Furman University | Text

Final Decision Is Trustees'

An editorial appearing in Furman's student newspaper, The Paladin, dated November 16, 1963. The author is calling for the Furman Board of Trustees to be strong and not bend to the will of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Date

1963-11-16

Source

The Paladin. November 16, 1963. vol 49, issue 6

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Transcription of this Item

Final Decision Is Trustees' -- While the recent negative actions of the South Carolina Baptist Convention towards racial progress were expected, they must be examined in the proper light. The hope for the school's future lies now in the precarious palm of the Board of the Trustees. We can only hope that the conspicuous silence which rendered the Furman administrators mute will not make its second fairy-like appearance when the trustees convene. These men are basically conservative by the standards of other liberal arts colleges where the highest ideals of humanity and growth prevail. We respect the trustees' decisions, even when we do not agree completely with them, for we feel assured that they are capable and sincere people who have the best interests of the school at heart. The trustees have proposed a course which is a part of the very core of Christianity -- the love of a fellow man. It is disheartening to see that the Convention, which elected these few as their, representatives in the school's affairs, cannot accept their decisions with the same maturity and foresight. So the question stares at us: Will the Furman trustees concede their responsibility to themselves and to God bv bending once again to the haughty "request" of an ignorant voting mass? We hope they will finally show their strength and courage to take a firm stand, to resent the intimidation forced upon them and act in the position which they have been given the authority to hold by the same "lobbying" group. Strictly speaking, the power of the Convention is expressed in its vote in the election of the trustees; this vote is saying, "The majority of us have faith in you as an individual and give you the authority to regulate the policy of Furman University." Our faith lies now in the hands of the trustees. May they uphold our faith -- a faith which their electors seem to have conveniently flushed awayl