Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-07-19
Chancellor John waddel.

We copy the following from a
communicationsigned "Presbyter,"
and published in the Southwestern
Presbyterian at New Orleans
More than a score of years since,
during a months stay in Oxford,
Miss, the writer enjoyed the privi-
lege of frequent and close asSOcia-
ton with the distinguished educa-
tor, who has just been placed at the
head of the South Western UniVer-
sity at GAINESVILLE, Tenn. His name
and character as an educator had,
for years, been as familiar as house
hold words" among the educators
and institutions Of the State, and in
its colleges the students from his
academy--a seat Of learning set in
one of its interior cOunties-at once
took front rank from their
accurate and thorough training. A
born teacher, he passed, step by
step, through all the grades of that
Observation-Disclosures, professor, pres
ident and chancellor. Soon after
the time referred to his merit raised
him from a professors chair to the
chancellorship of the University
Mississippi. His selection for his
present post reflects credit on the
Judgment of the directors. They
have taken from the top tried
man, and their choice will meet
with general and cordial approval,
His salutatQry, published in the
last issue of the South Western
Presbyterian, Is characteristic, mod
est and dnassuming, yet pronounced
and firm it exhibits a clear and
comprehensive apprehension of the
relations and resources of the inSti-
tuition. 1t urges with fairness and
force its claims on the community
in which Providence has placed it !;
and also, on that wider community,
its constituency, embracing the
area covered by our six South Wes-
tern Sypods, On these he presses
the obligation of personal sympa-
thy, influence and effort. Doubt
less, the citizens of GAINESVILLE will,
as he says they must, in order to in
sure success, orally around the Uni
versity." Home interest and local
pride warrant and assure their cor
dial and hearty cooperation.
But, it is to that larger circle of
friends and fellQW-citiaens, its out
lying constituency, that this frank
and manly qtterance makes especial
appeal, 70 them an institution Is
presented, easy of access by rail
from all parts of their broad terri
tOry-frOm kentucky to the Gulf,
and from Georgia to the Rio Grande.
An institution located in the health
lest of sections, amid the social, NOR
al and religious influences of re-
fined and cultured people. An in-
stitution whose professors, some Of
whom have for years filled their
chairs, are instructors of eminent
and tried qualifications whose en-
dOwnent is respectable, whose
classroom apparatus is good, and
whose scientific library is one of I'M
usual excellence.
In these points so well and clearly
set before those who are bound by
close ties and strong obligations to
this school of our Church, there is
offered a combination of rare adYan-
tage and privilege. Let Presbyte-
rians and their friends (Who accept
Presbyterians as foremost among
the educators throughout this reg
ion, in response to this appeal, unite
with the citizens of GAINESVILLE, and
orally around the University :"
and let the six Synods who have
taken it in formal charge, approve
themselves true fosteT-mOthers,
seeing to it that their people send
thither their sons and their money,
and no prophets eye or voice are
needed To assure its near and large
success. Thus nurtured, the day
may come, and will, when the Cum
berland shall take the rank with
the classic rivers of our mother land
the Cam and the Isis Of old En-
gland.
Our infant university enters the
field with strong competitors-Sew-
anee, Vanderbilt, and Lebanon are
already entrenched and at work
among the Tennessee hills. Under
the lead of a chancellor who brings
the guarantees of ability, expe-
rience and reputation, it is in the
power of Presbyterlans In the South
west to make it their rival and
their peer.
Can the directors do better than
to send this salutatory as circular
addressed to the churches and com
munities of the Synods of Alabama
Nashville, Memphis