Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-03-23
N
MONDAY, MARCH 2s, 1867


OF the diocese OF DOulSlaua, auuresSeu q let
ter to the Bishops Of the-dioceses. of Ten
nessee, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tex
as, Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina and
North Carolina, proposing the establish
ment, by the people of those States, of
University, Of such character as would
supply the DEFICIENCIES which, unfortunately,
exist in the educational resources Of those
States. At the succeeding General Con
vention of the Bishops, held in Philadel-
phia in the month of October following,
these learned divines gave the matter much
consideration. and agreed upon plan Of
operations to carry out the proposition
The plan suggested embraces the founding
and erection of an institution, which will
compass all the educational facilities i'm
piled by the term, UNIVERSITY. The insti-
tuition is to be supplied with Faculties in
all the departments ofliberal and elevated,
scientific and classical culture including
Theology. These Faculties are intended
to be composed of such men as will in
spire the utmost confidence in the en-
terprise; and make the Institution peer
of the most renowned Universities of the
world. 1t is proposed, to accomplish a
work of such magnitude, and in every re-
spect so desirable that the sum of not less
than $500, 900 be contributed by the citi-
zens of the States named. These plans
and suggestions, we are pleased to see, are
meeting the hearty approval of the people,
so far as general and warm commenda-
ton of the press, serves to indicate such
feeling. We are happy to see our contem-
poraries of this State, and especially of this
city, taking deep interest in the project.
That our country, and particularly the
Southern and Southwestern portions of it,
is deficient in facilities, for the acquisition
Of varied and profound education, by its
youth, is lamentably true. We mean no
.disrespect to existing institutions, when we
make this remark; and in expressing our
concurrence and sympathy in this new
movement, we but express the feelings of
nine-tenths of the intelligent citizens of the
South and Southwest. We have always
been tributary to the North and to Euro
pean Schools, for the education of our sons.
Until within very few years past, the
oldest and most respectable institutions of
the South, considered as a section, have
been neglected to most shameful extent.
And since our people are opening their
eyes to judiciouS sense Of their interests,
and are looking around their own homes
for the facilities, they have before sought
elsewhere, they End very great deficiency,
as well in number as character of their
home institutions. The question is now
practically presented, whether we are to re-
tain our wonted apathy, and permit the
evils which are becoming, everyday; more
and more intolerable, to continue to afflict
us2 We should have very little respect
for that intelligence and Iiberality, nay,
that independence and chivalry of spirit,
so frequently and proudly boosted of (and,
in our opinion, SO justly claimed) by the
people of the South, if they were to allow
this question, either to be answered in the
affirmative, or to remain unanswered.
Men of liberal views and generous and
philanthropic spirit, seeing and feeling the
evils, to which we have referred, have, from
time to time, made large donations to give
relief from them. But not being respon
ded to in the proper manner, by those fol
whom the benefit was intended, the means
have, in most instances, evaporated with
out efecting much good. The people have
failed to appreciate these exertions, anC
have suffered the benefits to pass, unnoticed
from them We do not feel inclined to at
tribute this state Of things, to the insatiat'
greed for money on the part of our fellow
citizens, to which some appear disposed t
refer it. On the contrary we believe tina
it would be very greatly to their pecEnsar!
interest, individually and collectively. Tn,
secret is, and it has ever been weight,
incubus upon the educational interests o
this region, that the people have not consi
dered and deliberated upon the subject sui
fcien.ly. A few moments reflection, will
doubtless, convince all reasonable minds
not only Of the propriety, but also the ne
cessity Of such an Institution of learning
in our midst, as that proposed.
We observe a very we'll considered art
Gle ia the N. o. Bulletin, cordially approy
ing and recommending the adoption of tn
plan and suggestions of the Bishops; an,
also proposing and urging that the capita
be raised from FIVE hundred thousand +
one million of dollars. We concur in thi
amendment; and would be in favor of mak
ing the minimum sum to be secured befor
commencing Operations, at least thre
quarters of a million. This amount, W
doubt not, could be fully as easily obtain
ed, perhaps more so, than a half millioI
With this fund. buildings Of style an
magnitude, corresponding with the magn
ficence Of the scheme, could be erected
and leave ample endowment for the NJ
cessary professorships. We believe nosl
ing short of this will answer the demant
Hon. ". H. sssro.-we are gratihed /