Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-09-21
Literary Notice,
1-'OH--@F 9tNItHN1oa

Literary Notice.
The following pamphlet has been laid upon our
table:
THE UvEasTg THE soUTB An address delivered at Beer
shea springs, Tenn August 18Th and 9e Iss9 and also BY
invitation The hzfoeal Society Of TsnReee, at the Capt.
tos Nashville septsuber STU 1889. bF WILLIAM eILEs DIX
Nashville W BERRY 4 Co.
There must be something in the atmosphere Of
Tennessee peculiarly favorable to education, one
great religious denomination, the Methodist Epseo-
pal Church South, has lighted upon Nashville as
the lO,ation for great Central University for the
Southern States and another, the Protestant Epis-
eOpal Church, imposing IN the zeal, intelligence
wealth and influence of its mCmbers. has fixed upon
Beersbeba Springs in the very centre Of the State,
for the erection Of central Institution for eduea-
tiOn q scale such as has never been attempted in
the South.
The States which are concerned in the vast work
undertaken, are those of Tennessee, North and
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida. Alabama, Mtssis-
sippi, L9uisiaDs, Texas, and Arkansas. The Bsh-
ops and Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Churches
throughout these States are actively engaged in the
promotion of the enterprise, and all the members
of that denomination have their sympathies aud
active cooperation earnestly enlisted
The location selected is that which of late has
been called the Beersheba spriogs, where msgnif-
cent grant Of ten thousand acres has constituted
the future domain of the University. The spot is
said be uDrivalled for the richness Of its soil and
the diversified beauty of its scenery. The trustees
have wisely restored to it the name Of SeEanee,
which it aneienly held in common with the Ehale
table land of the Cumberland mountsius and the
Cumberland river; name Of kindred IBdian origin
with that of Savannah and Of the Shawnee Indians,
branch of the powerful tribe whose influence once
extended from the southern Mississippi to the APP
palachisn chain.
The financial basis on which The school is built
is worthy OF the powerful church which has origin
ated it. Two millions of dollars is the endoEment
ultimately contemplated, and in view of The re-
peated failures Of previous educational enterprises
in the South, il has been most wisely determined
not to break ground for building purposes until
half million is already in hand subscribed and
secured. In reference TO this arrangement Mr..
DIX expresses himself as follows:
To some, this resolution would seem TO have PAL
sled the enteTpIizo. The result has shown that the
men who so resolved, kneW " tn whom they bad 20
do. From the report Of the committee II appeared
that two lhlrus OF Jbi5 sum hai DtCn Taleed, ana
that the srester part of the remaining third had
been pl dyed by reliable parties. Now, only les
days sf,tr the meeting Of the Trustees. 80 much
has been aided 20 he sum alreedy subscribed,
ut the waoie amount may be regarded as secnrei.
The cLIf fence Of me3 OF business accustomed 10
consider investments ia all their htaring', has
beea gained A bold aim, clearly announced, has
challenged respect and found support. A umid
policy would have won but half the day
TAoro 80, ho "a dapbt thou of tho nntarnriga 90
Jag into immediate and active operation or Of its
bsinE well furnished With all the appliances Of
educ ltiOn and its chairs filed With of the high
est auaifeati ms that Amercs aud Europe can sap
ply Cnn we over-estimats the Importance Of cher
ishng such aa institution within oar confines.
Apart from the educational advantages furnished to
Jouth within reach OF their homes, and the cOncen
traion of capital from al parts of the South, the
very presencs Of large number OF learned and
gifted men in all the department, of science is of
insstimable value, tending to elevate, refine, and
sanstify the whole structure Of society.
Bus most important consideration is the imper-
alive necessity Of rendering the South Independent
in an intellectual point of view Of the Northern
cities to which she IS now tributary We cannot
better present this view Of the qcestion thau by
quoti ~ the pamphlet of Mr. DIX the whole of which
will well repay perusal
Has not the South sent to the cour els Of the
States and Of the Nation men of high endoWmenis
as scholars and statesmeD? Will not the South
seek to continue and even to make stronger Deeper
higher, broader, this intellectual fOrceI Can she
find so good way TO do If, as to found a conso-
dated University, which shall gather 10 its classic
shades the best minds, and fit them, by courses of
ments of Science and Letters, for arduous yet hon
orable lsbors OF the ststesman-seholar? The whole
country needs high order of statesmen. The South
needs them. IT. as Americans, we do not strive to
educate thoroughly the men whom We wish 10 rep
resea at u.s. at home aud abroad, if We let neisy poll
ticisns wear the civic crowns which belong to the
brows of accom- lished statesmen; if place in
power men, who have no comprehensive views of
duty but those only who have learned to play over
and over again, like hGnd-orgaDs, those tunes that
catch ears and catch votes, but add discord only TO
those majestic barmenies that come down to US,
through 1.-THE corridors Of time" from the early
councils of the nation if we are willing to be rep
resented abroad By men who are Lot, in character
aad ability gentlemen, patriots, equal to their
work; tben let US bniid moae Colleges. Let
those already established fail into decay; let
own sadly her defeat; let the world
point the finger CT 10 the land OF sublime ex-
perments and woful failures viii the SOuta be
content with her snare OF L1lS fcprOAC1 VIII she
fold her arms end say nothing, nothing, to avert
this catastrophe 10 avoid those civic terriers which
loom up with gigantic gloom IN the future? No.
she will net. million voices VIII thunder Ne. A
mil ions haEds will be ready build the fortresses
.aat shall defend America frsm such fate. Bald,
hen, your University; huIld il On the solid rock
Build it on this broad-tOpped mountain. Here are
no quicKssnds to draw down 10 destruct on the I'M
lucky feet placed upon them No levees needed
here, to keep of the flood Look at yonder bluffs
that show their gray faces among tho fcres!B that
skirt the sides OF the opposite ridge. They look as
if ten thousand 8rtillCrics could not shake them or
such rocky foundations are these hills, though
beautiful plains adoTn their broad SUBMITS Let
the University be a solid rock, that shalt stand un-
shaken, if the bast must come; and, when the rage
Of the winds is over and the have spd and
the terrible hlacE Of tne SKY has yielded 10 IN
serenity Of Heavens uRCoufed blue; max the tow
cas- Of the University be seen, rising high in the
air, not a stone displaced. not creVica made; but
peri, ct, beautiful Grecisn Art, sublime Rs the
citadel Of God.
There are no vain apprChcnsioE'. The rine q
coming it nay be very near, when all the Intellectual
forces Of America will be needed when they will
be strained 10 the Gtm Jst tension, to defend Amer-
can onor aud 20 secure American institutions No
part of the land will need them more than the
South. Let the wise ponder and bestow their zeal
and gifts if in truth, these be called gifts, which
10 m st good to the givers. Your University comes
not 10 your doors, 10 solicit your charity. She
cmss brsvely to ask, if you willing, by endoW-
ing hor, to end3W aud deiead yourselves.