During the summer of 1852, things were buzzing at the
National level. Each of the three
major political parties at the time were holding their National Conventions to
select a Presidential candidate and each of them felt it necessary to take a
stand on the question of the "finality of the Compromise of 1850." The Democrats were the first to raise it as a test question when they met
in Baltimore on June 1. Two weeks after the Democrats embraced the Compromise of
1850, the Whigs decided to follow suit, hoping beyond hope that their candidate,
old General "Fuss and Feathers" (Winfield Scott) would win a
popularity contest rather than a campaign based on differing party planks. It was left to the disintegrating Free-Soil Party, groping for any issue
to set them apart from the other political forces, to condemn slavery and
the Compromise of 1850.
It was a tough issue in a tough campaign. So tough that when
Wesleyan University's Philorhetorian Society debated the question on June 15th, the "question [was] decided
by not deciding it."
Before the end of his college term,
James Griffing's name appeared one final time in the minutes of the Missionary Lyceum. In character, the June 14th minutes show that "A motion was made by
Mr. Griffen [Griffing], & after some remarks carried, "That the members of the Society unite with the Ladies of the Faculty in
making arrangements for a Missionary festival, to be held three weeks & 4
days hence in this hall." The
Society, after making a few suggestions, concluded to leave the business of
selecting & inviting speakers for the occasion with the business
committee."
By the first of July, the Seniors in the graduating class
were nearing the completion of their college courses. As was customary at the University, the Seniors were given
their final examinations three weeks before the other students, four weeks
before Commencement, "by a Committee, in connection with the Faculty." In
the flurry of this activity, James sat down to write his good friend Augusta a
letter:
Middletown, [Connecticut]
July 1, 1852
Dearest
Augusta,
We are right
amidst the hurly burly, the long lessons hasty reviews, and continual excitement
that always precede a public examination. And I suppose by next Thursday or
Friday night we shall be able to determine exactly whether we shall, as a class
or individuals, be recommended to take our papers and abscond; or to speak more
scientifically, pick up our “deeds” and vanish. And you may rest assured
that as the hour of our departure hastens, feelings peculiarly solemn and
stirring at times occupy our minds. We have become linked to each other by ties
that cannot be sundered without deeply agitating the fountains within and
producing a grief that fast flowing tears in vain will try to alleviate. After
all, I suppose that many are sighing to be out amidst the throbbing of the busy
crowd, acting out the part assigned them in this great drama of active life. But
amidst all think not that this or at any time any apparent delay would argue
that I am forgetting you. Never. Whatever the future may decide with
regard to us, think not that my change of season or place will make any change
in my mind. Yet after all I think I am too much disposed to look upon the dark
and gloomy side of things, to magnify every little circumstance, and surround it
with all the unfavorable omens that the imagination can suggest and write bitter
things against myself. I am almost led to feel at times as though my life had
been a complete failure, as though something was continually occurring to
frustrate almost every plan and crowd my existence with fond anticipations
unrealized. Sometimes I have been so foolish as to wish that I had come into
being the heir of fortune and that I had been a subject upon which she would
delight to lavish her choicest favors. Yet a sober second thought teaches that
the tendency would only have been with my present passions and inclinations to
have embittered the ingredients that go to fill the cup of my future love.
It’s all wrong. High heaven knows best the discipline this life needs to
enable it best to fill out the object of the great designer, and accomplish all
those purposes intended to enhance its present as well as future happiness.
Saturday noon.
Well here I have allowed this to remain until this hour for want of time and
soon I am to meet at a student’s room to review some lessons. Consequently
what I do must be done quickly. I received a letter from [my] Brother Daniel
yesterday stating that his health was good but that the times were very dull
there [in Baltimore]. Also, a day or two [earlier, I received] a good long
letter from [my brother] Osmyn. No very especial news was recorded. He is to
work this summer in Owego [New York] in a planning machine near the depot. He
likes it much better than working on a farm. [He] boards at Mr. S. Mosher’s.
Says there are about fifty at work in the same building – among them James
Wheat, Norman Warring, Almerius Warring, and several others with whom he has
been long acquainted. Says that A. Warring and lady have moved in that small
house near the Methodist Church. Hannah Hall boards with them and works for Mr.
Ellis at her trade. Deacon Beecher & wife have moved up to Newark [New York]
and [are] living with Jason Phelps, their son-in-law, and Polly has gone up to
Greene [New York] to live with her sister. Miss Burlingame says that there are a
number of cases of the whooping cough in our neighborhood and that little Mary
Permelia is quite sick with it. Dear little puny thing. I do hope it may handle
her lightly. [My] sister Mary has about thirty scholars and I rather guess she
gets along very well for [Osmyn] says she likes it very much. Says that Sister
Permelia and husband [Asa Brooks] were at home a few days ago and were in the
enjoyment of good health, which I was very glad to hear as sister had a dry and
apparently consumptive cough the last time I saw her and I was almost afraid she
would be early borne away by that lingering yet sure disease. Yet there was one
thing in the letter that seemed the best of all, which I give you in [Osmyn’s]
own words, “ I like it here very much where I can attend prayer meeting twice
or three times a week. That is something for which formerly I should not have had
much relish. Now I like to meet in the house of prayer. I have promised to spend
my remaining days more usefully, and am determined – assisted by the grace of
God – to live a Christian life. I think I enjoy religion.”
[My brother
Osmyn also] says Mr. Avery’s house took fire and burnt last week. He said he
had received a letter from [my brother-in-law] Rev. Giddings last week stating
that his family was well and that the fever, which had been raging there to such
an alarming extent, had about subsided.
Well what is
the news in Hartford? Are you enjoying yourself as well as ever?
I had the
pleasure of reading the “Wide, Wide World” last week, but did not like it as
well as I was expecting to. It was far too verbose and after all, the story
seemed to be left uncompleted. The characters were well represented. [As to] the
heroine [Ellen Montgomery] of the story – precious girl – I was glad to see her succeed so well
in overcoming her violent temper and becoming so very amiable and lovely amidst
all the opposing circumstances. This led me to appreciate very highly her
inestimable, auxiliary -- the beloved Miss Alice Humphreys. I could not help but
like her disposition and sympathetic heart. She often reminded me of your Aunt
Mary – more specifically as her lovely form began to present the certain
predictions of her departure [from this earth]. Of John [Humphreys], I cannot speak in too high terms. His
equals are rare. Yet the whole story seemed incomplete. Several characters in
whom I became considerably interested were left unfinished.
An
engraving from the book, Wide, Wide World
Young Ellen Montgomery kneeling at Alice Humphreys' deathbed
What are they
expecting to do in Hartford on the fourth [of July]? I suppose many will go on
that pleasure excursion to New London. I saw my friend Mr. [Octavius] Perinchief a few days
ago. It seems that your predictions with regard to him were not exact for he
spake of spending an hour or two very pleasantly indeed at a place in the city
where he had called before. He thinks of going soon to his far off home in the
British West Indies to see those from whom he has been separated for a long
time.
Well said, my
chum [Gorham Walton] has just come in with a new white hat on and if he had had on a white
cravat, I am sure I should have mistaken him for some Domini. Good fellow. I
shall be obliged to part with him soon, perhaps no more to meet until “In that
bright world above where parting is unknown.”
Next
week Friday evening we are to have a great Missionary festival at our Missionary
Lyceum room. Distinguished speakers are expected to address us, after which we
have refreshments. We are expecting a good time as it is the eve of the close of
our Examination. I hardly think now that I shall go home during the vacation, as
I shall be obliged to be here at commencement. I have not as yet determined with
certainty where I shall engage in teaching and if I could engage in any employ
that would be better for my physical system than that, I think I should engage
in it if I could do equally as well. Please write soon as you receive this and
let me know if I may look for you here at commencement so that I may be more
successful in finding you than before. I am expecting [Charles T.] Ransom’s friends here
and should be truly happy to see yourself, if convenient. Remember it’s the
1st Wednesday in August. My kind regards to all enquirers. Truly yours ever, --
James
As for his senior examinations, James was confident of his ability and certain
of the outcome. But as for his future, well, he was deeply in debt and knew he would need
help in securing a good job. With
hat in hand, he went to see his good friend and teacher, John Johnston, the
Acting President of Wesleyan University, to ask for a letter of recommendation. Without hesitation, the old man dipped his pen, looked at
James, and then wrote:
Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Conn.
July 17, 1852.
This certifies that the bearer Mr. James S. Griffing, a member of the
class about to graduate from this institution, is a young man of irreproachable
name and christian character, and good attainment as a scholar. I cheerfully recommend him to the entire confidence of any and all with
whom his lot may be cast.
John Johnston, Acting
President.
Engraving
of John Johnston, ca 1850
Wesleyan University, Special Collections & Archives
Two weeks before the Wesleyan University Commencement
exercises were scheduled to be held, Augusta wrote one final letter to James at
Middletown:
Hartford [Connecticut]
July 21, 1852
My dear friend James,
I intended to write you tonight but it is now nine o'clock and I rather
think I shall not get very far. A Miss Stanley came in after tea and we both
called on a new neighbor, and all together the time has passed. So the days,
weeks, months & years slip by. And so very fast that I can hardly realize
it. Nearly one year has gone [by] since I came here and [during] that time there
have been many sad changes... A week ago, I received a letter from home saying
that my sister Rachel was very sick with inflammation of the lungs and bowels. I
heard again [from home] last Saturday and then she was able to sit up an hour,
but had a very bad cough and other symptoms not very favorable. I expect to hear
again this week, and feel very anxious to hear often. She and Mary have walked
to the [Owego] Academy all summer which has been most too much for her, I think.
Besides, she attended three picnics within a short time just before she was
taken sick. She was taken [sick] in school and, with Mary, started for home. But
she could not get no further than John Searles' "Tioga House" where
she was very sick and could not be taken home for days. But I hope she will
recover from this and have better health than before...
The stock holders & guests invited, [Mr.
Searles] had a dinner at the new [Tioga House] Hotel & presented Mrs. Lyman
Truman a silver pitcher.
I think that is all the important news from home. [My sister] Sarah was quite disappointed because I
wrote that I should not go home this summer unless sickness called me. She had
[counted] on my going very much. "When shall you go and how long shall you
stay? [she asked]. I think if I do
not go home, that I shall send Sarah a daguerreotype, as they have none of me
and that will be better than nothing I suppose. I received a circular from you a
few days ago.
Thursday morning. Oh, how warm
it is this morning. I feel as if I could sleep 24 hours without even wanting to
open my eyes. But I must try and shake off these feelings or I shall fall asleep
while writing. I would so enjoy the warm weather if it were not for the languid
feelings it always gives me.
Two weeks from yesterday will be [your]
commencement. I suppose you are all anticipating a great deal on that day. What
part do you take? I have thought some of going down but have about given up the
idea. Still, it is not impossible. Uncle
[Elizur] asked me the other day if I wanted to go down there and said perhaps he
would go. But he will be obliged to go in another direction, I think, so that he
will be gone from home -- and I would not like to leave too. And I rather think
you would not care a very great deal about it either. But I would really like to
go, and if Eunice Kellum was there, or anyone that I knew, that could meet me --
and if I could go down in time in the [railroad] cars in the morning and return
that night, I would go I think. But all will be right.
Cousin Maria has been upon a visit since I
wrote [last] and went home Friday before the 4th of July. While she was here,
Dr. Cheever lectured before the young ladies of Miss Strong's Seminary in the
Centre Church which was crowded the next afternoon. Miss Draper's [Seminary
closed with] examinations held in the Chapel of Christ's Church. Both were quite
interesting and well filled, most too much so for comfort.
They
had an oration, picnic, & fire works in Glastonbury [on] the fifth of July,
but I did not go down. Here, there was a circus for the first time for years --
some of the effects of the democratic nomination -- but it pleases some. Very
soon, they think there will be a theatre established. Since that time, another
has been here and some parents have great trouble with their children about
going [to the theatre].
...Miss Sarah Wright, I believe, has gone to
Kensington on a visit -- her Aunt continues about the same. I spent the
afternoon with Miss Webb Tuesday. We rode about an hour or two making calls. One
was at Mr. [Isaac] Bird's opposite the cemetery... Mrs.
[Sarah Beach] Knapp is still in Hartford [visiting her relatives], but
returns before long [to her husband]. It has been so dry that our violets do not look well. But
we have put some on Aunt Mary's grave which appear to be doing well. Freddy
[Goodrich] is still in Portland [Connecticut] but will come back next week.
Jamie [Goodrich], little rogue, is well and happy. The rest of us are
well. Shall not I see you before you go home? Please write when you are going,
&c &c. If I do not go down [for your commencement], please send or bring
me the order of the exercises, will you?
Write soon, yours truly,
-- J. Augusta
In the two weeks prior to commencement, James worked
feverishly on his speech. It was
customary for every graduate to culminate their four years of college by
delivering an oration on some lofty subject that would demonstrate their
acquired intellectual powers. The
speech that he prepared, entitled "The Moulding Process" is the
epitome of the popular classical oration in mid-nineteenth century America.
And just as his professors would have preferred, the speech he created
was genuinely original. Striking a
blow for individuality, he carefully worked, and reworked his message to warn
against the persecution of non-conformers. In animated delivery, it would have taken James about twenty minutes to
make the speech. Delivered in the
morning of an all-day affair on August 4, 1852, the essence of his commencement
speech is captured in the following passage:
[By the "moulding process",]...We
would speak not of those material processes by which external objects are made a
facsimile of some original model nor of that saving process by which the soul of
man...is fashioned after the image of its great Architect. But rather of those
mental processes which would mold the mind into the opinions of the crowd that
it may think with the crowd, that would fashion the soul to suit the laws rather
than adapt the laws to the expanding nature of the soul, that would compel men
to part with their individuality, serve their country by acts which in the light
of their own conscience are not only self debasing, but justly Heaven provoking.
This is a policy not only loudly and earnestly proclaimed by deeply venerated
statesmen, but the sentiment has been caught up by voices claiming a higher than
earthly authority, poured into the ears of the impulsive multitude and adopted
by most as the basis for their future action. Yet for all this, we believe that
is a sentiment subversive to every feature of national or individual prosperity,
and if persisted in and carried out, must eventually sap the foundations of any
government and strike it from among the nations of the earth...
Footnotes:
