The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-02-17
From the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin.
THE EFFORT TO FOUND A GREAT
UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH.

have on several occasions referred to
the effort that was commenced in
1856 to found in the South Univcr-
sity that should answer all the purpo-
ses for which such an institution is
wanted; one that should equal, in its
appointments and apparatus, any u
University either in America or Europe.
1t is not all improbable that some of
our readers dismissed the idea at the
time with a smile, as one of those
meaningless bubbles that sometimes
spring up in the South; one of those
cphcmera that rise with the cxhala-
tons Of the morning, bask their but
terAy wings in the meridian sun, and
expire with the setting of the fiery
orb. If any Of them so thought, how
ever, they made a mistake, The idea
had nothing to do with the ephemera
at all. 1t did not and does not partakc
of their nature or attributes in any
respect. 1t is destined to live and
grow. 1t partakes rather Of the ma
turc Of the acorn. 1t was cast into
fertile soil, and is already up and put
ting forth vigorous shoots and leaves.
With the blessings usually attendant
upon Industrious and skill(ul culture,
it bids fair to become a great oak,
whose foliage Shall be pleasant to
look upon, and its fruit grateful to the
palate and nourishing to the body
Planted upon the elevated and heal
thy table lands of Tennessee, it will
spring up so high and send forth
branches so extensive that every
Southern State will behold it and re-
pose beneath its outrageous shade.
The originators and advocates of
this great measure Of sclt.protcction,
if we may so express ourselves, did
not undertake it rashlv or unadvised-
ly. On the contrary, they fully ap,
prociated the nature and magnitude
Of what they proposed to do. They
counted the cost, and considered clear
ly AMI calmly every step they took
We may say that they have felt their
way along from the first hour Of the
undertaking to its present compare
lively developed state. slowly and
therefore securely. They have not
made single false step, and they have
taken "no step Backward The work
has advanced steadily and satisiaclo.
riIy since the commencement, and its
success is already placed beyond
question.
The location Of the institution has
been determined upon, and to the full
and complete satisfaction Of the par
ties interested. This was n matter
Of great Importance, difficulty and
delicacy, and the happy settlement OF
the question is a most auspicious au-
curry Of the future triumph and entire
success of the undertaking. The ST.
uS contains nine thousand acres Of
ground and is a free gift to the insti-
tuition. A Board OF Trustees has been
organized, d charter from the Tcnncs-
Legislature, containing everything
that the Board desired, has been OBJ
tanned, the land surveyed, and inGor-
nation with reference to the general
design and construction Of the build
ings, laying out of the grounds, and
the general plan of the University, its
apparatus and gymnasia, has been
asked for from all the leading Collie
ges and educationiSts Of this country,
and Of Europe. The whole matter
has been placed in charge Of COM
mttcc Of distinguished gentlemen who
will report, in the course Of the ensu-
ing Spring or summer, an eclectic plan
containing whatever there may be of
excellence in existing institutions,
American and European, which will
de adopted and contracts for the work
at once given out. We need not say
that the spot chosen as tho site Of the
University is Sewance, upon the pla-
tcau of the Cumberland Mountains,
| near the Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad, in the southeast corner of
| Tennessee, and at no great distance
| from its intersection with Alabama,
Georgia and North Carolina. Its sur
vey has established the fact that the
region abounds in almost every de-
scription of buildning material, such
as sandstone, marble, ETC., as well as
coal, timber, and numberless springs
of the purest water No healthier
place can be found in the United
States, and no one that exceeds it per-
haps in the variety, beauty, and pic
turesqueness of its natural scenery
| 1t is accessible by railroads fom all
points of the South-thirty-six hours
will be abundant time for the student
to reach the University from New