Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-09
From tie Raleigh Sentinel!
Pen and ink sketches OF the UniyerSi-
ty Of North Carolina, as Has Been.

~ VI NUFN 1FutlHd, az E6S DStM,
DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE oF THE STATE, AID
To THE ALUMNI OF TIE UNIVERSITY. r
No. IL
THE DECLINE OF THE UNIVERSITY
From the close Of the war til The per
emptory closing of the University doors by
the present State Government, and the
death OF Governor Swain, which two
events happened as it we're Simultaneous
IL, the college had not Tegained lis former
proportions or popularity, but appeared to
languish under some adverse influences.
This change might at first be attributable
to the extreme prostcation Of the whole
Southern country, but that could not be
accepted as a sufficient reason when the
neighboring Universities and colleges Of
Virginia began to be crowded as never be-
fore from all the States South of US, and
with many of our own North Carolina boys.
The Faculty was the same that had for
N any years as q body commanded the res
pect and patronage of the public, the
course OF instruction, the advantages, the
general Inducements w2re the same or
better. The very apparent change of feel
lug towards Chapel Hill was not to he at
tributed to any OF these. ... ....
the three years Immediately following 1865.
was between 90 ard 100 The graduating
class Of 1868 numbered 10.
cHE last GRADUATING GLASS.
The Seniors of 1878 were, as a class,
much above the usual average. The Sen
iors We're always more especially under
Gov. Swain tuition and influence, and he
was always ready to acknowledge merit
and promise. Bnt all their Professors
united in high estimate of these. Prof
Hepburn, writing from college in Ohio,
speaks OF them yet with affection wishing
that he could have there, as eNempiars,
such students as Burgwyn, and Busbee,
and Warwick, and Morehead Some of
them are now at other Institutions, pnrsu-
ing Professional studies, and they will
agree in saying that the advantages they
enjoyed here we're in no respect inferior to
those Of Virginia, OF Yale, Or Harvard.
One writes that he never ceases to con-
gratulaie himself that he decided upon
Chapel Hill to receive his collegiate edu-
cation,-that comparing the teaching there
with that of o3e OF the most celebrated of
Northern colleges, he is satisfied that Chap
ell HILL was IN no essential respect behind,
and in many was ahead Of sister Institu-
tions. Another student says that after an
examination at Yale he was asked who had
taught him Greek, with high compliment
to the efficiency and precision of the Chap
el Hill mode of instruction. Another writes
from Virginia that the more he sees of
other colleges the more he prizes what he
received at Chapel Hill, and the more
heartily he turns with reyerent affection to
the memory of those who instructed him
there.
THE CAUSE OF THE DECI[NE.
With SO much in the past to confer hon
or, and to stimulate, and working to the
very last with tho same zeal and efficiency
and success, to what must we look when
we speak of the decline II the Univer-
sity
Without any disposition TO call up past
grievances, Or violate the proprieties OF So
eial life I may be allowed to say what
could not we'll be omitted in faithful
sketch, that there is no doubt that the mar
riage of Gov. Swain s daughter to the Fed
eral officer commanding the brigade that
occupied Chapel Hill i'll April 1865, was
the principal agent in alternating public
affection and confidence from our Univer-
slty for a time.
Ordinarily q gentleman may give his
daughter i'll marriage to whom he pleases
without any effect beyond his own family
circle but it is one of the penalties Of
holding all exalted and responsible station,
that in critical times even private acts be-
come public property, and are weighed,
and have their consequences. This mar
riage then, taking place when it did, deep
ly affected the popular feeling towards the
President. For, as l have had frequent
occasion to remark in the course Of these
sketches, it is upon the Head and his
standing that the success of the college
mainly depends. il the public voice dis
approve Of him, he OF the college must
succumb.
To Southern people snlarting under the
humiliation and agony OF defeat and sur
render, unable to look with complaisance
upon their conquerors, uncertain ci the
future so shrouded in gloom. it seemed
an outrage that the Head of an Institution,
to whom their sons were to be entrusted
should SHOW so little apprehension of the
Southern situation, SO little sympathy with
Sou thern feeling.
THE TRUE STATE OF THE CASE.
Gen. Atkins advanced guard entered
Chapel Hill on Easter Sunday, April 10th,
1866. He himself at the head of some H.
900 cavalry, took possession Monday 18th.
In consequence of visit paid by Gov.
Swain to Gen. Sherman below Raleigh, as
member OF Commission to surrender the
city, Gen. Atkins bad orders to protect the
University and village from destruction and
pilIage. This he did very ofectually. Wis
iting at the Governors in pursuance of
some official duty, he accidentally saw the
Governors daughter. and sought her ac-
quaintance. He and his command remain
ed in Chapel Hill till the ;}rd of May 14c
ter his depagtuve, the young lady communi-
Gated the fact OF his proposals. to her, and
her engagement to him to her parents, re
minding them that she was t'oenty- orr uettrs
old.
GOV. SWANS COURSE.
[ have never seen any man so deeply con-
cerned and agitated as Gov. Swain at this
unexpected denoument. His whole mind
and thoughts had been concentrated for
L