Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-10-09
SOUTHWESTERN PRESBYTERIAN
UNIVERSITY.
Report of Progress.

terrain University, the Executive Com
mittee were directed to prepare at their
discretion report of progress, setting
forth also the present condition and
prospects of the enterprise, in order
that the public may be fully informed
of our work. In obedience to this Or
der this paper has been prepared.
The idea Of a great Presbyterian
University has been longcherished and
ably advocated by some of our leading
thinkers. Itbecame evident. however,
that such an institution must be from
the nature of the case in certain sense
local. and i. was suggestel that con-
tiguous Synods unite and thus supply
by Cooperation what no single one
could furnish alone. In furtherance
of this idea active negotiations began
among the Synods of the Southwest,
In which region the want was most
urgent.
A meeting of Commissioners from
five Syuods was held in May, 1873.
After full conference plan of CO.
operation was agreed upon unanimous
ly, containing also succinct and lucid
outline of the proposed Institution
This plan and outline was adopted in
the autumn of 1873 by the five Synods
sending Commissioners to-wit: The
Synvds Of Alabama, Mississippi, Ar
kansas, Nashville and Memphis, and
also by the Synod of Texas. The
adoption was slngularly unanimous 10
all the Synods, fact of no small mo-
ment when we consider the distracting
views which had for years divided our
best men on the relations of the church
and the school, and in view of the dis
tinctly avowed purpose to make a
school more distinctly christian than
heretofore. All parties are satisfied
and all views harmonized by this plan
and outline, and distracting questions
are at rest. This is great point
gained.
These six Synods the same year ap-
pointed each two Directors to meet in
January, 1874, and take charge of the
enterprise. These Directors met in
Memphis and found themselves face
to face with numerous applicants for
the location of the University, even
before the Board themselves were as
sured oftheir ultimate success in found
ing the school. 1t was soon apparent
to the Board that this question of loca
ton must be wisely met at the begin
ming in order to avoid the rock on
which so many educational enterprises
had already split. Besides, a location
seemed necessary in order for the Uni
versity to have corporate and legal
existence. without which it was doubt
full if the Directors could move single
step in laying the foundations or even
solicit subscriptions in such form as
to be binding.
A second meeting was held in May,
1874, and the various communities de-
string the location made proposals,
many of them extremely liberal and
all indicating great confidence in the
success of the proposed University.
After careful examination of all the
proposals, the Board selected Clarks-
vile as the location, and Stewart Col
lege with its funds and appurtenances
as the nucleus of future operations.
This location is acquiesced in by all
throughout our bounds and gives in
creasing satisfaction, not so much be-
cause it was the first choice of every
body, but because it was evidently the
best we could do in view of all the
circumstances of the case This hearty
acquiescence in q matter So delicate
and difficult as this is another great
point gained. The Board at the same
meeting requested Stewart College
Trustees to continue their functions
until it should be convenient for the
Directors to take full charge. No
active steps were taken to increase the
funds of the University beyond the
amount given at GAINESVILLE, partly be-
cause of failure to secure a suitable
agent early in the year 1874, but main
ly because of the great floods, droughts
and financial EMBELLISHMENTS which
will not be soon forgotten in the South
west. Early in this year QS75) the
Legislature Of Tennessee perfected the
laws necessary to enable US to secure
a charter as We desired and for which
we were waiting. The Board met, on
call, at St. Louis in May, and, on its
adjournment, met again in GAINESVILLE
in June.
At these meetings the charter was
| perfected with the following corpora.
tors who legally constitute the first
Board of Directors under the style and
title of the Southwestern Presbyterian
University; o-wit Rev. Z. X. Welch,
d. D., Vice President; B. NJ. Estes,
Sec'y; Rev. +. McNair, Rev. J. n.
Wad1eIl, D. D., Rev. b. NJ. Palmer,
D. Dill d., Rev. J. A. Lyon, D. d.,
Rev. w. X. Marshall, D. D., Rev. D.
MacGregor. Rev. c. A. Stillman, D. d.,
T. A. Hamilton, Esq, Rev. j. B. Shear
err, d. D., and d. N. Kennedy, Esq.
The Board thus constituted took
order for perfecting all necessary titles
and took formal charge Of our work.
The former Faculty Of Stewart Col
lege was continued Professionally and
the school continued on the same scale
as heretofore until such time as the
way may be open for the formal or
ganization Of the University proper.
This very adoption is to the public a
guaranty of the confidence they may
feel 10 the school as at present organ
lied, while we aim at yet higher de-
ve!opment.
The Board elected Rev. DR.. j. W.
lIoyte special confidential ageut to raise
the contaminated cndoumnnt To hos