The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-12-23
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.

/ uTcsS Ol DisHOp wy W H'o SohNVHtiob,
which contains q succinct account of
the proceedings connected with the
location ofthe University of the South,
which account, we believe, has not
been generally read. As the action
of the Board in regard to location has
elected no little comment and con-
troversy,it it is perhaps due them that
the statement below, which we copy
should 90 out with such comment;
No sooner had the committee on To-
cation begun its work of examination
of the advantages Of different sites,
than it was met by the offer of large
pecuniary and otherr recommendations,
from nearly all the various localities
which preferred claims to be accepted.
! TO all such suggestions and offers one
uniform answer was given, viz: The
University is not to be put to the high
est bidder in the offer OF pecunary
consideration; there are three primary
and indispensable conditions which
take precedence of all other considera-
tons, and to which all others are
secondary, and these are: FIRST, health
subsidiary to which are pure air and
an ample supply of pure iree-stC ne
water. Secondly, accessibility. The
site must be within the countries rep
represented in the Board in three or
four days travel by the ordinary
means Of conveyance.
Thirdly, facility of obtaining sup
plies, including, besides provisions,
materials for building, fuel, &c.-
Wherever these primary conditions
were fully met, there was to be the
chosen site. Such was the answer
given to all concerned, whether the
claimant to preference was an inhabi-
tant of the mountain or the plain.
In so grave matter, involving in
tcrcSts 50 important, the committee
were unwilling to rest the decision OF
the Board, on any recommendation
which they might give. They en-
pIoycd an engineer of national reputa-
ton to form a corps for Typographical
surveys and explorations, OF the best
assistants hc could engage. He was
furnished with prioted series Of
questions, embracing all the topics of
interest entering into the inquiries OF
the Board. to which questions lie was
asked to return specific replies, loun'
dcd on actual observations at each
locality SO long AS those interested in
it desired, and were willing to dciray
the expenses of survey.
The reports of the corps OF engineers
together with plots showing the pecu
Iiariics Of local position, the elevation
above the sca-Icvel, as well as the
: level Of the surrounding country, ano
all other information gained, were
laid belor the committee OF location
at Montgomry, between the 18th anc
25th Of November. The committees
then awaited themselves of the repre-
scniations Of persons appearing IN be-
| half of the different sites competing
for preference, and heard their state
mcnts personally. On all this inior'
alton the committee rested their rep
ort to the Board, without recommend
ing any one spot for the site OF the
University, After the report OF the
committee was laid before the Board
accompanied by all the statements o
parties interested, the Board thought
proper to admit persons claiming tc
understand the advantages of thei
; respective localities. and to hear from
them all that they wished to urge il
behalf OF their claims to preference
Never was proceedings more fair
open, and just to all parties.
The Board proceeded to decide th'
question OF loo by ballot, the bish
p, ops for Themselves, the clergy and lalt,
: unitedIy for themselves. Two.thlrd
of the bishops. in concurrence witt
two-thirds Of the clergy and lalt.
: were necessary to decide the question
, After seventeen trials, the rcqulrs'
vote was given in favor Of Sewanc'
, Mountain. near the Nashville " Chat
tanooga Railroad, and the decision o
: the Board recorded and published II
favor of ScWanee, ''nemine cOntrdd'
center
= The attempts since made to disturb
that decision and to question its WIS
dom, while they manifest the interes
of the public in the matter, prove YER
. conclusively the wisdom OF foresight
u and caution which governed the CON
), mittee of location in collecting infoI
u nation. and of the Board in reachln
its conclusion. Ifthc settlement OF tn
! question upon such premises, after IA
u the pains taking and care to avail
;, all information accessible, be NJ
enough to secure public confidence
C the decision made, then we may de!
r pair of having that confidence undo
e any circumstances. For myself, bay
q no fears as to the result. feel pc
fectly confident that the public vot
will sustain the action of the Board |
an acclaim that will put to rest, al
|" forever. all efforts to disturb the settl
n ment Of the question now made, I
N matter whether they spring from no
y est convictions, mortified pride,
,r disappointed scllishness.
1t When the English first settled Ne
e. England, and began to plow the Ian
e the Indians would for days togethe
'r follow the newly turned ny furrov
OIL with great delight, until they learne