Returning to Wesleyan University in March, 1852, James' name first appears in the minutes of the
Philorhetorian Society during the spring term on March 16, 1852, just four
days before Harriet Beecher Stowe released her book, Uncle Tom's Cabin. At this meeting, he was appointed to the "Committee on
Business" along with two others. On
April 13, James was appointed to fill the vacancy of one of the disputants and
to discuss the question, "Will the world's progress be as rapid in the
latter half of the 19th century as it has been in the former?" The minutes don't record which side of the question James argued, but it
should surprise no one that the question was decided in the affirmative. Shortly after the debate that evening, a special election was
held to replace the President of the Philorhetorian Society and James was
selected to fill the chair.
Although James would only be the President of the
Philorhetorian Society until the summer term, he took his responsibility
seriously and was determined to lead them in lively debate.
For the first meeting that he would chair, he chose the highly
controversial question, "Whom shall we have for president of the United
States in 1853?" Cracking his
gavel at the appointed hour on April 20, 1852, he called the meeting to order
and C. Huffaker, the Recording Secretary, began to take notes:
Philorhetorian
Hall 20th April 1852. The
President called the society to order at the usual hour. The roll was called.
The essayists being unprepared were deferred one week. The president appointed the following gentlemen to fill the
places of absent disputants; Dusinberre, Conrad & Van Petten. Mr. Walton
advocated the claims of Uncle Sam to the Presidency.
Mr. Conrad, the claims of Mr.
[John] Reynolds
Mr. Dusinberre, the claims of Brother Jonathan
Mr. Van Petten, the claims of [William] Seward
As volunteers:
Mr. Tabor, the claims of Daniel
Webster
Mr. Gardner, the claims of Sam Houston
Mr. Riddleburger, the claims of Fred[erick]
Douglas
Mr. W.F. Warren, the claims of himself
Mr. Reynolds, the claims of Daniel Webster
The
discussion was protracted, but interesting. The president gave his decision in
favor of Daniel Webster. The records of preceding meeting were then read and
adopted.
...Appointments
for two weeks
C.D. Foss, Garner, Griffing -- Essayists
Chester, Dusinberre, Harrington, Oakley -- disputants
Question for one week, "Have the recent acts of L. Napoleon been beneficial
to the French Nation?
Griffing, President, C.C.
Huffaker, Secretary
Near the close of the spring term at Wesleyan University,
Augusta wrote to James with news from Owego:
Hartford [Connecticut]
April 24,1852
My dear James,
You must not think I have forgotten to write, for it is not so. But I
have delayed writing day after day for nearly two weeks expecting a letter from
home all that time. But this morning I came to the conclusion that I would wait
no longer and, as I was to be at home this evening, thought I would write to
send [in the mail] Monday. When Uncle [Elizur] came to tea [this afternoon], he
brought a letter from home "long looked for [and] come at last." They
write that the small pox is in the village [of Owego] and has caused some alarm.
Two have died with it and others were sick. And on that account, the [Owego]
Academy will not commence [classes] until the 5th of May. My sisters Rachel and
Mary are expected to go there this summer.
Mr. John
Searls is landlord of the "Tioga
House" - (Elizabeth Goodrich's husband), but she does not like it very
well. It will be very convenient. Hannah Hall has returned, but did not know how
long she will stay. I hope I shall see her. Have you heard anything about her
coming home? They have received a letter from Uncle [Samuel] Rockwood within a short
time. His father and son were with him then but both had spent the winter more
than a hundred miles from him at his brothers so that he has been lonely. He was
well and I believe likes it [where he lives]. Pa had been sick but was better so
that he could be about.
Your sister Mary, they wrote, is to teach in
their district where Miss Cluchester has taught, so she will be near home. They
have sent me the paper published by the scholars at the [Owego] Academy; one
piece by [my brother] Ralph [was] in it. I have kept it and an Owego paper for you to look at when you
come. Mr. [Newell]
Matson soon expects to be
here -- the first of June -- and perhaps I may see him [and learn more news from
Owego].
Uncle [Elizur] is going to New York [City]
again next week for a few days and Aunt Lydia expects to go to Glastonbury to be
gone several weeks. And we talk of
going to Owego in the summer -- that is, Aunt Lydia, Jamie, and myself.
I have not been to Glastonbury yet and do not know when I can go to stay.
Cousin Maria Hollister was here last Saturday for a little while and she has
promised to come and make us a visit while Aunt Lydia is gone.
I have not seen Hancie [Abbey] since the fire. There are many strange
stories flying around, but do not believe them.
It is best not to believe much that is reported in such a way, but I am
afraid that Hancie has been deceived and that her husband is not as he professed
to be.
I suppose you are where you have a fine view
of the rushing waters, are you not? They
say the [Connecticut] river is very high... For a day or two it has commenced
looking like spring. But we have as yet done nothing in the yard or house for
spring. I do not know when we have had so backward a spring. We have had violets
blossoming all winter under the snow. They were sowed by Aunt Mary and she
thought a great deal of them. They looked beautifully when she died and are to
be put on her grave. I want to go
up there [to the cemetery] when you come. She left us nearly five months ago.
It does not seem half so long since I looked for the last time on her sweet
countenance. But we trust and hope she is in Heaven, waiting for us to follow.
Oh that we might so live as we shall wish we had when we come to die! Then, how
trifling will our greatest trials that we now have appear. Oh that we might rise
above the world with all its every day trials and vexations, think them of no
importance, and live near to Christ and walk by faith, not by sight. It would
indeed be Heaven begun on earth.
I was very glad you found Miss [Eunice] Kellum.
I had thought of sending a note to her by you before I did, but was afraid you
would not care about it, and so have not done it. You had better not give her
the description of yourself that you gave me as it would not suit very well, for she has been called very pretty. Beautiful
teeth she certainly has
& her eyes have received compliments [also]. As for that letter, I rather
think it was too "sober" for her, not all nonsense, but I certainly
did not think she would make such a remark. I have forgotten the contents, but
know I referred to Aunt Mary's death and also Eunice's sister Lucy, whom I
presume you have heard me speak of, a fine girl, who died very suddenly although
sick for some time. Eunice is rather more rude than I am and perhaps did not
relish my remarks.
Uncle
[Elizur]
has come from the store and, as it is late, I will say goodnight.
Monday -- I intended to send this by Uncle
this morning but did not. And since [I last wrote, I] have received a letter
from [my cousin] Ruth & [her husband] Charles [Woodward]. Ruth commenced hers the last day of
January but only wrote
a page or so. It was finished by Charles the 21 & 22nd of April. Ruth has a
young child and is very ill -- Charles wrote Tuesday that he found Ruth's letter
and thought he would send [it] as there was little hope of her finishing it. But
the next day wrote [that] the doctors there thought her better and that she
thought she should get well. I shall feel very anxious to hear again. Can it be
that she is going too? And shall I not see her again? Mrs. Woodward, Aunt Alice
[Stratton] & [cousin] Nancie were all there so she must be very sick.
How is Miss Eunice [Kellum]? I
have not heard from her. I shall expect to see you before long, but goodbye for
the present.
Yours, -- Augusta
Footnotes
Brother
Jonathan, as drawn by Political cartoonist Thomas Nast