivered to the Treasurer should be equally reim- bursed. A january 3, l794.- The members of the Union Society being desirous to continue it, met this evening for the purpose. Present: David Sims, John T. Henry, George Calhoun, Nathaniel Venable, and Thomas A. Morton. july 3, l795.-uThe Union Society having been for some time discontinued, occasioned by the low state of the College, Mr. Thomas A. Morton and Mr. George Cal- houn, the only remaining members, met this evening-U August 22, l795.-Debate: Universal emancipation voted not practicable. january 29, l796.-Item: Thomas Williamson's plan for emancipation to be seen among the papers of the Society. November, ISOO.-Reorganization of the Union Society. lList of members for l800-Ol appearing after Minutes for june l7, 1796. More than thirty members.l January l0, l80l.-Debate on the question whether a consolidation of government is better than the present system. February 28, IBOI .-John H. Rice admitted member. July l7, l80l .-Subscriptions taken for the American edition of the Encyclopaedia. September l9, ISOI.- President to request permission of the Trustees to keep the Library in a part of the room appropriated to the Library of the College. Granted September 26, I80l. January 24, l802.-Society uspelled in one form. ISOZ.-Constitution and laws: 'Meetings every other Friday at 6 P. M. Diplomas issued to bachelors and certificates to others--virtue and morality to be cultivated -badges of the uribbonedn to be worn on left arm on public occasions-speaking within the Society, in celebration of the Fourth of July. February 6, ISOZ.-Subject for debate: Ought our slaves now to be emancipated? ISUZ.-Censure for non-attendance at worship even when it is held in College Hall. lp. 26.1 -Censure on conduct of members in dining room when teachers are absent. lp. 29.1 -Reprimand for disturbance at Buffalo Church. lp. 35.1 Friday, June 7, l805.-Wm. S. Morton appointed to represent the Society on the Fourth of july. July 26, l805.- On account of the disturbance in College, meeting adjourned. january, l808.-Debate: Would it be good policy to divide the United States into two or more separate governments? February, ISOS.-Inhabitants of the room in which Society meets reimbursed for fuel and light. 13