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

Page 21 text:

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

Page 20 text:

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

Page 22 text:

April 6, l8lO.- Two dollars to be paid to inhabitants of room in which Society has not met this session to defray the expense of wood and candles. june li, l8l0.-In Treasurefs hands, il 3 l9s. December 9, l8l l.-Patrick Roane and Richard Jones appointed to deliver orations on. February 22, in commemoration of the birthday of Gen. George Washington. On Motion, February l4, these orations to be delivered privately. November 6, l8l2.- Committee appointed to endeavor to obtain a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Prince Edward Library Co., and to represent the Union Society in that Board. lShares purchased in l802.l April 5, l8l6.-Union Society holds six shares in Prince Edward Library Co. Com- pany inactive, but not yet dissolved. Society has right to the Library room unless Trustees of the College assert their right. June 20, 1817.-Library rules: No books to be given out except to members of the Society or to shareholders in the Prince Edward Library Co. ujohnsonls Dic- tionary is never to be taken out of the room. August I7, l8l7.-Debate: ls the present form of the government of the United States likely to be permanent? as December l7, l8l9.-Society elects W. H. Pollard to deliver oration at the close of the present session. June 8, l820.-Committee appointed to confer with Committees of the Philanthropic, Philosophical and Theological Societies concerning regulations to be made about the Society Hall to be used in common. Report, june 23. November 24, l820.- The inhabitants of the room usually called the Library room to be allowed S2.00. February l6, l82l.-Debate: Ought the Legislature of Virginia to endow the Uni- versity rather than the Colleges? March 20, l8Zl.-Subscriptions taken for a diplomatic- stamp of Hampden-Sidney College, the prolits of which to be at the disposal of the Society. Stamp ready for delivery, November 9, l82l. june l6, l8Zl.-Committee appointed to confer with a Committee of the Philanthropic Society, in regard to public speaking, July 4th. june 29, l82l.-- Resolved, that the Symphonic Society be permitted to meet in the 'Society I-lall.' lUsecl in common by the several Societies of the College.l December 7, ISZZ.-Memorial to Faculty regarding discriminations-the Philanthropic Society an object of favoritism. a'Questions for debate, lB02-lSl9.-Will the cession of Louisiana be a national advantage? Should all citizens of a Stale be entitled to vote? Should the United States increase her navy? Advisa- bility of matrimony for young ministers and theological students? Wisdom of the War of l8l2, etc. 14