The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-05-19
The University.

Wepublish below aletter from Gov. Swain,
President of the University, to B. F. Moore,
ESQ.,, in which the former characterizes in
appropriate terms the conduct of some of the
students in issuing Ball ticket with Jeffer-
son Davis, ]. c. Breckenridge, 2. B. Vance,
and other insurgent leaders, Honorary
Managers. As soon as this conduct was
brought to the attention of Mr. Moore he
wrote to Gov. Swain on the subject, express
ing his condemnation of it in the most deci-
ded terms and we are glad to find that Gov.
S. concurs with Mr.. Moore, as will be seen by
his letter. Mr.. Moore is one of the oldest
Trustees, is a member of the Executive Com
mittee, and has always taken lively interest
in the University. 1t was, therefore, pecu-
iarly appropriate that he should be among
the first to call the attention of President
Swain and the Faculty to this very improper
action on the part of the students The Fac
ulty promptly expressed its disapprobation
of the conduct of the students; and at a
meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Trustees, in this City, the resolutions of the
Faculty were approved.
We apprehend there.was something more
than " a desire to attract a crowd at Com
mencement, by creating the impression that
great notabilities might be expected to be
present" There are many notabilities, or
persons of distinction, who have taken no
part in the rebellion, but who have staked
their lives to preserve the government; and
among them we may mention President
johnson, Gen. Winfield Scott, and Hon. john
M. Bolts. Fthere be any disposition to invite
such nota6ilities" to Chapel Hill, that dispo-
sition has not thus far been manifested.
We have no roncealments on this or anv
other subject We have been and we are yet
friends to the University. We were gratified
when the Legislature made an appropriation
to enable it to resume operations; and our
only regret was that the State was not able
to do any thing for common schools. But
if the University is to be converted into a
political or partizan machine-if its cherish
ed notabilities are to be such persons as JEFF
ferson Davis, ]. G. Breckenridge and Zebu-
lon B. Vance-if the influences that proceed
from it are to be rather against than in favor
OF the government of the United States. |
then we say let it sink at once. The people |
of this State will not be taxed to support a |
political University, or an institution which |
does not inculcate respect for the government
of the United States and the most thorough
submission to its authority.
The truth is, 81 the boys" at Chapel Hill
are like many, very many of the " old folks |
at home" Almost every influence in high |
places and in domestic circles in this State, |
is detrimental to the growth of sound, heart
felt loyalty. We are not surprised that the
boys" should catch and manifest as they
have done, something of the spirit of the
times. In the judgment of very many they
have only acted imprudently" That is
all. But it is well to remember that they are
already making record for the future, and
that few years hence, they may have occa-
sion to regret that they looked no higher for
lights to guide their footsteps than the still
unrepentant, unsubdued leaders of the Great
Rebellion. If these leaders are distinguish
ed, and therefore worthy. of special honor
it is because of their attempt to strike down
and destroy the best government the world
ever saw. We do not include Gen. Cox Zone
Of the Honorary Managers in these remarks,
as we believe that he has seen his error, and
has submitted in good faith to the ma
tional authority.
CHAPEL HILL, 5th May, 1856.
MY DEAR SR:-You cannot have been
more surprised and mortified than 1 was at
the indiscreet proceedings of the Ball Mana
gers IN the matter to which your letter refers.
=! would feel it still more deeply if supposed
~ II were a true reflex of the sober second
enougn' o! the great body of our young men,
or even OF the Ball Managers themselves.
A desire to attract a crowd at Commence
creai ;S the impression that great
lies at the foundation of this folly. i'''
-, !: At the firs i, meeting Of the Faculty after
pressing their views in decided terms nere
unanimously adopted and comlnunicated To
the parties concerned. These resolntions ss
in similar cases heretofore, will be laid before
the Trustees Immediately.
The course pursued from the foundation of
these observances has been to permit the two