Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-08-01
The CbaDceIIOrship os the Georgia I nj.
versity.

versity.
From the Albany (Ga.l News
Sorry are we to see SO Influential
paper az the Atlanta Herald 90 igHorsn'
as to the scholarship, culture and sd
ministrative ability OF Jefferson Davis
and still more do we regret that its esti
mate Of Mr.. Dayis's standard ia thest
| essential elements should be publicly
urged as 8 reason why he should not be
chosen to the chanceliOrship of the Stat;
university. Men of learning and lite
rary attachments, as well as men Of sci
eGce and high culture, are amazed at the
audaCity Of the objection, and amused
st the tyTOnism Of its prssentment
Now, We do not propose to discuss Mr.
Davis's qualifications with the Herdl0
editor, or to iispsIage any one OF hi:
fsvOTite "traiRed Teachers" only 50
far as to except to his criticism, and
to express the opinion that no man
alive is more eminently qualified fol
the position, or who would give more
character or greater glory to the insttu-
ton. Mr.. Davis graduated st West
Point when that school was an honor to
the republic, and perhaps the most
thorough on the continent. Since then
he has been almost continuously in POI
sitiOns that naturally tended to strength
en- his intellect and improve his learn
Ing. II is scarcely necessary to refer to
his career in the old congress; his secre.
tsryship Of war in Mr.. Pierce'5 cabinet,
or his administration as chief executive
of the Confederate States, for evidence
of his learning, his power OF intellect,
MS moral and physical courage, his 8d-
ministFstive ability or the grandeur of
his character; for the testimony still
lives, and breathes, and speaks, and the
southern man who depTeciat5s It, or at
tempts 70 prejudice the southern heart
against him, IL too much stepped in the
"gush" Of reconciliation" to be trusted.
or too bitter in his hatred to. be believed.
Mr.. Davis he5 been quiet and silent
since the war, and the people have had
but little opportunity to attest their love
and gratitude; but the time il close at
hand when every live soldier of the lost
cause will give emphasis 10 their ad-
miratiOn and affection, and every true
SOL of the south will join in the loud
acclaim Of justice and gratitude 10 the
living, as well as reverence and honor
to the dead. As to the CHARACTERISTIC.
we make no war upon Dr.. Tucker, for
We know nothing OF the truth or falsity
Of the charges preferred against him.
We know him to be a scholar and q
gentleman, and it may be that his very
efficiency constitutes the gravamen OF
the effort to turn him out. We
favor Mr.. Davis upon the by
pOthesis that q new chancellor is
to be chosen, and not from a desire
to remove DR.. Tucker; and while we are
fully convinced that the trustees will
know best what to do in the prem
ises, We are equally impressed that MI
Davis would elevate the standard Of the
university, improve the tone of the
young men, and very soon demons rate
the wisdom Of ms selection. In addi-
ton to his scholarship and high order OF
administrative ability, he is a polished
gentleman, possesses and practices the
social virtues in q marked degree, wields
his magic influence for good among the
young people, and withaI, speaks snd
writes the purest and most fOTcible Eu-
giish OF any contemporary we now think
OF.
To cur views We add the following
from the Savannah Aa7yeTLiSGT: THE
Advertiser advocates the election of
President Davis to the chaneel!OTship Of
the State university. 1t says Mr.. Davis
is one OK the best educated men nOW
living and is fully qualified TO dis
charge the important duties Of this inn
pOrtaut position. We believe that il
the trustees put Mr.. Davis &c the mead
of the university, he will add greatly to
the popularity and success Of the insti-
tuition. His name alone would attract
students from every quarter Of the south
and il the advertiser is correct in its
statements, he would be chancellor in
fact az in name. We do not know that
Mr. Davis would accept the position il
rendered him. We believe ne has been
elected president of the Texas State col
lege of agriculture, and the ladies Of that
State are now engaged il raising funds
with which to purchase him . hand
some home. 1t would cost him nothing,
however, to make an effort to obtain his
services, and If it should prove unsuc-
cessful, there are plenty of men who
would fill the position soceptsbly. We
have no evidence Of the truth OF the
charges made against the present chan
cellOr."