The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-25
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH.
ADDRESS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

10 the Members and Friends of the Protestant Episcopal
religious training Of the young within the Dioceses Of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida. Ala
bama, Mississippi. Louisiana, Texas Arkansas and
Tennessee, greettngs
Dear Haepds. ana Brethren:
It was q favorfte saying Of our beloved Bishop
Polk, that "a great thought necer dies" And it
cannot be doubted that this conviction Frightened
The last trying years Of his life. with regard to the
assisted IN commencing at this place.
1t is now q little more than ten years since that
great and good man first called the attention Of
his brethren in the Episcopal Office to the urgent
highest order, conducted under the sacred sanc-
lions Of religion; and clearly pointed out how just
ly the obligations Of patriotism demanded OF the
Church that she should place at the service Of our
country the whole Of her strength for the intellec-
tual and moral training OF her youth. For as
every well-governed State secures liberty and pro-
lection to its citizens in the exercise Of their
Ggion, 80 should they in their turn, both in their
individual and ecclesiastical capacity, do all In
their power to uphold her just authority by an en-,
Ightened patriotism, and tho diffusion of sound
intellectual and moral sentiments.
It was accordingly proposed that the several
Dioceses Of North Carolina, South Carolina, Geor
gis, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi Louisiana,
founding, on the most enlarged and liberal scale,
an Institution which should not only lead our
youth along the highest walks Of literature and
science, but train them in the higher and holier
ways of religious knowledge; and send forth, year
by year, corps Of instructors, to dispense through
our whole beloved South the benefits Of their own
sound attainments and superior religious training.
It was further proposed that this Institution,
whilo opening its doors to all, should be under
the sole direction and control OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church. For experience had fully proved
that no educational enterprise had ever fourished
for any length Of tune, without being upheld by
the State, or else taken under the patronage
of some religious denomination. Though many
Schools and Colleges were at that time dottug our
soil from the Rappahannock to the Rio Grande, it
room for another especially one OF higher order,
which from its superior advantages, might prove
the fruitful pirent Of many others OF lower degree,
and thus dlffuse its manifold blessings through
the length and breadth Of our land.
This proposed undertaking met with the cor.
dial and ready approval OF the Church, and OF
thousands Of others, who longed to see a higher
standard Of education, and OF religious obligation
set up among US: Trustees were promptly ap-
pointed by each Diocese 10 represent it's interests,
and aid in putting the scheme in operation. In
order to secure the cheerful cooperation OF every
portion of the Church, these Trustees were select
ell equally fro DO h the Clerical and Lay Orders,
and made the guardians of such sums as might
The first question OF any difficulty was
the selection Of the best site for the pro-
posed ins -ituton. The objects most to be desired
in such q location were IN the first place health
fulness; then an abundant supply of the necessa-
ries OF life; and thirdly, position easy of access
and as nearly central possible to the several Dio-
ceses engaged in the enterprise. After friendly
competition between several localities, each OF
which presented many of the desired advantages,
the present site was fixed upon which is plateau
or piece o table land in franklin County, Tennes-
see, near the Southern termination Of tho Cumber-
land range. On this mountain top-an elevation
Of $50 feet above the adjacent country, and 1000
above the sea--there were found, by the commits
sioners appointed for the purpose, more adyan-
tages than could reasonably have been looked for
in any one place. A sohd body of land, nine thou
sand acres in extent, was cheerfuy given to u.s.;
in the centre of which, for removed from the ordi-
Institutions our University buildings were to be
placed If to tho advantages Of this extensive
DOMAIN there be added the accessibleness of its
position, the cheapness and abundance OF the
from the prevailing diseases OF our climate,
an inyigorating atmosphere, numerous and
unfailing springs of freestone, limestone,
and chalybeate waters, variety OF magnificent
prospects; overlooking fertile valleys, thriving viii
lagos, rocky gleus, extensive woodlands, and lear
full precipices; and moreover, pleasant soil, with
gently llndulating surface, abounding with every
variety of material for building purposes; if oil
this be put together it will convincingly appear
that more eligible location could hardly else
where be found.
It is also practical question OF no little mpor-
tance in the present condition Of our country,
that in consequence of tho site Of the University
being placed in tho immediate vicinity OF one OF
the richest agricultural sections of Middle Tennes-
see, tho principal expense Of attendance, upon
school, that Of board, can here be afforded at
rate far below the average of existing Institutions
so that the amount now given us will probably be
more than repaid by many, by the diminished ex-
peuse of educating their children.
To these natural advantages. there was added,
by the Legislature OF Tennessee, charter OF the
most ample powers and provisions. A few weeks
only were occupied in getting up q reliable
subscription Of four hundred thousand dol
lars. The foundation corner stone Of our main
building was laid with becoming religious