The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-20
TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY.

TRUSTEES OF TIE UNIVERSITY.
There was quite an animated debate in
the Senate on the 9TH inst, on the PROPOSE
ton from the Commons to 60 into the cleo
ton of FIVE Trustees of the University
Gen. DOckery and Mr.. Pool professed to be
greatly concerned at the rumor that the
Democrats had made caucus nominations
to fill vacancies in the board of Trustees,
and descanted at length upon the evils
which would, in their judgment, flow there
from. They were replied to most pointedly
and forcibly by Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Houston.
1t was apparent to every one that without
some concert among the majority in the
Legislature the vacancies referred to could
not be filled. Many ballots. it is well
known, were had during the last Legisla-
ture, and much valuable time consumed;- -
and vet but two Trustees were chosen
And at this session nearly half days
sitting was exhausted in ballot, and no
one was elected and so scattering was the
vote that there was no Indication of a choice
ofeven one out of the five. 1t was the duty
of the Legislature to fill these vacancies;
yet we verify believe that. without concert
of action among the majority, it would have
required week TO fill them, at a cost of
$4,000 of the public money. while other and
very important interests would have suffer-
ed by neglect. The action of the Demo
Gratis was, therefore, that of necessity. No
Democrat thinks for a moment of introduc-
ing party into the University; and no Dem
ocrat thus elected, would so far forget what
Wa due to his own character and to the
whole people Of the State, as to shape his
course as Trustee according to party
principles or even party sympathies. But
the Democrats cducuSed in relation to the
University, and this it is that shocks the
delicate political nerves of Gen. Dockery
and Mr.. Pool. What transparent hypocri-
sy! Did not Gen. Dockery preside in this
City. not very long since, over a secret
oath-bound political association, the object
Of 1hich acds to prescribe eUery man in erery
possible situation, both politically and SOci-
ally, ,cho might be Democrat! And did
not both sworn now to vote only for those
of their own society or faction, and agaist
every Democrat for any and everything
If not, who released them from their oaths
They do not caucus about such Matters
they are above such conduct! There is no
necessity for meetings by them to secure
unanimity of action, for they are already
bound. Let Gen. Dockery, or Mr.. Pool, or
Mr.. Cherry but give the word in the Senate,
and every Know Nothing is at once with
them; and party is thus served, not as the
result of conference or a caucus, such as
is held by the Democrats, but because, I'M
der one of the first rules of their organiza
ton, they are bound to obey. With what
grace, then, can they assail the Democrats
in this matter, whose sole object was to
make an election, and thus advance the in
terests of the University, while at the same
time they facilitated the public business and
saved thousands of dollars of the public
money! The Know Nothings of this State,
as their constitution will show, are sworn to
introduce party into everything, from con-
stables up to State Superintendent of Com
mon Schools, and from that to Solicitors
and Judges. We speak by the record, and
we point to the know-nothing State consti-
tuition to prove what we say. Will General
Dockery. or Mr.. Pool, or those for whom
they speak, rote for a Democrat for any Of
fee? No. Let them, then, look to their
own party duties and obligations; and the
Democrats, who are now the power in the
State, will look to theirs.
We might 60 on to show, if necessary,
that since the Democrats came into power
in 1850, every interest of the State, and es-
pecially that of education, has been fostered
and advanced beyond all former example
and that at this time, as regards both the
University and Common Schools, this State
occupies the very first position among the
Southern States.
We reserve this for some future occasion,
and do not wish to be drawn into it. We
desire to avoid even the appearance of party
in connection with the sacred cause of edu-
cation; but some party must and should
lead in every free State and it is but fair
that that party, thus charged with the res
possibility, should be permitted, when as
sailed and its motives misrepresented, to
justify itself before the people by pointing
to its acts and to the benefcent results of
its policy and principles.-Ral. Standard.
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THE SEIZURE OF CUBA.-The New York
Al f IL
of q communication
at has lately come to my knowledge that
there exists in this country secret order,
called 1.-The Sons of Freedom The or
ganization extends from New Orleans to n.
York, embracing the principal seaboard
towns, and is rapidly extending itself over
the entire country.s The head, or Grand
Lodge, exists in this city, to which all other
lodges are subordinate. Members are ad-