The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-24
Tho University of the South.

Tho University of the South.
1t has long been admitted by thinking men
at the South, TO be material defect Of our
domestic civilization, that we have no
great intellectual centre which may serve
both as the exponent OF Southern thought,
and as nursery for the cultivation and de-
velopment of the Southern mind. 1t may be
safely laid down as rule, that where the
mental stimulus OF "A people is drawn from
sources outside of itself, where the edu-
cational impressions made upon the plastic
minds Of its youth are foreign in their nature
to the genius and spirit of the popular type,
it is impossible for that people to attain any
marked national individuality, or to COM
plete in any adequate manner its own pecu-
liar development. This proposition is too
plain to need argument or illustration. 1t
would probably be impossible to over esti-
mate the influence of Oxford and Cambridge,
not only upon the Anglo-Saxon mind, but,
through it, upon the world; and the great
Northern colleges of the American Continent
have had a hardly less marked effect In their
sphere Now, more than at any previous
period in her history, the South needs pre-.
cisely such an institution. The battle Of
hands has been tried, and has failed to make
us an independent people; henceforth our
only reliance must be upon the battle
of mind and thought. And, in the long run,
that is the only victory worth having Un-
less we can achieve our intellectual indepen
dence, mere political freedom will avail
little.
This necessity has been provided for By
the establishment Of the University of the
South. Originated by the foresight and pa-
triotism of the late Bishop Polk OF Louisiana,
the young institution was ably fostered by
the watchful care of Bishops Otey and Elliott.
whose loved and honored names are in
separately connected with its growing for
tunes 1t Is now under the immediate super
vision of the Bishops of Mississippi and Ten
ncssee, and has before it the most favorable
prospects OF achieving all the vitality impor-
tant ends for which it was designed. 1t is
admirably situated at Sewanee, Tennessee,
upon an elevated mountain plateau, with
complete railroad communication, and
perfect climate. The number OF pupils has
increased, in less than u year, from thirteen
to eighty-seven, and all that stands in the
way of its further unlimited increase is the
want of means and accommodation for the
applicants.
people asking for twenty-five thousand do
lars to complete their invaluable work, and
to place the future nursery OF Southern
thought upon sure and firm basis. Du-
ring the late visit of the Bishop of Tennessee
10 England, the University Of Oxford gave
most practical proof OF its recognition OF the
importance of the enterprise, by presenting
the infant ersity with four thousand
volumes OF rare and valuable books towards
the establishment of its library; nd large
pecuniary contribution was also obtained
from England towards the same end. Sure
ly the people of the South will not be behind
strangers in such matter. 1t is not over
stating the case, to say that it is vitally im-
portant to the future OF the South that the
mind of its youth should be withdrawn from
the baneful Influences which pervade the
whole Northern system OF education, and be
nurtured in more truly catholic and
national school of thought. Again lei us
repeat that it is the onl;, as it is the surest,
way of accomplishing our true indepen-
dence. If the South is ever to exert her le-
gitimate influence upon the spirit Of the age
she must do it by perfecting her own in
tellectual training, and by bringing to the
struggle a mind unhampered by New Eng
land scepticism and superficiality, and bear
ing tue thorough impress of her own indivi
dual genius.
We may say, finally, that although the
University of the South is under the nomi-
nal control of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, it is intended 10 exert no sectarian
nor proselyting influence upon its members.
Its spirit like its aims, is catholic and cos
mopolitan.