Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-03-23
THE CENTRAL UNIVERSITY.
kistakes Of the Press COrrected-It is
to be Southern and not TenRes-
see Institution.
The Relative Merits Of Nashville and
Memphis Discussed - Ours the
Most Central Point.

| EDITORS APPEAL-The liberality o.
! Commodore Vanderbilt, displayed il
the gift of half million dollars to the
! Central university of the Methodist
Episcopal church south, challenges the
admiration and gratitude of all friend:
| of christian education. 1t should lead
to emulation, also. If one, or a few,
even, in the south, cannot give
A HALF MILLION DOLLARS
in addition, the many not only can but
should give that sum, and without de-
| Law, thus completing the endowment
fund necessary to carry out the noble
design of the gentlemen who, in this
city, more than a year ago, originated
this enterprise. But notice that in
several cities and tewns-how many it
would be hard to say-there is not
SO much concern about increasing
the endowment fund as there is about
the location of the university. On this
point lively feeling is expressed, and
fhe best site, according to parties in in
terest, can be shown almost everywhere,
in /" the city full !" and in the desert
waste u--On the tops of the mountains
and in the depths of the valleys-all over
the land. Nashville and all the towns
in Middle Tennessee have superior
claims, and so of Memphis and all the
towns in
WEST TENN LESSEE.
So, also, of Mississippi and Arkansas.
which, as well as Tennessee, are repre-
sented in the university, though news
papers have alluded to the subject as
though the institution belonged to Ten
nessee-a wide mistake, which editors
ought net to have made or ought to have
corrected, as do now, by reference to
the columns Of the Western Methodist,
Of this city, and the Christian Advocate,
Of Nashville. Now it is well for all as
pirants for the grand prize to bear in
mind that the location of the university
has been left by its originators, and it
is so expressed in the charter, uncondi-
tionally with the bishops of the
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
This trust they have accepted, promising
to select the location whenever the sum
of half q million dollars has been OBJ
tanned for the endowment fund. This
sum and more having been obtained,
suppose they will consider the subject of
location at their annual meeting next
MAY, in Nashville. OF course, they
will select the location with reference
N
not for the profit or pleasure of any city,
town or village in all the land. But it
is reasonable TO suppose, since there are
so many locations almost, if not quite,
equal in suitabieness, that in their de-
alterations the bishops viii attach all
due importance to any bonus which
may be offered for the location. This is
customary and highly proper within
certain limits-though, of course, no
bonus would justify a location not suited
to the objects of the institution. Now
with this view of the case, let the cities
and towns in the several States inter-
ested make their offers to the bishops,
in such shape as will command conf
dence-insuring performance after
promise. For example (and without de
signing to reflect upon other places
which might be equally or more suita-
ble), let
NASHVILLE AND MEMPHIS
make their offers, and certainly neither
of them ought to think of obtaining the
university without offering two hundred
thousand dollars at least for it, since,
leaving out of view the literary, scienti-
fic and professional advantages to be
derived from it, the pecuniary advanta-
ges would be more valuable to city
than the Investment of q million dollars
in any ordinary enterprise-railroads
manufactures, or what-not. Let Nash
vile consent to strive for this prize with
Memphis, and, my word for it, she will
have TO offer the bishops two hundred
thousand dollars and even more, or be
disappointed iB her hopes. What say
you, gentlemen of Memphis, not only
Methodists, but citizens of every
class-men Of capital and men of
business, who can look beyond
q year, or even a decade, into the gen.
erations to come-cannot you see here
an interest worthy of enlightened lib
erality and timely action? Nashville
is almost on the eastern limit of the
church territory actually engaged IN
building up the university, while Mem
phis is not far from its center-the terri
tory ranging from the Cumberland
mountains, across the Mississippi, and
Throughout the State of Arkansas.
The heart of a city is no place for
such an institution of learning, but
the very best place may be found
in its suburbs. Greenwood offers many
attractions, but to my mind Raleigk,
with its narrow-gauge railroad, nine
miles long-a half hours ride-is the
very best place of all; accessible and yet
retired, elevated and beautiful for situa-
tion, and with its living waters, the
fountain of health. But after slI, the
question of location Is secondary, and ]
wish and expect glorious future for the
Central university, when ever its walls
NAV be raised and its doors opened to
the young men of the South. +.