Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-15
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Largest Oircalati0n ia City and State.
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Corespondenee Of ths Union and Dispatch
twill be gratifying 70 the friends Of ed
/ ncatlon 3hrougho0t the South 10 learn that
1 this important enterprise is about to be put
IN successful opesatioB, on the beautiful
grounds selected in 1857, situated Oh the
! platean of the Cumberland mountain. in
theeonnty Of Franklin, and now known as
! University Piace'--Gen. Z. Kirby Smith
a graduate Of West P0int, for some years
! valuable Professor in that eniinsnt institsi.
ton, and gentlenian IN every eay peea.
liarly qualified for the diseiplinine and
training Of young men IN their COLLEGIATE
course, having been recently elected bg the
Board Of Trustees as the Vice Chancellor
Of the institution. A number Of conpe-
tent assistants viii be employed, aud proper
announcement made IN due time.
The pressing demand for such an enter.
prise Was hfsf slirf, ed bgalsat great rg,,l
good nan, The late Right Reverend Leoni
das Polk, IN an address TO the Bishops of
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
States of Tennessee, Alabama. Georgia
Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas. Florida
North and South Carolina. and was com
Cured IN by them short time thereafter.
As originally projected, this University was
70 be uponFhe most approved model andlthe
most extended scale, and was intended TO
place the Southern States in a position Of
absolute independence Of all Others on the
score OF educational advantages in the
higher walks Of learning. To this end the
most liberal endowments were solicited and
obtained, and the greatest care taken To se-
cure the most favorable location of the
many that were suggested and examined
The sad history of the last few wears has
materially lessened the means for The
accomplishment Of this grand work. but
has not lessened the demand for its CON
structien, nor abated The arlor of those
who are now laboring for its success. II
may not assume its grand proportions As
rapidly as at one time contemplated. but II
Is the earnest prayer of thousands of good
men Of the South that its ultimate compIe.
tiOn will not be less certain. Whatever
good may attend US in the future. must
rest chiefly upon the virtue and intelli-
gence OF the people; bat even under the
worst forms of government we should
earnestly desire that intellectual grace NAV
dignity our political isolation, making sub
ordinate that purely material civilization.
which threatens to be the great evil of the
age IN which We live. 1t has been wisely
said that Tyrants flourish where UNIVERSE
ties are weak. Demagogues lose power
where universities are strong
But the object of this communication Is
not 40 much to speak Of the admirable scone
and great merit Of the projected mi.
versity, as the beautiful location which
has been SO wisely selected for IL. Tbouob
an ardent friend Of the enterprise and In
frequent intercourse with those who have
been givingit their personal attention. | have
had but a poor conception Of It's many at
tractlve features until called recently. for
the hrst time, to enjoy its exhiiarating
mountain air, and beautiful landscapes
which on every hand extend and soften in
the distance.
The plateau upon which the improve
ments are being made is $50 feet above the
surrounding country and 1888 feet above
The sea. The thermometrieal range in
summer seldom exceeds 80 deg, rendering
1t most delightful, invie0rating summer
ornate nee rom fevcn and above the
range OF cholera; while the winter climate
--as i learn from those who speak from
experiments not near SO severe as that
of the Northern colleges. One remarkable
feature OF this plateau is its dryness, which
is eyinced by the lack of lichens on the
trees, by the entire absence of moss or par
asites living upon humidity, and by the
freedom from decay of the fallen timber.
In addition TO the many testimonials in
favor Of this as the proper location for the
UNIVERSITY or THE SOUTH was the re-
commendation of the learned DR.. Cart.
wright, Of New Orleans, which was based
chiefly On the score of health. | spent
several days at University Place. when. as
learned from the Nashville papers, the
summer heat was at its highest point. and
at no hour Of the day did / find il the least
unpleasant.
The geographical aspect OF the grounds
presents not a series of rugged peaks, but
a wide table land, a level area of from two
to twenty miles in width, with Just enough
Of humiliation to make it picturesque and
attractive. Delightful walks or drives
spread out before you in every direction,
Slth objects Of interest on every hand, and
leading 10 hundred different views of the
beautiful plains below, and Of the towns
and mountains in the distance There is a
rapture in the sublimity of nature which
requires no excess of imagination to enjoy.
as standing upon one Of these rugged pro-
we
. See how the morning opes her golden gates.
Ana takes her farewell Of the glorious sun"
'r witness the scene, when,
Nights candles are burnt out and jocund dav |
stands tip-toe on the misty mountain-tops."
The numberless springs and caves, fur
lishing the most abundant supply Of de-
ightful free-stone and Chalybeate water. is
me OF the most attractive features of the
University grounds. Within an area of
me mile in diameter there are thirty never
ailing springs. Within the vicinity of |
hese springs is a great variety Of pictur-
,sque sites for single buildings, and exien-
i've level areas for groups, which are
1eing disposed of by the Trustees to indi-
7iduals for improvement either as sum-
ner or permanent residences. Already !
sufficient have gone up TO guar.
lntee pleasant society of cultivated. Chris |
IAN people. The foundation for a chapel |
has been laid, and everything secured
necessary to the convenience and comfort |
Of seperate community.
The venerable Bishop Green, of Missis-
iippi, than whom | have seldom met with /
/ more interesting and attractive character, |
mas handsome improvement at this point, |
where his family viii spend their summers
n future, and probably make it their perma-
lent abode. Maj. Fairbanks, formerly Of |
Florida, also has pleasant residence there,
where his elegant family dispense their |
yonted hospitality with the case and grace
hat distinguished them in "the better days |
IF the republic" The residence of Bishop |
Quintard is, also, convenient and suitable \
Improvement. Otey Hall, and other build |
ngs in the course of construction, apper-
aiming TO the University proper, yet to be
iuilt, combine convenience and taste, and, |
With the room that can be obtained in pri-
rate families, will furnish pleasant accom-
rotations for about sixty students.
The facilities for cheap, as we'll as COM
ortable living on the mountain, is one Of |
Is attractions Lots for improvement can
,e had for triae, and The principal articles |
Necessary Tor he table can be raised at |
ittle cost The soil, although sandy and /
light, rests on clay and produces vege-
ables and grain we'll Stock of all kinds /
i've we'll upon the mountain and re-