The North-Carolina standard., 1848-03-15
MISCELLANEOUS SELECTIONS.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

University OF NORTH CAROLINA.
| In the November number of the (Boston) Quar-
ely Register for 1912, there was published the fol-
unq sketch of the history of this Institution, which
Vas complied by the Editor from documents which
had been left in his hands for the purpose by MEM
her of the Faculty. 1t contains some facts which
are not noticed in Foote'S Sketches of orth Ca
rina.' - and as very few of our readers have seen
tho work from which it is taken, its republication will
be gratifying to the friends of the Univer-
Sity and perhaps contribute something to the
of education by showing what may be accomplished
by the wedreced and persevering labors OF single
Individual:
uTbe FORTY first section OF the Constitution of the
State of North Carolina, adopted Dec. 9th, 1776,
declares that school, schools, shall be estab
ished by the Legislature for the convenient instruc
ton of youth, and that sail useful learning shall
be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more
Universities Agrceably to this provision, the Uni
versity of North Carolina incorporated in Dec.
IL, 1889. In the act of incorporation we find the
wise declaration that in all well regulated govern
ments, it is the Indispensable duty of every Legisa
consult the happiness of the rising generation,
and endeavor fit them for an honorable discharge
of the social duties of life, by paying the stctest
attention to their education, and that University
supported by permanent funds, and well endowed
will have the most direct tendency to answer this
purpose At the session of the Legislature
act supplementary to the act of incorporation was
passed, endowng the University &c with all the
rearages due to the State from receiving officers of
the present and late governments up to the first of
January, 1888, with all the property that had hereto
fore, or might thereafter escheat to the State"
Subsequently, grants of confscated property were
made, but of this of revenue the Trustees
were divested in 1904 and the others never very
productive, except the Western lands, the value OF
which was for long time merely nominal, though at
this day they constitute a "splendld endowment"
Private benefactions, however in considerable mea
sure made up for the want of public benevoence At
the first meeting of the Trustees, which held at
FAYETTEVILLE November 18th, 1890, deed was pre-
81 Smith SnhS
Governor of the State, conveying to the University
twenty thousand acres of land. Soon after, Major
Charles Gerard bequeathed thirteen thousand acres
Many of the early donations small, but the ag-
gregate indicates that general interest was
felt for the University throughout the community In
1902 the ladies of Raleigh presented pair of globes
with compass and In 1904, the ladies OF Newbern
presented quadrant ss the best they could procure
as an evidence that the sex could never be lnder-
to the promotion of science, connected as 1t is
with the virtues that mpart civiity to manners, and
refinement to life." Soon after the selection OF
Chapel Hill as the seat of the University, twelve In
dvduals residing in the vicinity gave thirteen hum
dred and ninety-ive of land, constituting all
the real estate at present held by the corporation
In order that the business of building might be
carried on without embarrassment, the Trustees bor-
rowed $4,000 of the State, which loan after
wards converted into glft and since that bene1ac-
ton, no direct advancement has at any time been
made from the public treasury.
The business of education commenced early
in the year 1895. At this time there was but single
building two stories high, and that In part occu-
pied for preparatory school. The first instructor
the Rev. David Kerr, graduate OF Trinity Col
lege, Dublin, assisted by Mr.. Holmes, IN the
preparatory department Very shortly afterwards,
the Professorship of Mathematics filled by the
appointment of Mr. Charles w. Harris, graduate
of the College of New Jersey: As Prof: Harris did
not wish to engage permanently in teaching, 1t was
understood that his term of services should END In
one year from his appointment At his resignation,
he recommended as his successor, Mr. Joseph Cald-
well, then tutor at Princeton. Mr.. CaidWeH was
appointed and accepted
As the connection of Mr.. Caldwell with the Uni
versity first as Professor of Mathematics and after
wards as President, is closely interviewer with It's
interest and prosperity during almost the whole perl
cd of its history, shall be pardoned we dlgress
little to give few incidents of his early life. He
born at Lamngton, New Jersey, near Black
river, branch of the Raritan, April 2lst, l773. On
his mothers side, ne of Huguenot ancestry, ms
greatgrandfather, whose name was Loveh' Deing
one of those numerous exiles, who upon the revoca-
cation of the edict of Nantes by Louis XIV In 1884,
compelled, for conscience sake, to seek home
foreign shores. His father, who was Phy
died in early life, and inferred the day before
/ the birth of the son of whom we are speaking. lie
early manifested fondness for books, and an aptness
to acquire knowledge, together with an amable DIS
position, all of which gave promise OF his 1u1ure
emnence and usefulness. He entered Prlnceton Col-
/ lege at the age of fourteen. During the whole OF
his college course, his habits were marked with oil
lIgence and punctuality, which, as In every otnel
IKE case, procured Tor hlm Lne eSteeLu dhu
Of his teachers At his graduation, In l79i, ne re-
ceived for his appointment the delivery OF the Salu
tary Grafton in Latin.
From the time of his leaving College to his aP
pointment to the iProfessorship of Mathematics ne
was engaged partly in the study of Theology, anc
partly in the business of instruction; first as teach
er of private class of boys, and then as assistant
teacher in Elizabethtown and finally as tutor In Col
ege. At the lime of his first connection with the
University, which was 1895, the institution was
yet in its infancy, and the standard of study exceed
ngly low, when compared with what is expected and
demanded of University.
During the first nine years of its existence, no ono
Of the officers of the University was distinguishes
by being the President. In 1904, Mr.. Caldwell, who
had been for some time the presiding oceF and who
had at all times, subsequent to his appointment, beer
its master spirit, was elected to the Presidency AT
ter the first few years of his labors in this capacity
the reputation of the University attracted students II
such numbers, as made enlarged means for thel
accommodation necessary. Another building was
then commenced, but means Were wanting for com
petng its erection. For two years more, the In
convenience of narrow accommodations was suDmlt
Ted to, while the number Of students continued to In
crease At length, Mr.. Caldwell, with the aPpro6a
ucn of the Trustees, made appeal to the beraity
the State; and during six weeks vacation ne sue