The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-15
From the Spartanburg Express.
DAVIDSON COLLEGE.

tIOIu lIt LAPitoo:
DAVIDSON COLLEGE.
This Institution is situated in Mecklen-
burg County, n. G.. It has been for several
years past laboring under considerable dis
advantages. It has not uutil recently been
endowed with capital sufficient to place it
upon an equal footing with most Colleges.
The designs of its Trustees, have, hereto
fore, been somewhat restricted, both for the
want of funds and patronage, which had,
however, under their surveillance increased
upwards to the amount of 81 ,OO0-when by
the very opportune and liberal bequest of
the late Mr.. Chambers, of Salisbury, n. c.,
it became legatee to the amount at medium
estimate Of about $3.50, O00-making i'll all
a permanent capital of $35O,OOO. Certainly
no institution has received a more handsome,
and now more timely assistance than this
one. This College was founded in the year
1886 by VIM. Davidson. He appropriated
with some money in cash, and in honor of
whom it was called. By the aid of other
gentlemen, and communities, they were ena
bled to found a pretty fair College. AL
though the alumni of this College are com
paratively small in number, for the number
or Yeas IC has been i'll existence, yet many
have received quite liberal education, and
some of these young men bid fair to become
prominent and useful members in society.
And we are glad to witness the enthusiasm
kindled in the breast of old Mecklenburg;
similar to that which characterized her sons
during the Revolutionary struggle. Neck
lenburg is soil rendered memorable by the
deeds, and sacred by the blood Of heroic
men, whose names, and the names of whose
kindred are as familiar as household words.
A new zeal seems to inspire them, and they
intend ere long to have 4 College that will
in point of scholarship and funds vie with
any other Institution South. There are
other Colleges to which appropriations are
annually made, and doubtless may equal
this one in future state but nevertheless
it has paramount advantages over Them
for it has its own resources within itself, and
is not dependent upon the State for annui-
ties. This College is under the care and
direction of several Presbyteries of n. c.,
together with Bethel Presbytery of S. c.
Not being far in the interior of the State, it is
beginning to be much patronized by many
of the Districts of S. c., but more especially
by the upper Districts, in which the Bethel
Presbytery is included. AT recent meet
ing of the Board of Trustees the plan of
Instruction was enlarged, so as to embrace
seven Professorships; all but two has been
filled, and by gentlemen eminent for their
reputation as scholars, and practical learn
ing, and who can furnish sufficient guaran-
tee, that each in his department., is fully
competent to perform the duties of his
respective Office. The faculty is composed
of the following gentlemen: Rev. Drury
Lacy, D. D., President and Professor OF
Moral Philosophy, Sacred Literature, and
Ev. of Christianity; Rev. E. +. Rockwell,
A. NJ. Prof. of Latin Language and Litera-
ture, and Modern History: Maj. d. IL. Hill,
Prof. of Mathematics and Civil Engineering;
John A. Leland, A. NJ. Prot. of Natural
Philosophy and Astronomy; c. D. Fish
burne, A. B. Prof. of Greek Language,
Literature and Ancient History Rev. A.
Gilchrist, A. NJ. Prof. elect of Intellectual
Philosophy, Logic, Bellies Lettres and
Elocution. Prof of Chemistry, Min
eralogy and Geology. All these gentlemen
are already i'll office except Rev. A. Gilchrist,
who has but recently been elected. 1t is
the purpose of the Trustees to have all the
departments filled, by the commencement
of the next session. DIR. Lacy, and Col.
Leland were indicted into Office at the late
commencement. The former is from Raleigh
n. c., who adds to his high reputation as a
Christian Divine and Scholar, an urbanity,
which will not fail to win the hearts of the
youth committed to his care. The latter,
Col. Leland, is from South Carolina, late
Professor of Mathematics in the Citadel
Academy of Charleston. His name and the
office he has just relinquished is sufficient
guarantee for his proficiency in the depart
ment allotted to his supervision, and his
ability as a teacher. As to the other mem
bers of the Faculty, little can be said either
pro or con that would be of any consequence,
for they have already displayed their famil-