Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-09
INAUGURAL ADDits SIS OF THE
RkESIDENr OF THE UNIVERSE.
nv OF ALaRAWFA .Nal .,4OoII7TFlal

PkES1DENr OF THE UNEVERSa
nv 0FALAIsAMA. .l0o4lfFl
IN taking charge of this institution, i
is right and proper that / should max,
known to the friends of education in th,
South, and to the good people of Alabama
} the line of conduct proposed for thu
University, and show them the goal which
lain to set before il. k Y w
y The main features Of The plan pro
posed for the present. have been sub
United to the honorable Board of r agents
We are of one mind. Supported by
them and assisted by an able Faculty, the
course of instruction. at the University of
Alabama will be 30 adapted as best to
meet the educational wants of the day,
and enable the South successfully to as.
sert her moral and Intellectual supremacy
| The University has been modelled
after the Military Institute of Virginia.
/ am fresh from one of the chairs of that
institution, and have made its economy,
its management, its discipline, its curricu-
lum and special schools, the subject of
close observation and study; moreover the
plan and courses of the University of
Virginia are not unfamiliar to me.
These noble institutions are the most
& urishing in the South, and at present,
they seem best to satisfy the educational
wants of our young men. In their ex-
ample, the University of Alabama finds
| the lights of experience to guide her, and
che will copy after them as nearly as the
difference of circumstances will admit,
but with such departures as my own OBJ
servations and experience suggest for
improvement.
For lads who are qualified to enter no
higher than the third or fourth class,
there will be the close curriculum of the
Pennsylvania Military Institute; for young
men of higher attachments, the open
course of the University of Virginia is
offered, with the privilege of entering
any special school which the wishes and
qualifications of candidates make desir-
able.
A large part OF the buildings of the
University at Tuscaloosa has been de-
stroyed; thus its capacities of accommo-
dalton are limited, and until they can be
enlarged, the military feature will be re.
tanned.
The aim is to build up and encourage
this Institution until it attains to the pro-
portions of real University, complete
in all its appointments; and then to crown
it with a polytechnic school of high
order, to the halls, galleries, museums,
laboratories and work shops of which,
Southern youths of whatever State may
come, and without fee, qualify them.
selves for any one of the mechanical arts
or industrial callings.
1t will take time to reach this goal:
but wise policy csndidly made known
at the beginning, and steadily pursued,
will be sure to win favor with the State;
and in the end, bring her university
out triumphantly.
In seeking TO raise the University up.
aud start it prosperously on its new Ca
reer, / am not unmindful that great
changes since last its halls were crowded
with the youth of the State, have been
wrought throughout the South. These
are making themselves felt with marked
effect upon our industries, and the occu.
pations of our young men.
They call for corresponding changes
both in the direction TO be given to the
minds of Our youth, and in the subjects
to be taught.
New revelations and discoveries are
daily increasing our knowledge as to the
laws of nature and properties of matter.
and these are giving us more and more
power over the physical forces of the
universe. Such power and the value of |
it cannot be over estimated. Il stands |
second only to that moral and intellec-
tual superiority which belongs to the
mind and character of good and great
men.
In our mastery over these forces con-
sists the progress of the age, the greatness
Of nations, and the prosperity of people.
We must still appeal to strangers to
come here and assist US to harness these |
forces in the service of the South. unless
Dur course of instruction be such as TO
each our young men to master them for |
is.
This is what cur University will aim to
10, and go enable the South to take her
rue position in the onward and upward |
march of nations.
That it may accomplish this object the
more effectually, the University is to be
organized 30 as to admit readily of read
ustments, to the end that it's course of
Instruction may keep pace with scientific
discovery, and its alumni go forth year
lfter year, well up in the march of i'm
lrovement and familiar with all the new>
y discovered laws, properties and pro-
'esses which give mind its dominion over
natter.
1t is natural (and we may honor the
eeling) that the parent should desire his
on to be taught the things he learned at
chool. But let US see where the adjust
nent of onr institution to this desire
would, in the present condition of the
'outh, lead our youth. There be parents
wing whose Alma Mater, in their day,
in its special schools and
curses, neither the marine engine;
or the locomotive; nor the rail-
way; nor steam used as mo-
i've power; no photography, nor the
lectric telegraph, nor electricity as an
ndustrial agent, no spectrum analysis
With the new world which it ls opening
p for exploration and research, nor any
Their of the newly discovered forces,
9th of ponderables and imponderables,
hat have given at this day such wonder
I'll compass to the mind and such mar
elous strength to the nerve OF man. BY
ne might which this knowledge and this
over have given, multitudes of new in
ustries have been created, immense
eds for human occupation have
cen opened, and honest means of bresd-
arning to millions:-all these subjects
re to have place in the courses Of our
'niversity; and so are the Humanities, for
lese have lost none of their Importance;
l1f ann1p of the Tina that nan fnrrnnrIr- |