The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-05-23
The University.

d
son Davis, ]. c. Breckinridge, 2. B. Vance,
and other insurgent leaders, as Honorary
MAJ ayers. AS soon as this conduct was
brought to tine 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 member of the Executive Com
mittee, and has always taken lively lyinterest
in the University. It was, therefore, pecu-
liarly 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. -sf5
We eapprehend 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
NJ Bolts. fthere be any disposition to invite
such "notaJilities" to Chapel Hill, that dispo-
sition has not thus far been manifested
We have no roncealments on this or any
other subject. We have been and we are yet
friends to the University. We were gratifed
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
political or partizan machine-if its cherish
ell notabilities are to be such persons as JEFF
ferson Davis, ]. G. Breckinridge and Zehu-
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
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, 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 a 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
ofthe 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, 9th May, 1866.
My DEAR SIR You cannot have been
more surprised and mortified than was at
the indiscreet proceedings of the Ball Mama
! gers in the matter to which your letter refers.
would feel it still more deeply if supposed
| it were true reflex of the sober second
thought of the great body of our young men,
or even of the Ball Managers themselves.
A desire to attract crowd at Commence
ment, by creating the impression that great
notabilities might be expected to be present,
lies at the foundation of this folly.
At the first meeting of the Faculty after
this transaction came to light, resolutions ex-
pressing their views in decided terms were
unanimously adopted and communicated to
the parties concerned. These resolutions, as
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
Literary Societies to select the Orator to de-
liver the addresses at Commencement, the
Seniors to choose the Clergyman to deliver
the Valedictory sermon to the class, the whole
body of the students to appoint the Ball
Managers and the latter to select Honorary
Managers for the purpose as expressed in the
first communication ever promulgated. of
giving dignity and stability to the Ball.
The first appointment was rendered in
compliment to the gubernatorial office to me
in the Spring of 1885. declined it. Pres
ident Caldwell died on the 28th of January
preceding, and the Executive Committee had
appointed Professor Anderson to deliver a
Funeral Grafton at Commencement, and |
advised the young men then, as would have
done in the present instance, if had been
consulted, or had I suspected their designs
that the condition of things around US called
for anything else than festive demonstrations
have no mode Of preventing occasional
outrages of this nature than that suggested
some years since, when Arch Bishop Hughes
was invited to deliver the Valedictory ser
mon to the Senior Glass the adoption of an
Ordinance requiring all nominations of this
character to be submitted to the Executive
Committee for confirmation.
With sincere thanks for your prompt at
4 tention to this matter, remain, tf=-c
Very sincerely and truly,
Your friend and servant,
! B, F. MOORE, Esq. D. L. SWAIN.