Alfred Stillé

“ Such a case we esteem the present one to be, one in which a charge of dark dishonor has been preferred against the oldest medical school on this side the Atlantic, in the disproval of which, not only the present students in her halls have a deep interest, but every physician throughout the land, who has won his laurels in the race for which her skill equipped him. ”

“ Is it not to search with avidity the rivers that come in torrents from the four corners of the earth, for the golden sands of knowledge? Is it not to be where the great revolutions in the scientific world have carried all who boast another than a spurious fame, a celebrity, and not a notoriety? ”

“ The genius of liberal opinion, which, a few centuries since, was crippled by prejudice, and opposed by ignorance, is now traversing the nations of Europe and our own country with rapidity, shedding an almost dazzling light upon every department of science and of art, and while it adds new conquests to the empire of mind, subdues our ruder feelings to the influence of the heart. ”

“ Differing as a small portion of the class has done from our constituents, as to the "mode" of securing the object in view, it was conceded without a dissenting voice, that Dr. Coxe was "incompetent" to give that degree of information on the important subject of the Materia Medica which we have a right to expect, and which it is his province to communicate. The Faculty should not therefore suppose that as our resolutions are not signed by all the members of the class, those who have not done so design continuing their attendance on the lectures of that chair. ”

“ According to the laws of the University, no Professor can be removed at the same meeting in which his removal is proposed, nor at any other than a stated meeting. The intimation, which the Board of Trustees had given by their vote of the 6th, had met no compliance; the charter of the University prevented the removal of the Professor at the meeting then in session; but one course remained which would evince to all concerned, their final determination, and which was to all intents, except a necessary form, the removal of Dr. Coxe from the chair he occupied ”

“ While then, we re-assert our conviction, that the great drama of the session, was in its main action honourable to intellectual beings, earnestly solicitous for the improvement of their faculties, yet we cannot withhold our most decided reprehension from a scene such as has been described. No terms are too strong to express the indignation which every one should feel when he sees the barrier that protects the aged broken down, and trampled under foot, while licentious youth exults in the devastation. ”

“ But while we admit these things, we must deprecate the attempt to fasten on the class the derelictions of a few, or to stigmatise the events of the winter, with terms scarcely applicable to that under notice. It is from the exuberance of good that evil often springs. The sun which enlightens, cheers, and fructifies the earth, creates also the insects which disturb our rest ”

“ In every class returning to its second course, a large number constantly neglected to attend the lectures of Dr. Coxe, convinced they might with far more advantage employ their time in private study. Every class assembling for the first time, has borne from the remotest sections of the land, the undeviating sentiment of the incompetency of Dr. Coxe. "I attended" says a deponent, "the same lectures in 1823 and '24. The course of instruction was the same as it was this winter. The Professor at that time was highly unpopular, and a great many of the class seldom attended his lectures." ”

“ The arrogance of pedantry can no longer impose the sophisms of subtilty for the demonstrations of reality; every assertion is examined, every argument weighed, every conclusion traced; justice awards the palm where partiality once conferred it, and voluntary falsehood is compelled to seek refuge in obscurity from the retribution of an indignant public. ”

“ What young man would not be irritated at finding the promise of a Professor, voluntarily given, violated without even an apology? That such irritation did arise, and that it hurried a few individuals beyond the line which reason would dictate, is evident. We have no wish to do injustice to any one, and we offer this as a palliation of conduct which we cannot approve. ”

“ That they should be compelled to give audience to instruction their reason could not approve, or that indeed a professor, so far in the rear of the march of science, should assume to lead those whose ambition and earnest desire was to be in the fore front of the expedition in search of truth, was not to be endured with entire resignation. ”

“ There are situations where forbearance becomes a crime, and resistance to authority a virtue. As Americans, they had imbibed with their mother's milk a right to think for themselves, and to express their honest opinions without fear of punishment. They found that no change had taken place in the arrangement or the mode of teaching the Materia Medica ”

“ Further comment, at this stage of the discussion, is considered unnecessary, and we now proceed to the consideration of several propositions, having a general bearing upon the expediency and justice of the course adopted by the class. The first we shall notice is, in regard to the competency of the late Professor. To be competent is to have a fitness for a given purpose, to be duly qualified. What are the qualifications for a lecturer on Materia Medica, in the 36th year of the nineteenth century? ”

“ Every attention that the unremitted industry of the undersigned could give, has been paid to the collection and examination of evidence which they are ready to produce when called upon by a responsible person so to do;—but they do not feel themselves bound, under these circumstances, to give a moment's consideration to the attacks which may flow from the pen of every anonymous, mercenary, or irresponsible scribbler. ”

“ John Redman Coxe, from the chair of Materia Medica, and whereas this communication contains several assertions which we do positively know to be false, and several others which we have good reason to believe to be equally untrue; and whereas, the author of the communication alluded to, by refusing to give up his name to the committee of our fellow students named for the purpose of obtaining it, without his assigning any reason for his refusal, has evinced a consciousness of his having slandered us in advancing statements, which as a man he dares not support, and cannot substantiate ”

“ That man knows but little of human nature, who is ignorant, that the judgments so formed are found with few exceptions to be in accordance with the opinions of the world. But besides, the student has in the present case all the evidence just cited before him, and finding upon comparison with his own observation, however limited, how strictly it tallies, he is forced à priori to conclude, the coincidence is perfect. ”

“ The class have endeavored in the accompanying resolutions to express their sentiments mildly, yet firmly, avoiding even the appearance of dictation, which is as remote from our intention, as it would be discreditable to the body which we have the honour to represent on the present occasion. A large majority having affixed their names to these resolutions, we trust the Faculty will perceive the necessity of immediate and decisive action. ”

“ It was on Tuesday Dec. 2nd, 1834, that a student who is not a private pupil of any one of the professors, who has no personal acquaintance with any individual concerned in the government of the Institution, who, being actuated by his individual dissatisfaction with the lectures of Dr. Coxe, and a belief that a similar sentiment pervaded the class, circulated during the anatomical lecture, (not placarded on the board,) two notices calling a meeting of the class, for that afternoon, relative to Dr. Coxe. ”

“ We stand the historians of truth, rather than the antagonists of error; we claim an elevation superior to that our assailant has chosen to occupy, and we pledge ourselves with the Roman inflexiblity of him who uttered the sentence which heads this address, "to assert no falsehood, and suppress no truth." Every fact hereinafter mentioned we publish only on the authority of direct testimony, and that of a plurality of witnesses ”

“ No subject, in the discussion, or decision of which, essential principles, or the vital interests of any branch of knowledge are concerned, can pass, without exciting interest, before the eyes of the community, and least of all is indifference shown when that sacred principle of honor, the firmest safeguard of all we value, is called in question, or impugned. ”

“ Coxe, after such a scene, could give authority and currency to a paper containing the grossest misrepresentation of this very scene, and that which immediately succeeded? With the latter we have little to do. It concerns more closely the distinguished individual just alluded to; yet, as 'a Physician' accuses him of abetting the actions of the students, and stating what, in our opinion, he never did state, we cannot avoid repelling the imputation of being urged on by him upon this occasion, and affording our testimony to acquit him of the other charge. ”

“ At the same time that he has exposed the recesses of the human heart to no eye but his own, he has gifted man with faculties sufficiently enlarged and powerful, to serve as a defence against the attacks of malice and envy. ”

“ The Medical Faculty must already be aware of the circumstances under which the present movement has been commenced and conducted. For years past the class have with great unanimity expressed their dissatisfaction with the course of lectures on the Materia Medica and Pharmacy, delivered by Professor Coxe. They have appealed to that gentleman in various ways, but without success. ”

“ Which of these characters belongs to the competent Professor of Materia Medica, and which to the Ex-Professor, it needs no skill to determine. Learning, though it be mere antiquarian research, is often pleasing from its quaintness, but we contend, that the only learning fitted for the purpose of instructing others, is that reducible to practical utility. Knowledge then becomes wisdom, from which it but too often differs toto cœlo. ”

“ The class went into Dr. Gibson's room, with the exception of about 15 or 20 persons, who remained on the stairs, for the purpose, as I thought, of seeing what effect the disturbance would have on the Professor, upon his leaving the building. I heard no threats of violence, and I solemnly believe that none would have been offered. I have too high a respect for the gentlemen composing the class to suppose they would have so far forgotten themselves as to have assaulted an aged man ”

“ It is a case too which concerns every parent who looks forward to the day when his son shall become an honor to the science of medicine, which concerns every citizen who has at heart the culture of intellect, and the highest good of his country. ”

“ Wisdom in minds attentive to their own."
When the late Professor was elected to the chair of chemistry in the University, many years since, there was a general disapproval of the selection by the community, and among the students of that period not a dissimilar sentiment. The late Dr. Rush, that bright sun in the system of American science, was influential in procuring the vote in favor of Dr. Coxe, but regretted, to the last moment of his life, the use of his influence for that purpose. What a comment on the assertions of 'a Physician,' "that the question as to Dr. ”

“ That it is our deliberate opinion, that the lectures from the chair of Materia Medica in this University, are eminently deficient in practical information, and are unsuited to the present advanced state of medical science ”

“ Not only so, but he daily compares the lectures of one chair with those of another, and readily discovering where the breach exists in that perfect unity which should belong to one science, he thither directs his dissatisfaction and complaint. Again, we have testimony, that "during the winters of 1826–27–28 and 29, the Professor of Materia Medica, was compelled to ask from the attending students, that they would not interrupt him, that he was addressing medical philosophers, &c." ”

“ The committee have now concluded their whole statement in regard to the facts of the case, as well as of the causes which led to them, and consider that the following inferences may with propriety be drawn:
1st. That the class acted independently of all external influence whatever.
2nd. That the Faculty endeavored to prevent their action, and failing in that, gave it no countenance or encouragement.
3rd. That the statements of 'a Physician,' are, with scarcely a single exception, unfounded in truth. ”

“ If then a case may be produced, in which not only that principle is involved, but in which assaults are directed against the partialities of a body of men, proverbially sensitive in all that regards their privileges, their pursuits, and their early attachments,—from them at least a candid hearing may be anticipated, if not from the world. ”