The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-10-05
The University Of the South.

1t is pleasant to divert ones glance rom the
lurid glare and firery light of political eoh1ro-
versy. saws the Mobile Register, to conteui-
plate the peaceful conquests ofpatriotism IN
other and purer spheres. OF vastly more
practical Importance to the best interests u
the South than the election of this man or ''iA'
man, is an enterprise magnificent IN eohceP-
ton, bold and vigorous in executon-"i i'n
has been Quietly but steadily progressing ior
several wears. 1t is designed 10 give " 'iie
so,,tb n seat of learning, which shall compete
in its appliances and facilities with the world
ronowned Universities of Europe, and lar sur
-.,sos .nv rival on the western continent.
This is no mere dream of benevolent enthu-
| s;asts. events SO far have shown that the pro-
;act rests on the broadcast and safest basis, and
that its feasibility is beyond doubt When
IL first assumed tangible form, offers, of
liberal grants of lands and magnificent pecu-
MARY donations by cities and rural communi-
ties poured in upon the Committee of Location
to influence its decisions The committee
wisely resisted the most seductive temptations,
and in the selection of the site determined to
keep in view the permanent veal and ultimate
prospects of the institution, therefore avoiding
large city on the one hand and wilderness
on the other. The maxim that guided their
deliberations was, that a national University
must build up a town and not be built by one
1t is thus that Oxford and Cambridge have
gradually grown into existence. In other
words, national seats of learning, like the ma
tionai seat of government should be on neutral
ground. Sewsnee in Grundy county, Ten
nessee seemed to possess every desirable quail
ifcation, in reference to health accessibility,
and yet the desirable isolation. The tract ac-
quired for university purposes amounts to
nearly 10000acres ofland, has been thoroughly
surveyed, and its capacities carefully determ-
ined; the grounds are already placed under
the direction of landscape gardner to be laid
off with due regard to taste, comfort and con-
| venience. To ensure against unforeseen in
terruDtions and embarTassments, the building
will not be commenced until half million
dollars are clearly disponible. Of this sum,
$685., $50 have been received in cash, bonds and
notes, payable in available periods; and an adj
ditional amount of $4,000 is pledged from
responsible persons. The collections for all
purposes, special professorships fellowships,
etc., etc., WILL there is every reason to believe,
fall not short of one and half millions of dol
lars.
The University of the South will be no
slavish imitation OF any model however illus
trious. In its organization it will be guided
by generous election and take for its rule of
condnct the advice Of st. Paul: Prove all
things, hold fast that which is good Those
inyeterate defects which past age has en-
grated on older institutions and which have
become vital portions Of them will becarefully
avoided, and a system adopted which shall be
proper to our age, our necessities, our genius,
a thriving plant of our own soil, and not an
artifcially transplanted exotic. Having a
wider and higher range than our State Cole
ges, the University will not trench on their
interests, but will be their most valuable friend
and they its most valuable tributaries Its
| faculties will be complete and extending be-
yond sterile academic education. The ly-
ing languages, the natural sciences, agriculture,
all the practical requirements Of modern times
viii be entitled to equal rank and equal honor
with the classic lore of antiquity. The most
liberal compensation will be awarded to scrupu-
lously selected talent, and there is every pros
pect that some Of the best minds from every
cline will cluster together on the mountain pla-
teauof Sewanee. A few years ago, when the pro-
ject was yet in its incipient stage, one of the
most distinguished Northern professors spoke
oft to the present writer as one of the great
est conceptions of the age, and intimated that
he would feel himself honored by call, and
conceive how attractive to vigorous original
mind national effort like that at Sewanee
must be, what magnificent field it offers to
an ambitious intellect
| 1t must be kept in view that this great seat
of learning is not intended as merely an Epis-
copaI College. Although originating in the
bosom of the Protestant Episcopal Church
presided over by its heads, and fostered by its
most distinguished and influential laity, the
University is national and not sectarian
idea. The Church designs no propagandist
policy; it will necessarily control the chair of
theology and make that faculty its principal
seminary, but further than this it is justly
content with the immense accession Of moral
power which cannot but acquire from the glory
of having conceived and embodied the great
Southern idea of the age. A catholic spirit,
embracing all denominations and free from any
purpose Of proselytism, will preside over
patriotic work in which all Southerners of
whatever creed are equally interested.