Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-03-13
For the Advertiser. .
Furman University.

Much has been said and written con-
cerning the endowment Of this noble i'll
stitution of learning, butif l mistake not
the articles written have been confined
almost solely to the religious press, and
as a consequence many of the best citi-
zens of the country, (those who have as
much at heart her educational interests,)
have not had the subject brought directly
to their attention. This leads me to adj
dress to the favor of such the following
article:
The above institution, while under the
control of the Baptist denomination, has
gathered within her walls from year to
wear, Young men of other denominations,
who are there educated without distinc-
ton or sectarian influences This has
induced liberal donations from the diff
religious orders, from ono hundred
to thousand dollars, and also from those
of no religious faith. This action on
their part has been prompted by that
deep interest which all should feel in the
cause Of education.
Never in the history OF our country
has there been period which demands
more the awakening Of our people to this
important subject than the present; one'
which if neglected, will make more
gloomy and sao the darkness which now
gathers over our unhappy country. The
recent satl war has brought to ruin some
of the noblest institutions of our State.
Our Arsenal aud Citadel have fallen in
the general wreck; and but recently our
beloved and only State University has
received her death blow by tl'c election
of four negro and three carpet-bagger
trustees as her sponsors. This action
upon the part of mongrel and corrupt
legislature,-in direct violation OF most
solemn promise,--must cast shade of
deep sorrow over the heart Of every true
citizen of the State, especially when they
recall the past glorious history OF this
noblo institution From her clnSsicwalls
have gone forth many OF the nobiest
young men, who arc to-day making
brighter and better this world because
of their influence from her walls
they go forth no more!
Furman University is now the only
renlainingonein theStatc, and being hap
pily beyond the control of adepraved and
corrupt government, the true citizens OF
the country can make it permanently
their own, if they will only respond.
though mcagcrly, to the pressing claims
which she is now making upon them.
The University is now laboring for a
permanent endowment Of two hundred
thousand dollars, the income only of
which is to be used for the maintenance
of the said institutions In order that all
might be enabled to aid in this great and
good enterprise, the following plan was
adopted by a Convention Of some OF the
best men in the State, held In Greenville
in 1870.
Bonds were issued which now draw
interest only from January 1873 to Janu-
arv 1875, at seven per cent. From this
latter date five years are given for the
payment of tho principal of the bond, in
five equal annual installmvnts, the first
on the first day of January 1876, and the
remaining four installmcnts in one, two,
three and four years thereatter-giying
eight years for the payment Of the bond.
Two admirable provisions are made in
this bond, 1st. Should the donor die be-
fore its maturity nothing is left upon the
family or estate of the deceased, /. G.,
the bond becomes null and void. End.
Should the said University fail to secure
by the lst of January 1876 the above en-
dowment of two hundred thousand dol
lars, in good bonds and other reliable
securities, then tho bond becomes null
and void, so in giving bond ,'ono assure
of aiding the institution or his bond
comes back to him again. The donor of
bond of five hundred dollars, is enti-
tied to free scholarship iinmediateiy for
four years. ~,
Notice again. After this endowment
shall have been secured, the doors of the
University will be opened for ter. years,
free of tuition to all. Whata proposition
is this! How many poor young, men
will thereby be given the advantages of
a liberal, or at least q partial educatiiail'
who otherwise. might be entirely. de-
prived of its blessings. Z. ',,.1 2a
Will not those who stili nave at heart leu !!
the welfare q their country, CO WHO no yet
love their State. md long to see her Srnse ry
again prosperous and happy, pure and
u1,oorrupted from the ettls of'the pres
ant day. not lend their assistance towards