Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-03-19
From he ~ O. BuU.tin.7

TEE PROPOSED SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY Our read
sTs will IecJleCt that last summer we notcsd
somewhat ct length the letter Of Bishop Polk Of
this State to the several Bishops OF the Southern
States ia reference to the founding of Southern
University. The letter ia question was duly con.
sdered by the distngu shed and learned prelaes
TO whom it was addressed, aud the proposal has
received their unanimous and hearty spprobsti N.
As a necessary consequence, aud as the next
natural, preliminary step, they have united in
letteT-for q copy of which we are indebted to
Bishop Polk-io the friends of tie enterprise in
the respective States taking g calm and compre-
heusivs view Of the whole subject and urging its
prCpriety, importance and necessity upon the
earnest attention of TIE people OF the fsrent
d!cceses. The considerations urged IN favor Of en-.
teFing at once upon the accomplishment OF tie
great enterprise are Of the weigntiest character
-eigiosu, mora, intellectual and patriotic.
The AUTHORS Of the letter in question, Bishops
Otey, of Tennessee, Polk, Of Louisiana Elliott OF
GeJrgia, COBB, of Alab ana Freemsn. Missionary
Bishlp of the Southwest, Green, Of Mississippi,
R.tlejge, OF Florida, DAVIS Of South Carolina, 81 q
AtkiusoD, of North Carolina, evidently, fully
comprehend the magnitude OF the work, in every
point If view, which they propose, and ,h=y urge
It. We are grst6ed to observe, Ia q truly liberal
and catholic spTIt, worthy alike Of tbs Interests
involved and Of the character Of enlightened
Christian gentlemen. Tnsy freely and frankly
acknowledge the merits aud usefulness Of exist
lug institute ous some O! which are venerable With
age and renowned fer learning. They do not
propose to found and build up an institu ion 10
opposition 10 any one uOw existing snd they
engaged only in that kicd of laudabie rivalry 10
waich 60 d m=n everywhere may We'll engage,
the rivIlry Of doDg good They propose the cJa.
t=mPlsed UaveTslly as an ally of every institution
seeking to elevate the standard Of e iu-ation and
10 Gtfuse tie light and warmth over the ecu -t-7
ike the rays OF the N )TniDg. Tuey coma as CO.
workers With that mobile array" OF educators ID
are striving 70 occupy the mnisH t the ri no
generation and 70 simulate them u a noble and
worthy ambition, b-iore psrnicIous principles aud
unworthy motives AMI objects shall debase them
Tney tnIuk that a great educational nee, ssiLy
exists, that there Is room 10 the Southern 6tss
,or an institution upon a more general and extern
siTc scale than any now ia operation, and thnt
there are abundant resources il money and other
material waiting only TO be called into reqlsition,
COmbiIed aud properly directed 10 guarantee g
0 mpiete ard permanent success These views
Will doubtless be shared, with few dissenting
voices, by toe hbsrai s1d enlightened througaout
this part Of the country. We are especially pleased
with the patriotic, conservative aud Catlo c tone
Waco per7ades the address bsfo.o a. AMI the
tLl.rged spirit and expansive princpes in which
and upon WHICH 1t is propo ed 70 found and con-
y
howeVe-, and accomplish its objects il aay other
way. 4adeed Its very pu-po,e is to enlarge, en-.
lEhten sou hoeTa iz5 the MUD and richly store u
with the great principles OF varied truth and
charity, IN order to qualify it, possessor FOR use
fl less; and to have exhibited nsrrJw src5 ORAL
bigOtsd spirit n the very ou:se. Wo Id have been
q mJrutying, We might cay a shocking spect icle
1t would besides have been fatal to the enterprise.
The Bishops propose that no steps shall Do taken
he 1ffrr- ,,,r- III z
dred thousand dollars shall have been secured -
We think this sum too small to start with. In
order to place it ab tRitiO beyond contrg euc7 we
tank II should have million Ct dollars az bssis
The Institution is designed to supply the highest
intel ecuSl wants of the Southern portion OF the
cOntedersCy. II is to be in erior, if we rightly
understand ne subject 10 its buildings, appsrat IL,
Libraries, PrOtessO7ships and general arrangements
TO 10 University IN this CJGntTy, and capable Of
furnishing the lLqurug student with the means Of
pursuing his Investigations as far Is any universe
y IL Europe. Ii this be so, We submit that q
million OF dollars Is little enough to begin " tn
This cum seems large, We know; but cannot toe
lflends Of the project the friends of learning and
OF elevated, conservative principles ia eight Sou.h-
ern States, without counting Texas OF A kansas
both OF which would undoubtedly come to It's sup
port, raise it? TIE it not it Gath Why, we are
assured that the State of L uisaua alone has
s9eh. 10 the aggregate one million tJD0 hundred |
thousand dollars upon tbieo public Insttu lois;
one 10 the Attskspas, one upon t1e cJasf and one
lu East EeiCsns. What hss she to show now for
the ou.lsy2 No one Of the schools, a. a S!as:
seminary, is, we believe, now in existence.
TIE Bishops will bring the subject to the ro.ice
OF Their respective STATE ConVsu Ions at thu frst
session Of each, when plan will be digesIed and (
presented to carry into effect the financial basis Of |
the proposed University by the commencement of |
pTscuosl operations. Those who may wish to aid |
Ia this noble and patriotic work will doubtless be
any ADVISED as to The time whea and the mode by |
wlic taey can do so.
We iee /! to be almost a work Of supsreroga-
ton TO give reasons in favor of this intellectual
patriotic scEems. They can scarcely fail to i'm.
press themselves upon the miud OF any one at slI
Iksy 90 be interested IN it. or capable of compre-
henuing is bearings and importance. These reI-
sons ia their relations are material and msrtal-
icy are moral aud pstriods They are religious
and conservative. They strike home powerfully
to our fresides They appeal directly to our most
sacred affections. They are as comprehensive, as
profound, az momentOus a5 broad, a. the personal
wela-s Of the rising generation OF the SJulhern
States; ss the prosperity, union aud destiny Of
our country. We advocate It upon broad grounds
The same ground that We sand upon in advocating
the Improvement and Perpetuity Of our city and