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Davidson College, N.C.
Nov. 6th 1860
Dear Joe,
Hurra for Breck and Lane! Great times in the United States! Election of a president! Well Joe, the die is cast and we may be at rest on one point at least. I tremble for the result. I am not quite as sanguine as some of our friends who think that Breckenridge is elected. I have no hopes of this. Mylittle remnant of hope in the success of Douglass. If he carries some of the free states (which is not impossible) Lincoln may be defeated, for in that case it may devolve on Congress to choose the president and if so it will perhaps be favorable to the south. I know but little of the chances of either candidate in N.C. but it will depend on the vote that Douglass gets which I hope will be small. A considerable vote was put in from the hill mostly for Bell and Everett and yet the precinct returns a majority for Breckenridge. Mount Mourne is more than half for Bell. I have heard from no other places. Douglass did not get 20 votes in the two boxes. Joe, Dick voted today for the first time in his life. Breck on the first favor from him. I mean that this is the first vote for a civil officer.
We have had almost every variety of weather here today. It has rained, hailed, sleeted, some day snowed, the wind blew, it calmed, cleared off and was pleasantly warm this evening. this morning there was quite a thunderstorm.
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Joe, I have nothing particular to write about myself except what I have written often. I am well and enjoying myself pretty well. I think the classes are getting along very well in my department. they all prepare their lessons very well. I have had no occasion to exercise anything like discipline in the lecture room as much as they did with Col. Leland. They are a great deal better up to it than our class was. I have not seen the most remote indication of such as thing as yet, and I believe there has not been any of it. I do not base my opinion on my own observation alone, but on that together with my confidence in the honor of students. Several men of my acquaintance would snuff at this last idea but I do not yet believe that students are void of honor. I put their conduct in the lecture room on their honor when I began and I do not believe they have in a single instance violated it. I have taken no pains to find out how I am liked among the boys but I would not feel so comfortable if I thought I was disliked as much as Dr. Sam seems to be. He is now sick but I hope not dangerous. He is a candidate for the Greek Professorship. Next week is to determine who will fille the vacancy here. I hope the department which I now fill may be occupied by such a man as Prof Kerr a man that will have the
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proper apparatus and appliances and make the department what it ought to be. Such a thing is needed in this college.
Joe, I could not get off to visit you last week nor can I this week, but do not be discouraged – I will come some time if ever I do as Ptol says. I have an invitation to a party at John R. Alexanders and I want to go if I can get off. Would you do so? Joe, Miss Lizzie is back again and a new miss Kerr with – a cousin. I went round one day and had a chat with them. Woud you have done so? I recalled old times.
I am about out of something to write. I will therefore come to a close. On thing I almost forgot Fred Foard applied for admission in to college today I need not add that he was refused. Poor fellow, I pity him but it would not do to admit him here under the circumstances.
Give my kindest regards to Mr & Mrs Brown and family and remember yours in F&F.
Wm.N. Dicky
PS Ptol sends a package in this letter which you will understand I suppose.
From: DC0090s, Joseph Thompson, 1834-1862 (1860) Papers, 1859-1861. (View Finding Aid)
Cite as:
Thompson, Joseph. Letter to Joe. 6 November 1860. Joseph Thompson Letters. Davidson College Archives, Davidson College, NC. Available: https://davidsonarchivesandspecialcollections.org/archives/digital-collections/joseph-thompson-letter-november-1860-transcript/.
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