Analysis and refutation of the Statements of facts in relation to the expulsion of James C. Cross from Transylvania University --recently published by Dudley, Mitchell & Peter / by James Conquest Cross.

  • Cross, James Conquest.
Date:
1846
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Analysis and refutation of the Statements of facts in relation to the expulsion of James C. Cross from Transylvania University --recently published by Dudley, Mitchell & Peter / by James Conquest Cross. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    racy of parading such notices before the public is obvious, and the impolicy and impropriety ' of it, except under very peculiar circumstan- stances, very great. That these exist on the present occasion, I think the reader will readily admit, and this consideration will, I trust, induce him to regard my conduct with indulgence Perhaps I ought to have felt se- cure in the judgment and decision of those to whom I have given instruction, rather than have given the malicious an excuse to charge me with arrogance or egotism. What Mitchell has said of ray conduct' towards, and feelings for, Dr. Bush, is un- graced by a single sentiment of honor, for it is known to several individuals to be not only gratuitous and unfounded, but maliciously false. On this point, after the production of a single document with an explanation of the circumstances that gave rise to it, I will turn him over to the tender mercies of those whom he has wantonly abused and deceived, or betrayed and slandered. At the time the memorial was circulated in the Class of 1843—44, to which I have already referred at p. 15, 16 of my Appeal, and which had for its object the removal of Dr. Bush, it was stated by those immediately around Drs. Dudley and Bush, that I was the instigator or author of it. This was wholly false, and as I had never made an extemporaneous explanation to the Class without its being misrepresented, I drew up the following paper, to exclude the possi- bility of misconstruction on the subject, and read it to the Class. Previously, in the Fac- ulty-room, 1 had read it to Mitchell. Gentlkmen-: My name has been connected,! und rs and, with a memorial that has heen circu- lated la the Class, in relation to the Adjunct Profes- sor of Anatomy. This I wish to say is wholly unauthorized. Conscious from the peculiar cir- cumstances of my position, that my motives would be, as they have heretofore been, misrepre- sented. 1 must be permitted to assure yon that I am the last man in the Faculty, who would do any thing calculated to disturb the harmony of the Faculty—that of the Class or that would expose my motives to misconstruction. From a proper degree of responsibility, I never will shrink when- ever a proper subject shall be brought before me, in my official capacity, for deliberation, and when I decline action under other circumstances, it is either because I feel no interest in the matter, or because I hold it. to be incompatible with my rela- tions to my colleagues, and the obligations I am under to the Institution in which I am a teacher. visited the Institution, they were detained in the Library and Museum until the clock struck eleven, when they were hurried in to my lecture-room, where they remained until I ami Dr. Birtlett had lectured. T!ie design of this manoeu- vre, the most stupid can understand Indeed, I am convin- ced I had colleagues that no Committee of the Leiisla- ture ever heard give a finjlc lecture, at least, while / ices in the Inpfitution. LxiiNGTOfr, September 13, 184(>. Dr. Cross—Dear Sir: Tn looking over a pam- phlet entitled Statements of Facts, in relation to the expnl-ion of James Conquest Cross from Transylvania University, the joint production of Professors Dudley, Mitchell and Peter, I ask the privilege in your forthcoming publication, to cor- rect some misrepresentations and falsehoods there- in contained. Dr. Mitchell in his statement, says:—As he (Dr. Cross) and his tools have made much ado about Dr. Bush, 1 may say here, that all the difficulty and objection to Dr B , that I ever heard, originated with him, (I r. C.) and those under his influence, &c. Now as it is generally known that I am the author of the articles that ap- peared in the Lexington Inquirer, during the monthsol April and Vay 1844, I feel called on by the base falsehoods of Dr. Mitchell, to state the facts in relation to the origin of the attempt made by me, in 1844, to re-organize the Medical Department of Transylvania University. From the time the School was re organized in 1837,1 took a deep interest in its prosperity. This is well known to many of the Physicians and most respectable citizens of Lexington, as well as to some of the present Professors. Being my Alma Mater, I was particularly desirous that it should not be surpassed in respectability and usefulness, by any School in the great Valley. From year to year, complaints were made that Dr. Bush was incompetent to teach Anatomy, and that I 'r. ' ud- ley for want of time, was unable to give as full a course of instruction on Anatomy and Surgery as was given in the Schools of Medicine at Louisville and Cincinnati. In the spring of 1843, I acci- dentally met with Dr. Mitchell in I r. I arby's olHce, and mentioned to him the complaints that were made against Dr. Bush by the students, and also stated to him that the physicians considered him incompetent, and that the School was suffer- ing much injury from the fact that I r. udley held two professorships. He concurred fully in all 1 had said, and remarked, that the evils com- plained of, ought to be speedily remedied by a re-organization. He spoke so earnestly and sen- sibly on tiie subject of the defects of the Schpol, that I was fully persuaded he was correct, when he asserted that unless they were removed, the School must go down. When I asked him if nothing could be done to avert its threatened ruin. he responded, that he thought not, for I r. Dud- ley was inflexibly resolved to retain possession of two professorships, and that he would not sutler ■ r. Bush to be turned out. The latter, he denoun- ced in a manner that has never yet been presented to the public—he complained of the undue influ- ence that Dr. I udley exercised over the Board of Trustees—said ineffectual efforts had been made by himself and others to induce L r. L udley to agree to a re-organization. Tins conversation with Dr Mitr-hell (and he is the first Professor I ever spoke to in relation to the defects of the School) made a deep impression upon my mind and produced the conviction that a re-organization was absolutely necessary. From a sense of duty to the profession and a desire to protect the interests of Lexington, I determined at once to use every effort to avert the threatened ruin of our School, but soon ascertained that no-