The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-01-04
A Voice from "Sewanee." T"

Mr.. EDITOR: Believing that many of your
readers would be pleased to hear something
about the "University of the South''-its origin
and progress-I will give them brief sketch
of its history and development to the present
time In many portions of the South it is yet
unknown, and at its mention, even intelligent
and refined people look aghast with ignorance
and surprise; but its increasing popularity and
importance will ere long win for it that title
which it justly claims and deserves-a house
hold word in every Southern home.
Gen. Leonidas Polk, who fell in the war for
Southern freedom, in 1864, first conceived of
this important enterprise. Knowing that the
North could boast of her Harvard and Yale,
and even our Southern sister, Virginia, of her
William and Mary-colleges So old and vener-
able, and so richly endowed that they were
supported entirely by the interest of their en-
dowment fund-he felt that the Gulf States
desired and imperiously demanded similar
Institution. In 1856 he accordingly issued an
address to the Bishops of all the Southern Dio-
ceses, Virginia excepted, proposing to establish
University upon plan which should meet
the highest ends of Christian education. His
proposal awakened warm response, and the
! Bishops, with one clerical and two lay dele
gates from each of the Southern Dioceses, met
on July 4, 1857, on Lookout Mountain, for the
purpose Of organization. An adjustment and
discussion of all necessary preliminaries ensued,
and after appointing Committee, consisting of
one member from each Diocese, to collect in
formation respecting the best locality for the
University, the Board adjourned to meet in
Montgomery, Ala, on the 25th Of November
following. A committee of scientific men vis-
tied and carefully examined number of local
tiles during the interim, and representatives
from these several situations afterwards ap-
peared before the Committee, and with gener-
Gus donations of land and money, urged their
respective claims. a full report was made to
the Board, and after much discussion and bal
loting, the present site of the University was
unanimously chosen. A charter was obtained,
and about 10000 acres of land was selected for
the University site An endowment of nearly
$5O0,O0O had been obtained; the corner-stone
of the central building laid with great ceremo-
ny offices and buildings were in process of
erection, when the war broke out and abruptly
silenced all operations. When the war closed,
little remained but the University domain
even the cornerstone had been exhumed and
shattered into fragments by the Northern van
dals; and what was worse than all, the active
spirits of the grand enterprise-Polk, Elliott,
Cobbs Freeman, Otey, Rutledge-had fallen
asleep. Still, with devout trust in an ALI
powerful Arm, movement was inaugurated IN
1866 to revive the work and save that which
yet remained. Immediately after the Lambeth
Conference in England, i'll 1867, measure was
put forth to procure assistance from the Eng
iish Church, which resulted in offerings so gen.
erous that the Trustees were enabled to put
the University in operation on moderate scale
in September, 1868. Since that period there
has been rapid development. The number
of students has steadily increased-the applica-
tions for admission often exceeding the accom-
modations. Every State in the South is repre-
sented, and there are students from some North
ern States The most important schools have
been organized, and at their heads are some of
the ablest scholars in the South.
elevated plateau of that name-a spur of the
Cumberland Mountains Its elevation above
the sea is about 1000 feet; while that above
the surrounding country is about 1000 feet.
The summer temperature is delightful, and the
winter is not sensibly colder than in the val
leys below. 1t is abundantly supplied with
pure. cold free-stonc water, in addition to sew
eral chalybeate springs. The domain is heavi-
" wooded, and presents to the eye pleasing
variety of undulating surface From the cliffs
bordering it on all sides, are presented charm
ing views of valleys and neighboring noun
tains, and with the numerous cascades and
wonderful freaks of nature it combines in end
less variety to please the eye.
The society of the mountain is the bcst.-
Many of the most intelligent and refined peo-