Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-04-09
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We should have noticed some time ago, An Ad-
dress to the members and friends Of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church in the South and South
Western States proposing the establishment of q
University at some central point in the South
The Address is signed by nine Bishops, and shows
high appreciation of the benefits of a thorough
education, and determination to carry out the
present laudable enterprise. While we dislike
the plan of sectaran institutions generally, and
would much rather see the South building up some
one or two Universities, we nevertheless hail with
pleasure the present undertaking and wish it oil
success.
1t is proposed to raise notless than S5OO,oOO so
that the institution will begin under very favor
able auspices, and will no doubt contribute mate
rally, to the elevation of Southern Literature, and
the development of Southern genius. This is GER
tainlv the nobcst ambition that could animate the
people of the South. Military glory tho glory
of ga garment rolled in blood"-fades into insig-
nifcance, when compared with the achievements
of mind and the splendor of intellectual fame. 1t
Is on the Datte neiu OIL lnu tIaI We ucsire W see
our sunny land triumphant. When she can boast
of her ripe scholars, her profound philosophers,
her mathematicians, and her eruditc theologans,
then will she be indeed the most attractive land un
der the sun. And we believe this is her destiny.
With our order Of civilization, our peculiar domcs-
tic institution, and the prestige of the past, as the
dor pnt
selves too sanguine when we predict for the South
a coming era of intellectual splcndor The history
of the past proves that she has all the elements
necessary to mental greatness. She has produced
more than her share Of statesmen and orators
statesmen whose foresight was equal to the task
of moulding great nation, orators whose elo-
ouence was not unworthy of the palmiest days Of
Athenian or Roman greatness.
We wish no other confirmation of her ability to
"achieve greatness" Every element of intellec-
tual superiority is requisite to the formation of the
orator and statesmau-from the reasoning facul-
ties of the calm logician, to the warm glow of the
poet soul All we need is consistent effort to
develop: our resources. There is at present, if We
mistake not, o silent revolution working at the
South which will materially and benehcially affect
her prospects. Hitherto her civilization was rather
on experiment. The closing up Of the slave trade
has beyond dispute retarded its progress and ex-
pansion. The North opened her bosom to the cmi-
grafton from Europe, and they were allurcd thther
because their civilization was the same and few
months served to nationalize them. With us the
case was different. The emigrants of the Old Woild,
could not conform so readily to our customs and hab
its. They knew something of the conflict between
labor and capital from sad experience, but they
could not and do not yet understand how they can
be so beautifully blended in our system, as to des
troy that antagonism, which has produced so much
suffering in Europe and is now grinding down the
Poor of the North. They had been taught by the
insipid sentimentaism of psuedo-p philanthropists,
to ook upon our customs as system of oppres-
sion, and our lovely country as den of ogres.-
But this evil has worked its own cure. 1t has
preserved the blood of the original and highmind-
ed pioneers of the South unmixed with that of
the cut throats and felons who have flooded the
North. Our territory will soon be settled up, and
the development of our resources, physical and
mental will then be the inevitable consequence.
Then will science dawn more brightly upon US, the
eloquence of the forum and the pulpit will ring
out over our hills and valleys and the sunburst of
poetry will illustrate the golden age of the South.
But it requires time, patience, and perseverance
to effect great and salutary changes. We have
perhaps anticipated the actual consummation of
events half century. We believe, however, that
such splendid realization is before US. 1t be-
hooves the South, at least, to aim at such high
destiny. 1t behooves her to do all in her power
for the promotion of high .attainments and pro-
found erudition. 1t is the noblest and most legt-
innate end of government and of private philan-
throphy. Ignorance is a more prolific mother OF
vice and misery, than even the natural depravity
of man. Empiricism, so far from beneftting, is
often more detrimental than unpretending stupidi-
ty but true learning is more valuable than gold
and is actually the most unfailing source Of ma
tional wealth and national power. When Bacon
said knowledge is power" he but declared
truth, the actual illustration of which lay open
before his eyes. The reign of material pageantry,
of gay tilts and tournaments had passed, and the
rival powers of knowledge and wealth, had al
ready plainly shown that they were more potent
than mail-clad warriors.
His own case was striking instance in proof
of his aph0rism. Poor and unfriended, he rose to