Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-19
From the Republican Banner.
University of the south.
BERsHEBA SPRINGS, Aug. IS, 1859.

MEssRs. EDIroRs:-The Board of Trustees
of the University of the South has just clos d
another annual meeting, the proceedings of
which will soon be published to the world
There was large representation in at
tendance. every Diocese except Texas, being
represented, either in the Episcopal order
or by clerical or lay delegates. The session
was one of great harmony, and the result OF
its deliberations calculated to inspire the
feeling that the grand enterprise which the
Board has taken in hand is now one of no
DOUBTFUL consequence. Every thing points to
successful contamination. God speed the
work.
The various committees appointed at the
annual meeting rendered reports upon the
objects with which they had been charged.
except the committee to prepare a Constitu-
ton for the government of the University.
Two prominent members of that committee,
one OF whom was the chairman, having been
occupied, at the time agreed upon for meeting
in the important business of collecting the
endowment, it was not called together during
the year. But the members of that commit-
tee have not been idle. In the mean time
they have been collecting information from
every quarter, and 10y every available means;
and when called together, as they will be in
the course ola few months, they will be able
to enter upon the duty assigned them, with
greatly increased facilities for giving proper
shape to their plans aud bringing their Woi k
TO successful termination.
But as is well known, the principal object
OF this meeting was 80 receive the report of
the commissioners appointed to raise the en-
dowment for the University, and to take such
action thrrcupon as the exiuoncios of the Case
should demand.
Owing to circumstances beyond their con-
troll, the commissioners had been able TO de-
vote only few weeks to the work with which
they were charged. Their operations we're
confined almost entirely to Louisiana, in con-
sequence of having made New Orleans the
basi of their operations. Nor did they by
any means exhaust even that field. Aud yet
the result was S363, $780, in cash, bonds and
notes payable IN available periods, and over
$4,000, in pledges from entirely reliable
sources, 10 be fulfilled within short period.
This last sum was not included in their report,
inasmuch as II had not been actually secured
by bonds or notes.
In the opinion of the commissioners, the
minimum amount fixed by the Board, in their
declaration OF fundamental principles, tu-wit:
100000 could have been easily secured hy
skimming the surface OF the associated Do
ceses; but IN view of the magnitude Of the
enterprise undertaken, and the very large
amount OF capital necessary 10 put it iito
operation, and 10 carry il on successfully, they
deemed it expedieat to suspend further exer-
tons until such time n they could Canvass
thoroughly each particular Diocese. From
the intelligent appreciation of the enterprise
In which they we're enlisted, aud the generous
libefaiiIy with which they We're universally
met, they felt fully authorized TO assure the
Board that they regarded the securing OF the
entire endowment as IA thing beyond all ques-
ton. The commissioners were re appointed
by the Board aud also an Executive Commit
..fa r.a4. =
breaking ground of the University site. so
soon as the minimum sum stipulated should
be received.
The committee met on the day succeeding
the adjournment ot the Board, and adopted
such measures rs will enable them to COM
menee operations vigorously at an early day.
The nex, meeting OF The Board Will b. held ia
New osieAns. on the seeoud Wednesday IA
February. 1850.
Everything now looks hopeful and encour-
aging. What In the beginning looked like
Romance, Is last assuming the hue aad shape
OF sober reality. Again we gay, God snead
the glorious work. p