Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-03-31
[For the Nashville Patriot.1
The Southern University.
(BT L. VIRGINIA FREEcH.)

In the olden time, among one of the most pow
erful tribes of the North American aborigines, a
woman, if she belonged to the "noble army" OF
mothers, considered entitled to a seat in the
council circle, and her vote upon all questions of
national policy, regarded as being of equal i'm
portance with that of the most celebrated warrior
Though this fact will no doubt be looked upon by
many in this Enlightened day and country, as con-
elusive evidence OF the baTbarc manners of that
olden time and tribe, being an interested party, /
cannot forbear taking advantage of it, and using it,
In some measure as precedent II then, as a wo-
man, lin conformity with the enlightened usages
ofmy country,) enter upon the discussion Of this
great subject with some degree Of hesitancy, the
fact that as mother have right to express what
is 10 my heart in regard to it, is a strong incentive
to proceed. My right" established, do doubt
my abiliyS allow myself at this point only to re-
member the beautiful language of Ion;-
''The humblest reed that trembles in the marsh
II Heaven select il for its instrument,
May shed celestial music the breeze
As clearly as the pipe whose virgin gold
Belts the lips OF Ph9bus."
Before entering upon a consideration of the mer-
les and influences of this grand idea OF Southern
University, it is natural to tarn for nom ent to the
great mind, the large heart from whence it emana-
ted. Il is pleasant. as well beneficial, to turn
away at times from the 'levl crowd" Of stereotyp-
ed, systematized minds which environ US, and con-
template solitary soul, whose scope Of thought
Is wide as the blue heavens aud whose play Of feel
log is free as are the mountain winds It is re-
freshng tOo,-like emerging from the close atmos-
pierre the cold inanities, and fading lamps of some
half deserted banquet-hal, into the bright glories
Of summer morning, with it's open sky, its free
air. its glad gush Of water, and It's green hills just
waking to the early sunshine. Even should this
enterprise never be carried into effect, (which Hea-
ven iorfend the world must feel grateful to BsHoP
Polk that he has given 1t new thought. It is the
idea OF a Patriot, full Of the love Of his " own bis
native land, of Statesman, consi iering deeply
his eountry's veal of Philanthropist, seeking to
alleviate the wants Of humanity, of Philosopher,
referring al good the great GiEer Of good -ofa
Prophet, gazing afar into futurity, and preparing
his people for the events which lie sbroadej there.
The inception Of grand idea, is 10 itself, the
token Of great imnd. Such broad views are
indicative Of mental elevation. Those views are
as natural to gifted minds, as are limited
ones to spirits Of inferior intelligence The eagle
who soars sloit 10 meet the sun at midday, and
beholds below a world 'presd out before him, is
conscious Of 20 greater effort than the starting that
Autters on his perch aud views only the boudoirs
c'rcumscribing walls.
II Il be true that an ''instituton Is only the
heightened shadow Of one man." boE extended,
how grateful, how highly priced will be the shade
OF this great mind Il lsngthens out the plains
of Timel How iunumerAblo the thOu sands who
will hereafter throag seek It's protection, the
'shadow of a greA. rock in weary land" Aud
then when they rise from It's protecting shadow,
freshed and eomfortei, laden with earnings rich
est treasures, aud start forward on their journey
over the deserts Of Life, how will they cherish the
memory, aud bear ever with them in their heart Of
hearts, blessing upon him, whose name, whose tai
ents, and whose virtues, the world will not "will-
ingly Let dis!"
But woul speak now Of the enterprise itself
It's character, lis aims aud iufaenses The means Of
ensuing is ,ss and the objection brought for
ward by some against iIs estiblishment Like the
morning star il comes glad herald Of brighter
day," when Intellect aud zion, With splendor
Surprising taat OF the aud moon, shall rise up
on our land more glorious than the steps Of morn
upon the movntains" When We look upon Il In
all its bearings, we cannot bat realize that il has du
ties and responsibilities which vel might on an
angel haods. or task an angels mind" lSisa cues
tion deeply involving not only our domestic iOter
ests, but our political policy. II is catholic, jet
most conservative les plan Is compF hensvs, is
basis broad, lis Influences profound, is snds mo-
mentoas H. Object Is 10 enHghteD, 10 purify. to
expand anl 10 libgrIhEs IL Is the oyerdouing
fountain 81 whose bflsk ne South l. 70 slaks th.
beruiag trsr Of her sOO Tor Il Is designed 70 sup
ply DOT only the ingeeetnal but the moral wants Of
all who may enter the ehsrnel circle Of its mae
snce rhoagh established expressly In references
TO the edaeadonal deficiencies OF one porliOn Of eur
UniOn, 1t Is not SECTIONAL aud though designed 70
be under TIE exclusive c,nlrol Of one denominstion
OF Cbi'dans, L Is Bot seclREian. IIs ieunders
neither upoa Northern nor European IuslitHtions
bat freely acknowledging their merits, a. vel %
thOse Of others already in operation a ths sosth
they only propose to engsgs 10 4 aobls and gener.
oss rivalry. the greet qassioh being, mo shall
seeoapase toe Creates goedt They only desirs
20 become the powerful 'Alhes" Of sllAhose uae
are aires y striving iof the right, aud % direct their