Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-29
University Of the south-0psning Exer-
cises.
UNIVERSITY PLACE. TENN. Sept. 1s. 1868.

UNIVERSITY PLACE. TENN, Sept. 1s, 1868.
MEssRs. EDITORS: / have to day wit
messed the commencement of work des-
tined to exert profound influence upon
the future welfare of our State, and of
the South. The University of the South,
the fond dream of Bishops Polk, and
Otey, and Cobbs, and Rutledge, and
Elliott, and other noble spirits now no
more, was this morning inaugurated with
impressive ceremonies, on Suwanee
mountain, in Franklin county, Tennes
see. 1t is generally known that few
years before the war Bishop Polk con-
ceived the idea of establishing univer-
sity of high order, under the auspices of
the Episcopal Church in the Southern
States. The proposition met with an
enthusiastic response in the heart of the
Church, and the God.speed of all good
and intelligent men. The South was
then rich and prosperous, and the spon-
taneous proffer of money, to an almost
fabulous amount, confirmed their rpurpose
of founding an Institution of Learning, of
vast dimensions, and with munifcent
endowment Suwanee mountain, in this
State, was selected as the site, and the
cornerstone was laid. But the war
came and paralyzed the splendid enter
prise. Within the last twelve months
the surviving originators of the scheme
determined to revive it, but under au-
spices, alas how diferentl The va
cancies occasioned in the Board of Trus-
tees by death were supplied, and at a
meeting held on the 18th of August, at
Suwanee, it was determined to open the
Junior department .f the University on
the 18th of September, and to elect
corps of professors aud instructors:
Buildings adequate to the operation of
the University, on the plan contemplated
for the present, had been constructed
with funds raised by Bishop Quintard
and others, partly in this State and partly
in England. These buildings were erected
under the supervision of Major G. X.
Fairbanks, who has charge OF the depart
ment of construction. he is eminently
fitted for the position. The buildings are
of wood, and present very agreeable,
tasteful appearance, harmonizing well
with the beautiful scenery of the noun
tain. And here let me remark that the
location was made with admirable taste
and judgment. 1t is upon spur of the
Suwanee mountains, and presents the
remarkable phenomenon Of a plateau
two miles long and half mile in width,
at an elevation of a thousand feet above
the surrounding country. The sides of
this plateau terminate in abrupt declivi-
ties, cutting of all communication ex-
cept such as may be desired, with the
region Ground. The students will thus
be protected against hurtful influences
from without by these wild bulwarks Of
nature. The view from the mountain is
lovely beyond the power Of poet or artist
to depict. The level land below, in end-'
less succession Of meadow and woods,
stretches out to the limit Of human vision.
Huge shelving rocks project, here and
there, from the mountain side, over which |
wild cascades leap and laugh 70 the val-
ley beneath. II is truly q grand location !
for q seat Of learning. Lifted up IN
geographical relation, above the din and
the dirty strife Of the world beneath, N
contemplation. Of natures most Sublime
displays, secure from the intrusion OF vice,
aud hedEsd around By moral influences,
the devotes Of learning may here direct |
the opening energies Of head and heart |
10 an earnest pursuit Of knovledGs. The
mountain is a. The sane tine readily |
accessible from all directions Abranck |
railrosd connects il with C0uan, depot