The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-12-02
OUR KNOXVILLE LETTER.
SOMETHING MORE ABOUT EAST
1,ZNvHrErcCLrE TTNTVRRCTTTY

KNOXVILLE, Nov. 27, 1874.
To the Editor of the Morristown Gazette:
| was so much disturbed at the
threatened consequences of my last
letter, which you published some
time ago, in reference to our Univer-
sity. that l thought it prudent to re-
tire back into my original obscurity,
until the agitation which it created
should subside and be forgotten. l
now feel that l can speak of its eff
fects with some degree of compos-
/ ure, if not of amusement. If, dur
ing the terrible siege of Knoxville,
General Longstreet had turned his
batteries upon the ancient walls of
East Tennessee University, and pep
pered it's moss-coyered sides it would
scarcely have created more surprise
and confusion amongst a; certain
class than did my innocent and
thoughtIess epistle. It's effects were
different upon different persons.
Some were scratched, and some were
scared. Some laughed. and some
swore--as did our fathers in Elan
ders. All were perplexed to know
what was the real object and aim of
the writer. Was he friend or foe'2
Brother Charlton said he was criti-
cal, cynical, sarcastic. ironical, and
generally deUeliSh; but still he look
ed at it like a Christian and a phi
losopher, as he is, and even re pub
lished the letter in the next weeks
Outlook. Others were not so con-
siderate or amiable, Some of the
Directors were grave and dignifed,
and tried to look Indifferent. Some
were nervous, and fretful, and
thought it a shame that nameless
scribbler should dare to intrude his
presumptuou inquiries into the pro-
ceedings of so august a body One
of the learned Professors, who came
from afar and who knew not Arthur
complained at the great injustice
of the writer in creating the impress
sion of undue extravaganza and
waste of funds az Grchitectual dis
pldy! He was astonished when told
that the handsome villas referred to
were not exact copies of Hadrian's,
near Rome, and that our dear old
Texas friend-and Arcbuect-was not
IF IO
Parthenon. Another one of the I'M
sophisticated brothers declared that
he was personally acquainted with
two or three of the one-hundred
(more or less) so-called Trustees, who
he honestly did not believe would be
able to fill a Professors chair in q
single days notice But, amid all
this connection, the Building Com |
were alone, calm and serene.
They accepted the compliment which
the writer had paid them as nothing
more than due their merit and taste.
and since the GAZETTE has spread |
abroad their fame, they have been
daily expecting a call to Philadel-
phia, to aid in decorating the Cen,
tennial Palace, now being construct
ed for the accommodation of call the
world and the rest Of mankind"
But l regret to report, there is
likely soon to be vacancy in the
lOnored Board of Trustees. One of
he unfortunate gentlemen is said to
be afflicted with that terrible malady
exemptions of the head-which has
proved fatal to some, and which, of
ate, has appeared in an epidemic
iorm about the University, so much
IS to awaken apprehension and alarm.
Nicholas Barger, Esq, has already
)een spoken Of by the appreciative
to ell the anticipated va
fancy. Mr.. Barger is one of our old
.st, best known, and most horny
landed Changers, and his selection
would give satisfaction, character
md force to the present directors.
When this important event takes
,lace will write you again, for /
,now, like myself, you feel great in
crest in all that pertains to the fame
md prosperity of this glorious old
College. l have heard much talk Of
is management, or mismanagement,
md have investigated the facts long
nd patiently. AS a Judge. can .
ay, with sincerity and truth, that /
ave no friends TO reward, and no
nemies. to punish. In this investi- i
alton have brought only frankness
nd caudor, and without fear, favor. $
r affection, looked only for such 1
acts as might affect the welfare Of :
n Institution which is to leave its /
IMPRESS, for good or evil, upon our
children, and for all time
D come. will not undertake to give
on these facts now, nor the results
f my inquiries further than to brief
? intimate that | find a President,
,ithout that universal veneration and
,fluence which belong to his years,
is Christian reputation. and his re-
ponsihle position. find Faculty
of siasee't members, some Of
HON would add but little to the !
,rce and reputation of the negro c
ollege at O,Berlin. Ohio. L find an s
nknown number of Trustees, many =
whom have no more business in
de the halls Of literary institu- +
on, except to drive a nail, to paint, :
: to plaster, than l have in conduct
g a Cunard steamer across the il
ormy waters of the Atlantic. ] I
I'd total disregard of the funda- =
entail law upon which Congress
lsed its donation of near half mil t
IN dollars. to the Agricultural de g
of the University. / find
of stalwart young men
lshing their bright bayOnets in the
US of the evening sun, who know