Documenting the American South

Publisher: The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2011

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Chapel Hill April 4th 1845 [1]

Fellow members

I had resolved if ever chosen president of the Dialectic Society, as the least of two evils, [2] not to accept, but the almost unanimous vote, by which I have been elected; and much more the solicitations of many, whom I know to be personal friends, have induced me to undertake the task conferred upon me. My time has been so much occupied, as you all know, since my election, that I feel confident that your good sense and benevolence, will forgive all imperfections in the few remarks I shall make. It has been customary to address you from one or more of the articles in our constitution, by the strict and faithful observance of which, our future welfare may be promoted, and our success increased, and among the first of which in importance, we hold the amendments [3] and resolutions adopted a few weeks since in regard to indulgence and debts due the Society. [4] That it is one of serious and real importance to us, I think the spirit manifested on that occasion, and the ardent and eloquent discussions in favor of and against it, sufficiently show.

Prejudices then existed and now remain against it, but for what earthly reason, I am unable to conceive or even conjecture, for it is not as some think and have

expressed themselves, an act of the majority to oppress the few, but henceforth and forever, to check and restrain the pernicious practice of unlimited indulgence, and to enforce the payment of just and honorable debts by the deserved penal consequences of lasting disgrace & reproach. Some object to it and contend that it is exclusive of every excuse, but they should give it a liberal constuction out of respect to those who adopted it, and presume that they would place nothing in our laws directly contrary to justice and humanity, and we find it has already been so construed. No one who will rise and state his actual inability to discharge his debt, will ever be permitted to suffer discrace; but no excuse will or aught to be taken, when the payment of other debts have been preferred to this, for it is a debt of honor, and from its very nature should first be discharged, [5] all things else to the contrary.

The constitution of the United States, the most perfect model of a form of government ever yet devised by the wisdom, ingenuity and experience of man, has requred from time to time, that amendments shoud be [6] added, whenever a necessity existed for them, or the language of some article, so equivocal as to admit of two constructions, had caused its abuse. It is thus with every constitution ever yet made. Why then should we possessed of so little wisdom and comparatively no experience, be expected to frame a system of rules for our government, so perfect, and in language so plain and explicit, that its intention cannot be perverted?

There is no doubt that the original intention was, that indulgence could be granted for six weeks only, and not for six weeks as a term, which could be repeated successively for an indefinite length of time, and thus enable men to leave, with impunity, their debts unpaid, and we see that this was the custom until within the last five years. Since that time, sad experience has taught us by the losses we have sustained, that it should be marked out with more precision, [7] and clearly defined, and a penalty attached to enforce its fulfilment; for it is not much to lose a diploma, but honor and reputation are matters of great moment, and surely worthy of some risk for their preservation. The present amendment is well adapted to accomplish the end for which it was intended, and as we think, merely another form expressing more clearly the original intention. If then all will act in strict obedience to it, we have no doubt but that it is destined to produce beneficial results to each individual member, and to the Society at large. But those who willingly disobey, will be branded with disgrace and infamy, and reproaches and regret will follow them through life, as the examples of those, who have gone before, have clearly taught us. Reccollect that by conforming to the laws here, you are forming useful habits of obedience, and preparing yourselves to respect the laws of your country hereafter, for, "just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined." [8]

But enough on this subject. Another habit, that has increased to an alarming extent and is the fruitful source of much confusion, is that of continual and

incessant asking to go out. When our Society was first established, no one ever thought of going out unless necessity or comfort required it and never of adjourning until a late hour. But it seems now that an impatience prevails generally to go out and to adjourn, as if the subjects discussed here were of little importance and interest, and unfit for improvement. This is still increasing, but it were useless to multiply words, since all the addresses that ever were written or ever will be, will fail to produce the desired effect, unless we seriously reflect upon the inconvenience caused by it, and resolve to break off, unless it were necessary and absolutely and indispensably necessary, or our comfort materially required us to go out.

It is to be hoped that this reflection will be given it and unless it is good order can never be preserved.

E.L.Dusenbery

Craigsville [9]
N.Ca [10]