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In the fall of 1869, a young Black man entered
Iowa Wesleyan University with the freshman class. A brief notice in the
Friday, October 8, 1869, edition of "The Mount Pleasant Journal,"
announced his admission:
One of the best scholars in the Freshman class,
of our College, is a colored boy, who was a slave five years ago.
Democrats, prepare to howl.
In reply to this article, on Wednesday, October
13, 1869, "The Henry County Press" published the following
response from a student who signed off as, FRESHMAN:
EDITOR PRESS: - Noticing an
article in the Journal of last week, advancing the idea that "one
of the smartest students in the Freshman class is a Negro," and
considering it the grossest injustice to the laudable merits of that
class, we deem a plain statement of the facts in the case
justly due them. We are not provoked to do this through any prejudice we
entertain toward the Negro, but simply desire to "give the devil his
due" under all circumstances. How the editor of the Journal
received the facts upon which to found such a statement is a mystery to
us, as none of the Faculty nor any of the students, who are acquainted
with his abilities, would desire to make such an unjust impression upon
the public mind.
In the first place, the Negro referred to is not properly a member of
the "Freshman class," being a year behind it in mathematics; and in some
of the remaining recitations, is unqualified to recite with the
"Freshmen" at all. As far as being "one of the smartest members"
is concerned, if the editor refers to natural endowments, he misses the
truth even farther than if reference (sic) was had only to scholastic
attainments.
After having made the ungrounded statement of this colored gentleman’s
position in the college, the editor closes with, "Democrats prepare
to howl."
We are not one of those, whatever our political sentiments may be, who
would stand in the way, or in any manner discourage the Negro in his
attempts to bring himself up from the intellectual degradation
consequent upon his long debasement in slavery. Upon the other hand, we
would encourage him; open to him the public schools, academies and
colleges, and let him derive full benefit from the high educational
advantages which our country affords. Nevertheless, we do not believe
that the Negro is an exception to the rule that "every man should
stand or fall upon his own worth," and we can see no reason why
this Negro, who has happened to attend the college and recite one or two
studies with the "Freshmen," or rather, who is present occasionally at
some of their classes, (for he has not had a good recitation during the
term) should be called one of the best members of the class. If the
editor of the Journal thinks to taunt "democrats" with
specimens of Negro excellence, he will have to make better selections
than he has made in the present case. The truth is, as any one who knows
anything about it will tell the worthy editor, that so far from this
youth of "African descent" being one of the best members of the
"Freshman class," he is not a member of that class at all, and is
decidedly minus in all his studies. One of the Professors remarked, upon
seeing the article, that "Mr. D----- was best only in non-attendance."
But it is an old failing of the "local" of the Journal to talk
about things of which he knows nothing, and that this method of
proceeding often leaves a wrong impression upon the public mind there
cannot be the least doubt. To denominate this individual "one of the
best in the class" is a wrong and an injustice, inasmuch as those
acquainted with the Negro, and unacquainted with the "Freshmen," would
unhesitatingly pronounce them "non compus mentis." -
"FRESHMAN."
Two days later (October 15, 1869), in rebuttal to
FRESHMAN’s comments, "The Mount Pleasant Journal", published
this:
In reply to FRESHMAN, who, in the "Press," takes
exceptions to our item about the colored student, we will state: Senator
Harlan, President of the Iowa Wesleyan University, informed us that the
colored boy was a member of the Freshman Class, and that he (Senator
Harlan) examined him in the studies necessary for a student to pursue as
a member of such class. If he is not a member of that class, we were
wrongly informed by Senator Harlan, but we have no idea that such was
the case. FRESHMAN pretends to be very fair and honest,
but he starts out by misquoting our item. We said, "one of the best
scholars" and we meant to convey the idea that he was one of the "best"
as far as being studious and attentive to his studies was concerned, but
we desire to make no apology for what we wrote. It was not our intention
to do injustice to any member of that class, and as FRESHMAN says, he "would
not stand in the way, or, in any manner discourage the Negro in his
attempts to bring himself up from intellectual degradation."
Our article upon this same subject in another column, written before we
saw the "Press," will not apply to him, as we presume a
gentleman entertaining such ideas as above quoted would not bluster and
blow, as we hear some of the young gentlemen have done.
Excerpts from another column of the same issue, "The
Mount Pleasant Journal," October 15, 1869:
We understand that some of the young men
attending College are very indignant about our item concerning the
colored boy who is attending that institution. We made the item as an
item of news – to let the outside world know that the Iowa Wesleyan
University does not close its doors to any student merely because the
God who created us all saw fit to give him a dark skin. What we said was
upon good authority and no amount of bluster and blowing on the part of
a few young men will convince the people that such is not the
case…Attend closely to your studies. If, at the examination next Spring,
you prove yourselves smarter then your colored classmate, we will tell
the people so. Six years ago, the N---- who you now wish to drive from
the halls of the College, carried the chains of the slave. Through the
workings of Providence, he now enjoys freedom and he has cast his lot in
a State where the rights of all men are acknowledged…That colored boy
has a scholarship, furnished him by R.M. Pickel, he underwent an
examination, was admitted to the institution, and you nice little
fellows can rest assured that he will remain there.
This next article, published two weeks later,
seems to be the final and last to publicly report the controversy
surrounding the 1869 admittance of a colored student to Iowa Wesleyan
University. It appeared October 29, 1869, in "The Mount Pleasant
Journal".
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
We publish below the correspondence which passed between the students of
the College who desired the removal of the "obnoxious" colored
boy now attending that institution, and R.M. Pickel.
We, the undersigned, students of the Iowa Wesleyan University, not
believing in the social equalization of the races, consider the
admission of Negroes into our classes in college an imposition, and an
insult upon us as students, a nuisance with which, for the present term,
we have thus far borne, not knowing where to apply for redress. After
consideration, we now respectfully request the Hon. R.M. Pickel, if it
is in his power, to remove the Negro now in our institution, and thus
restore our wonted harmony. Although we bear no personal antipathy to
the individual in question, we protest against his remaining, believing
at the same time there are ample opportunities for his acquiring an
education, and such as are far better adapted to his advancement,
elsewhere. Knowing as we do the injurious effect of the present state of
affairs on our Institution, and the probability of our students
withdrawing their patronage, we hope to not present this in vain.
John Lauder and nineteen others in the Iowa Wesleyan University.
Gentlemen: Your letter in reference to Thomas E. Dorch (colored
man) asking his removal from the college is before me, and I most
cheerfully reply, that before I made any arrangements to educate him, I
was very careful to confer with most of the faculty belonging in the
Institution, as well as in many of the most prominent citizens and
friends of the Institution, and in no instance was there any objection.
I could not consent to do anything that would impose "unpleasant
relations" upon any student in that University, or injure in any
manner its success, but when I am asked to withdraw a student from whose
education I am responsible, merely because he is a Negro and
the social relation is obnoxious, I most respectfully
decline the honor. My notion of the Negro question and the settlement
thereof is, and must rest upon the fact that they be educated, and
believing this the true policy towards these people, hence you have on
my responsibility in the College this Negro.
Again, there are quite a number of colored children in our Public
Schools and in classes where my own children belong, but I must
confess the just inability to complain, so long as they conform to the
rules of the schools.
It does occur to me, dear friends, that so long as the deportment of
this Negro, conforms to the rules and regulations of the
institution, and there is no complaint from the "Faculty," it would be
gross injustice to deny him the right of a free race in life.
I feel sure that with a careful thought on your part, you will concur
with me on the course I propose to pursue.
Should this "Student," in anything as ungentlemanly or
insultingly, or in any manner treat with disrespect any "student," I
pledge you all the powers and influence I have, (if any) to make the
removal you desire.
With my highest wish for the prosperity and success, of each and all of
you, "Students," and with the hope that you will carefully
again consider the matter, which you have so gentlemanly called to
attention before pressing your wish.
I am, Gentlemen,
Yours, Very Truly,
R.M. PICKEL.
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NOTES:
Susan Mosley (1861-1928) – Recognized as the first
African American graduate of Iowa Wesleyan University in 1885, sixteen
years after Thomas E. Dortch attended.
Thomas E. Dortch (1851-1900) – Born in Tennessee; does
not appear in any IWU class registers; became a barber; lived for a time
in Lincoln, NE, where he participated in community affairs; buried in
Mt. Pleasant’s Forest Home Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Rufus M. Pickel (1820-1878) – Born in Tennessee; teller
at the Henry County Whig convention, 1844; appointed tax assessor of the
First District of Iowa; real estate agent and notary public.
John W. Lauder (1850-1924) – Born in New York; appears
in IWU class registers, 1869-1870, but no record of graduation from IWU;
became a medical doctor.
Editor of "The Mount Pleasant Journal" – Mr. Hatton.
Editor of "The Henry County Press" – R.H. Copeland.
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