The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-16
University Of the south.

member Of the Convention of Bishops,
held short time since at Montgom-
cry Ala. 1t gives fair representa-
tion of the beautiful location at Sc
vance, and with our whole heart do
we Recommend its perusal to any de-
sirous to know concerning it.
To THE EDITOR OF THE BANNER:-
Dear Sir:-Alter your generous and able
advocacy OF our proposed Institution in
one OF your late numbers, feel under
some obligations to give you running
account of what was done at our late
meeting in Montgomery, Alabama.
On Wednesday the 22th ult.. our Con.
vention, or Board of Trustees, assem-.
bled in the St. Johns Church; and after
prayer by Bishop Otey, proceeded without
delay to the business before them. The
"Committec on Location" appointed at
our previous meeting in July, had met
two or three days beforehand, and had
been arduously engaged preparing their
Report.
Of the nine Bishops engaged in this
enterprise, all were present except the
Bishops of South Carolina and Ark KANSAS.
Seven dioceses were represented, either
in full, or in part, by their clerical and
lay deputies. The principal business to
be done after giving to our contempla.
ted Institution "local habitation and
name," was to prepare suitable Char.
ter, and to adopt proper measures for
raising the necessary funds. The style of
title adopted was that which heads this
communication. Others were proposed;
but this seemed to meet with their gen.
eral favor. 1t was at first feared by few
that it might be regarded in some quarters
as sectional and in others as invidious,
but after a very general disclaimer OF all
such intentions, and fair consideration
Of other names proposed, that of "The
University Of the South" was adopted by
an almost unanimous vote.
A Charter drawn with great care and
ability, was presented by Francis B.
Fogg, Esq, in behalf of the committee
appointed for that purpose at our last
meeting. It was referred TO a special
committee of our body, and the next day
was considered, article after article
After undergoing few unimportant a.
mendments, it was was placed in the
hands Of Mr.. Fogg, to be presented by
him to the Legislature of Tennessee now
in session.
Blu, the subject of location was that
which seemed 10 possess most interest
and which gave occasion 10 the gr atest
part OF our deliberations. Some five or
six places were in the nomination, and
each had its able and strenuous advocates,
For some time after the balloting com.
menced it was doubtful whether Atlanta,
Huntsville, Chattanooga, or the Scwanee
mountain would be the favored spot
Unusual interest was exhibited through
out the struggle; but no unkind feeling
was for moment permitted to show it.
self. After seventeen resorts to the bal.
lot, the contest was at length, upon the
motion of DR.. Curtis, decided by unan-
imous vote in favor Of the Sewanee
Mountains. AS this locality is unknown
to most of our readers, | will now en-.
deavor to give you fapid sketch of it.
With the map of Tennessee before
you, you will see that besides the great
chain of the Allegheny which separates
that State from her parent North Caroli
ma, there is another parallel ridge one
or two hundred miles westward, known
as the Cumberland range. This latter
range or chain of mountains varies in
height from 1000 to 1900 feet above the
level Of the surrounding region, and term
mates in more hilly country soon after
entering Alabama. On the top Of this
ridge in Franklin county, Tenn, and
within ten or fifteen miles of the Ala
bama lime, is the spot designated as the
abode of our noble enterprise. 1t goes
by the Indian name Of Sewanee, What
the meaning Of the word is in their cup
honious and expressive language have
not yet learned. The "Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad" passes through
the mountain by tunnel within six miles
of this spot, which is in railroad language
three. and. .a.half hours "run" from the
former, and two.and.a .a.half from the lat.
ter place. After passing through the
tunnel, going towards Nashville you
come upon adepot belonging to wealthy
and prosperous Coal Company, which
owns valuable and almost inexhausti.
BILE mine on the top Of the mountain
A railroad eighteen miles in length leads
up the side and along its summit to the
mine. After an ascent of six miles, you
reach the plateau, or level plain, of the
ridge, which is here from two to three miles
in breadth. From the sides and eminen.
ces of this plain, a prospect opens on the
sight which no pen can describe. The
county town of Winchester, twelve miles
distant is plainly inview. Farms Of va.
rous size dot the valleys below.
An unhrok on forest covers the noun.