Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-21
The soulh.we.sern Unlrsr.l.r.

The location Of this University in our
midst will involve benefits that we cannot
readily summarize. Citieydo not grow by
accident. They do not draw the tides Of
trade 10y any imPcrious law. Communi-
ties are like men. Their greatness is in
proportion to the work that they do, and
they grow as their industries increase. If
our young city Is TO reach the dimensions
that its most sanguinc prophets predict,
there must be something more than we
now have to justify the increase. We must
have new roads leading out to new terri
tory, new industries, and new institutions
OF learning If they can possibly be had.
We have in our midst machine shop, and
if we were to strike from the trade OF Jack
son the pay warrants of the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, the financial arrangement
would be felt by nearly every branch OF
business. We have several institutions Of
learning here of high grade. Were they
removed TO some other point the vacuum
would be felt not only socially but com.
mercially. A Self.sustainIng man or msti-
tuition cannot possibly be matter of IndiC-
ference to any community. Every one who
stops with us even for "a lay, adds some
thing to the wealth Of the place. Run this
idea out in connection with great literary
institution, bringing hundreds of young
men from all parts of the country, who
must be clothed, fed and warmed by our
tradesmen, boarding. houses, and coal deal
ors, and neccssitating household establish
ments for the professors Of the institution,
and we can readily see how this source of
prosperity will ramify in thousand ways
like the fine fibres that from myriad sour
ces feed the buried roots OF the oak ANY
one who has been familiar with the social
and commercial advantages resulting from
the vicinity Of institutions like the con-
templated University, knows perfectly that
there never was a community that did not
regret their loss or decay. Families are
often induced TO take up their residences in |
neighbOrhOods with the sole purpose Of |
awaiting themselves OF superior educational |
facilities, and thus many excellent people !
will become permanently identified with |
the interests OF jackson if she can become |
the educational center of West Tennessee,
and Of the great Valley. As matter Of |
course the prosperity of the city will be /
shared by the outlying country, and what
ever we have said Of the one applies with /
equal force TO the other. This Ct is so |
obvious that we do not care to dwell /
upon it.
But apart from the considerations OF the |
pocket, we have other reasons for wishing
the location OF the South Western Univer-
sity here. The individuality of every man,
to some extent, necessarily mobiles the
character and opinions of his fellow men.
A gentleman in the strict sense of the term
we do not merely mean the man Of leisure
who dresses well, but the man who is
gentle IN his words, acts and desires-in-
evitably tones down the coarscr manners
of others. And so Of the college and the |
church. The refining influences of religion /
and learning extend far beyond the walls
of the sanctuary and the lecture Toom.-
The great Universities smooth, adorn, Gle
vate and eniightcn, not only the Hcidcl-
bergs and OXlords Of the earth, but through |
them influence the thought, the literature,
aud legislation of the civilized world. 1t is
needless for US TO elaborate these ideas. In
a few days committee appointed for the
purpose, will.fully set forth to the citizens
OF jackson and Madison county, the advan-
taSes that will follow the location OF the
University in our midst, and we leave the
rest to them.