The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-06-16
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
THE PAPERS CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE IT'S LocA-
TIoN AT AUSTIN.


Correspondence Houston Post:
"Austin HIS formally announced its
candidacy for the state university,
resting its hopes for success on
claims that no other city in Texas
can present. Apart from the pos
session of the principal state lnstitu--
tions, the extreme healthfulness of
its geographical advantages, there is
an inspiration in the panorama OF
scenic beauty surrounding it on ev-
cry side that seems to say, "This
should be the COrinth of Texas"
Nowhere III the United States, and
certainly nowhere in Texas, is the
scenery so beautifully diversified
with q succession of beautiful lawns
of the richst emerald, set in woods
of liveoak, with cedar and 1iveoak
crowned hills, whose frowning cliffs
and roaring cataracts are suggestive
of "ye mountains of old Greece"
with beautiful caves where
depending winds the shelving caverns screen,
With purple clusters blushing through the
green" .--f ..H -r.. r.
And with a city of marble charming
in its midst, and beautiful enough
in the distance to be mistaken at
sunset for the New Jerusalem just
defending from the skies. Indeed,
it is safe to say that competition
with Austin for the university
springs from no higher motive than
merely commercial one."
The Tribune, Orange: "The rea-
sons therein set forth Tin the circu-
lar of the citizens of Austin) for the
location of the university at the capt.
tai of the state are sound in every
particular, and should be borne in
mind by the people at the ballot
box" ss.,..a
Editorial Houston Post: ''The
Austin boom goes bravely on. From
every part of the country, except
certain interested localities. come
assurances of preference and sup
port for the capital. There is a
homely old proverb about the poll
cy ofletting well enough alone. The
fathers of the country had in their
day. forty-odd years ago, arranged
the whole matter. They had desig-
mated the locality and donated the
site. Of course their choice is not
absolute. 49," l..
But the Texan people will hardly
revolt from their choice out of pure
perversity, or in order tosshow that
they have the power. These trainers
of the university plan were not ty-
rants, or oppressors of any kind I;
they were simply our fathers, and
their words and wishes are at least
entitled to respectful attention.
If it can be shown in the almost half
century that has interviewed, that the
nature of things has changed, then it
would be requisite for an exercise of
judgment in alteration of the
conditions of the university. But
have such changes taken place?
1t would be idle to say that they
have been changed, except for the
better. Austin is as healthy, as
beautiful and as commodious as
ever. The city is yet the capital of
the state, the main seat of JUS
tice, the center of governmental and
benevolent institutions. 1t has full
filled its promise of becoming a
f1ourishing city, seated in the midst
of a fertile and thriving country, and
accessible by rail, state and county
roads. The changes have all been
in its favor; why then change? Let
well enough alonel Our fathers
knew what they were about when
they planted, by intention, at Aus
TIN. Let their wisdom prevail an d
their wishes be respected. We do
not wish to say one word against
Waco, or any other place, that de-
sires the university; but can they
offer any more than Austin? No.
Why then disregard the appoint
ment of the founders. Let well
enough alonep a-i.. .,, .6a-.
The Courier, Bolton, speaking of
the location of the state University,
says: .i.
"Of course Waco wants it. Waco
wants it, badly. Waco wants pretty
much everything. If there is any
thing Waco don't want, we fear the
poor little wandering entity would
sadly need encouragement before it
found local habitation."
The Guard, Goliad: We have al
ready indicated our preference for
| Austin, as the site of the University
proper, and Galveston as the point
at which to establish the medical de-
partment, if a separation be decided
upon.