Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-05

I
those old time schools and schoolmasters
is admirable:
"CUuld We appreciate the embaTaSss
ments which they encountered in their
own early struggles and their brave efforts
hlider all sorts Of discouragement to
achieve for the past and present generation
advantages which We're betSnd their reach,
We would not only accord to them tbs
warmest tribute OF our hearts, but pledge
to them a monument which will keep their
memories among us forever. These men
are magnified when we look back to the
opportunities which this country afforded
when they entered life. The peripatetic
schOOl-masters Of the early time In tits
country were the sole standards Of culture
and, fortunately for mankind, some
of them were meTi of genius as
well as men of learning, and they
left impressions upon the active intellect
of that day, of which we are now the be-
nefciaries. Many men now living remem-
Der every crack and Granny in the
rude log huts which were then dedicated
as teniples Of learning-tbe long, wide
writing window, the high and uncertain
benches filled with barefO6ted urehins di-
recting uneasy glances from book TO mae
ter, who sat in awful state, and whose au-
thOrity, almost OmnipOtent, was supported
by stern patrons who had received much
of their Ir;iining in military camp. Slip
pered ease had no place in the economy Of
those times. The results Of such rude ef-
forts haze been widespread in the general
advance of this country, and the very men
who were disciplined and trained in
that severe but contracted ordeal of
educational enterprise, have devoted their
energies 20 the establishment and fostering
of ample facilities for this generation.
While many Of them condemned the patent
of the University as necessity prerequisite
to usefulness, they have not ignored the
advantages which it afforded, and although
they resisted the authority which claimed
to dictate a curriculum for the greatest Of
all professions, the ministry, they were wise
enough to consult Gamaliel, if not in the
porches of the temple, at least in the midst
of the Overshadowing trees, which gave a
cloistered seclusiOn to the simple school
houses which are now gone to decay. The
places were once distinguished in the pull
lie mind and made historic now BY connec-
ting the names Of many famous
men, some CT whom are still
among us, are made sacred in our recollec-
ton on that account. There is the same
afiectionate interest attaching 70 them in
the minds of our seniors, who enjoyed their
advantages, which we put in the place once
marked by grander and more imposing
edifice."
In the course of his address, Judge
Williamson gave a very interesting history
Of the establishment and early struggles Of
Cumberland University, and Landed the
unsurpassed educational advantages of the
Cumberland valley region.
Dixon Williams carried of the prize for
defamation by the Sophomore class, on
Wednesday, and at night Maj. w. ID.
Beard, Of Memphis, delivered the Bacca-
laureate address subject, 1.-The Life and
Character Of Bacon" Which was a Sery able
effort.
At no time since the war has Cumber-
land University been in so fOurishing a
condition as at present, and its officers
have good reason to be sanguine concerning
the future.
The large attendance during the past
session of the Business College and Tele-
graph Department-One hundred and four
students, in all-is a noticeable feature;
Prof. TOney has, by his indOmitable ener-
gy, brought these important interests to a
most prosperous condition of development.
In closing this report, the UNION AND
AMERICAN man feels authorized to return
hearty thanks for the Open-handed hOspi-
taltty with which the Nashville visitors were
treated by the citizens Of Lebanon. DIR.
Il. l.. e.. White, editor Of the Lebanon
Herald, and his estimabIe family, were es-
pecially courteous, and attentive to the
representatives of the Press.