The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-07-29
The University.

and discreet action of the Board of Educa-
tion, in relation to the University. aroused
the rebel press. This espousal of their cause
by their friends at the present time, is no
doubt source of great annoyance and un-
easiness to those heretofore connected with
that institution. If other proofs were want-
ing, the position assumed by the Raleigh
Sentinel and Wilmington Journal might be
taken as sufficiant evidence that there is
soSaething rotten in Denmark" The great
regard of those journals for the old State Of
ficers, seems to have been traceable to one of
two causes, viz: either disloyalty or II fail
ure in administration. 1t is but just to con-
clude that its opposition to change OF In
fuence at the University arises from one or
both of these same causes.
In it's issue of the 18th instant, the Will
mington Journal suggests that with the
formal transfer of the institution to the Trus-
tees and Board of Education, the faculty
and students would leave in body. To
which it may be replied, let them go, their
places can be we'll filled by loyal men. And
the Sentinel of the 14th instant, informs US
of an i'll advised article, ready written, but
recalled in consequence of the - timidity and
hopefulness of some of its " friends" Pity
that this timid but hopeful friend of The Sen
tinel had not been equally watchful of the
editorials of the Wilmington Journal.
But had these papers remained silent, still
the reorganization of the University would
have been an imperative duty. Even if the
people of the State, by majority of twenty
thousand, had not demanded that it be
loyalized, still the necessity for its being
placed under the care of practical, competent
officers, would have compelled its organiza-
tion. Prior to the rebellion, there were in
attendance upon the exercises of the lnsti
tuition, from four to five hundred students.
This was in the days of slaveocracy. For
some time past the number of students has
gradually but surely declined, until the
whole number left to the University at the
close of the last session, is understood to
have been less than fifty, and probably for
the first time in the history of the institu-
tion, not one applicant presented himself at
the late commencement for admission into
college. So that the temporary discontinue
ance of the exercises may be considered a
perfect God send to save the University from
utter shame While this diminution in
numbers has been going on there, the mum
bers at Trinity, Wake Forest College, and
other institutions of learning, are understood
to have steadily increased until they have
distanced the State University.
Bad management somewhere. The WI
mington Journal thinks that when the insti-
tuition passes over to the new board of
Trustees, this VhOle number of students will
leave in body. That would commit it to
the care of the "scallawags."
In the year 1860, the endowment fund of
the University is supposed to have been
about 100000 So judiciously Was that
fund managed, that the institution now has
no endowment fund at all, and its property
is under heavy mortgage for debt. The
land-script of about 100000 acres of govern
ment lands, derived by act of Congress, is
understood to have been sold for fifty cents
per acre, while it is believed it would now
bring one dollar per acre, thus losing to the
institution by another judicious stroke OF
policy $135.000. The Conservatives mani
fest great concern lest the University pass
into other hands, and under different int1u-
ences. They predict its death in Repubi-
can hands, and seem to desire the hour of
stranging it by forcing upon US their pecu
liar views and counsel. 1t is true we receive
it from them, wounded, gasplng for breath.
But there is skill and wisdom and virtue in
Republicanism, to revive and restore it. We
take the noble heritage, torn and bleeding
from its destroyers, to bind up its wounds,
to infuse into it correct principles, life and
health and vigor; and to set it out upon
career of prosperity and usefulness. 1t must
be under the control of those who are awake
and alive, and fully realize the sublime
truths of this grand century. To these, and
these alone, the constitution and the people
of North Carolina have entrusted it. To the
Republican party has been committed the
great work of Reconstructing the national
government-to THAT party alone belongs
the proud duty of rebuilding amid ruins,
the fair rabric of the University.