Copy of Heman Humphrey letter to the members of the Social Union, 1834 January 1
Humphrey, Heman, 1779-1861
Heman Humphrey statement, made by vote and in behalf of the faculty, to the Social Union of Amherst College regarding anonymous compositions in literary societies. Humphrey states that, as he recently addressed the entire student body regarding the hurtful tendency of anonymous compositions in the three literary societies of the College, he will not again repeat the arguments of himself and the faculty. He discusses instead the damage to fraternal harmony of such anonymous compositions in general and the role of the faculty and trustees in relation to the College societies. Humphrey writes that the faculty wishes for the prosperity of every member of their society, but no society in the College can be allowed to defeat a measure for which the public good calls. Thus, Humphrey continues, the Social Union must give up the anonymous department as the Alexandrian and Athenian Societies have already done, and they cannot allow any more anonymous compositions to be read or spoken in their meetings. He writes that in regard to the mischief which has already been done, the faculty can only excuse themselves for not interfering sooner by saying that they had no concept of the extent and magnitude of the evil. The document is noted as "a true copy."
