The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-03-10
From the New OrIeans lee.
THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

crn University, which should concen-
tratc and combine within itself the
manifold advantages by the most cell
ebrated shoaslic institutions of the
North, and should provide for South.
ern Students the most thorough, cx.
tensive and complete system of in
struction, untrammellcd by scctaran
influences, and unimparcd by the in
sidious teaching Of sectional antipa-
thies. The enterprise, noble and glo.
rious as it was, has hitherto failed.
partly because it was not initiated
under fitting auspices, and partly be-
cause those who planned it were disa-
oicd by circumstances from giving it
that earnest, unrcmitling and syste-
matte attention necessary TO arouse
public consideration and to ensure
public patronage. The lack OF u super
eminent educational institution in the
South--ono that would ovcrtop all
others; which, by the means at its
disposal and the professional ability it
might command, would necessarily
become the great Southern University
the cynosurc and centre of all
scholastic lcarning--has long been
acknowledged: but for the reasons
briefly limited at, as well rs on account
OF a certain predominant apathy in
the South, not easily overcome, every
successive undertaking Of the kind
has been abandoned in despair, after
unaYailing efforts to give it II practi-
cal direction and a prospect Of carly
success.
There are minds. however, so i'm
bucd with an innate energy, and so
fortified in the conviction that what is
ightiul and just must eventually pre-
vail, as prrSiStcntIy to struggle on in
the midst oIdiScouragcmcnt animated
by Il prophetic feeling Of ultimate
triumph, Thus has it been with the
conSccrAtrd heads OF the Southcm
Episcopal Church. The Bishops of
ten di0cc>cS took this matter in hand
some years since; and in spite of "A
thousand obstacles. Of di>hcartcning
delays, Of confident predictions OF
railurc, and Of the deadly torpor oI
Southern feeling, they have nobly
pcrscvcrcd in The great and patriotic
labor, until the Southern University
has become something more real and
tangible than fond anticipation, or
II utopian dream.
We have before us the address iss-
ucd by the Board Of Trustees to the
Southern Diocese, in which are set
forth the controlling reasons which
have induced them to select Il certain
spot AS the site Of the proposed Uni,
vcrsity. 1t was manifest that the
considerations by which their choice
would be governed would be the cen
traIity Of the location, the saIubrty
Of the climate, the accessibility of the
place, the convcncnccs for the cree
ton Of suitable buildings, and compar
alivc proximity to the students
homes. All these advantages, it i.
believed, have been united to the sit,
which the Board has chosen at Scwa
nee. 1T stands upon an elevated pIa
teau Of the Cumberland mountain
I 1900 feet above the level Of the sea
possessing a climate equivalent tt
that Of Flat Rock in North Carolina
The surrounding country present:
many features Of picturesque beauty
the soil is rich in building stone, anC
the forests abound in timber. 1t ha,
coal mines at its very door, Onc o
the richest farming regions of tho
/ West lies ut its foot. 1t is almost en-
circIcd by meshcs Of railway commu
nicatOn, 50 that the student from an!
part Of the South, Save Texas, vii
be within iorty-cight hours diStanc'
of the University. The lands donated
to the Diocese comprise several thou
sand acres, particularly adapted l.
the projected University.
And now that this alI-importan
pre- requisite has been accomplished
and that the ground is ready to rccciv
the cornerstone Of the imposin
structure which is hereafter to b
dedicated to the mumentous intcres
of Southern Education, the cxemplar
prcatcS who have initiated that nobl
undertaking can with confidence ap
peal to Southern wealth, intelligence
and patriotism 10 render prompt an
muniliccnt aid towards its early con
pletion. Let none be deferred frol
cooperation by the fear that I'll
teachings of the University will a
sumc a certain character. AIthouS
founded by IA denomination Of Chrl'
tians, the Trustees contemplate IN
,bcnIut, .ycluSion or Sln.-