Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-30
Unixer.isy OF the sensh.
,rrespOndence Of the Picayune J

J
SAVANNAH, GA, Dec. Il. 1859.
MEssRs EprroRs: Your readers will be
pleased TO bear, in these times specially,
something OF the progress Of the University
of the South.
They may remember that at the meeting
held in August last, the committee TO whom
had been entrusted the duty of preparing a
constitution and statutes prescribing the
plan of organization, and system and range
of obstruction, reported and asked leave 10
sit again.
In their report they stated, they had been
collecting materials for the performance of
their work, Lat were not yet in possession of
all they deemed nece sary. They had accrss
20 large number Of European publications.,
in the public aud other libraries of the
country. and through correspondence they
bad opened with The Government at Wash
ington, they had obtained the latest exposi-
tions of tie working details Of the principa al
uniyersiti,s, COLI ges and other institutions
of learning of France and the German
States. and were now collecting those Of
Great Britain and our own country. They
desired also TO have the advantage of per-
sonal examination Of the leading colleges.
universities and other schools of The United
States. All Of which they hoped 10 accom-
plish in time for meeting they proposed to
hold i'll this city in the last OF November.
The request of the committee was granted
by the Board, and all they desired they have
been able 10 effect to the extent OF their
wishes.
Through the American Ambassador in
England. and other sources, they have OBJ
taucd large amount OF the most valuable
publications, embracing the REPORTS OF Her
Maiesiy's Commissioners. appointed to in
quire into the state, discipline. studies and
revenues of the Universities and Colleges OF
Oxford and Cambridge;f the Report of the
Commits toner's" of the same Government,
appointed to consider the best mode of re
cognizing the 5, stem for training officers for
The scientific corps" the Reports on, and
Calendars of, the Queens University, Ire
land - "King's College, London :" f" the
London University :" together with reports
on Il number of schools of law, medicine. the
ology, agricultural colleges, schools of APP
piled science, of art, &c. As many principles
embraced in the programmes of these various
institutions in Great Britain and on the con-
tiuent OF Europe have been introduced to a
greater or less extent into the universities,
colleges aud other schools Of our own coun-
Try, il were desirable to make personal OBJ
servation OF their working on American soil.
Members of the committee have been occupied
therefore, in visiting and examining all the
principal educational establishments of the
United StateS-those of the CarOlinas, the
Univereity of Virginia, Harry ard, &c.-and in
communication, by letter or otherwise, with
such minds elsewhere might aid Them in
the solution of the problem assigned them.
While their task was Que OF great labor and
responsibility, it was lessened by the large
amount of material ut their command. An
amount, indeed, comprising the results OF The
experience of mankind III the higher walks
OF hu:aan learning.
Their work was not so much one of inven-
ton as OF selection, elimination and arrange
ment. Being indisposed to embark on the
sea of untried experiment. they have deemed
it wiser TO accept the conclusions OF the past
aud to cuniine themselves mainly TO digest
Ing such of these as were entitled TO the
greatest consideration, and to working them
up into system applicable TO our peculiar
social and political condition. This work the
committee, now in session, have been occn-
pied with for some days past. III is under
stood they have agreed on the principles
VIII ch shall constitute the basis OF their plan,
aud have made such progress III the details
as TO enable them to determine the character
OF its organization. IL will follow closely no
one system but will be eclectic. 1t Will en-
brace features from the English, the German
aud the French such as have stood the test
OF experience, and combined harmoniously.
When embodied they will, it is believed, pre-
sent to the country all that the most earnest
AID sangune friends of the enterprise could
desire. We may thus have at our own doors
a university in the largest sense, combining
all the best provisions aud appointments Of
tered by the leading institutions Of the most
cultivated States OF Eu ope.
The report of this committee is to be pre-
scented Tor the consideration of the Board of
Trustees at meeting to be held in New Or
leans, on she second Wednesday of February
next In the mean season, the large domain
of the corporation, which Is to be the future
scat Of its operations. is being laid out with
Il special reference 10 the objects for which it
has been secured. Not ouly for the reception
and appropriate disposition of the University
buildings, which may from time To time be
erected, but also for the accommodation OF
that large number of Southern families al
ready designing to make it the place Of th.ir
future residence. the seat of social refinement
as we'll as of letters and science.
Arrangements are also in progress FOR lay
ing the cornerstone of the centre building
some time during the ensuing summer. The
vigor with which the whole work will be
pressed forward to completion, must depend
on the promptiIuie with which our country
men shall respond 10 the application OF the
commissioners appointed 10 raise the enGow-
ment.
These gentlemen, who are members Of the
COMMITTEES on the Constitution. it is under
stood will shortly resume their task. Aud il
is confidently believed that The enlightened
and patriotic zeal and lberality with Which
this part Of the great work has been so sue
cessinlly inauguratcd. ia the gift of tue large
amount already received. Is but an earn st OF
What The mrn OF the South are prepared TO
do to carry it forward TO glorious cousum-
nation.
The students, RESOLUTIONS.