The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-24
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY.
DENOMINATIONAL SECTIONAL.
ISM TO RE DEPLORED.
What IL Needed Most Is a Chancel-
Tor who Is I'm sympathy With
and Knows the Students.
To the Editors of the Appeal:

OXFORD, MISS, July 22.-In yester-
days APPEAL appeared two articles,
one by Herring, OF Water Va ley, and
the other by "Saxet," both of which
were TO me of unusual interest, be-
cause, iu my judgment, they were
nearer the mark in reference to the
late unpleasantness in our State Uni
versity than any, or all, Of the hetero-
geneous articles written heretofore.
Two things are to be deplored in the
discussions which have been going on
for several weeks in reference to this
matter. First, there has been too
much written and said, and that often
by parties poorly prepared to know
whereof they wrote or spoke. Much
that has been said has been irrelevant
to the matter under controversy, and
too much circumocution has been in
dulged in by those who ought to have
known the real cause OF the disaffec-
ton which has existed in the
university fer some years and
have had the manliness of "Saxet"
to speak out the truth. The second
thing TO be deplored is the denomina.
tional sectionalism which much OF the
correspondence assumed. | am a
strict adherent of one OF the largest
denominations represented in the
university, but | would not give utter
anCe to some things which have been
published in the papers, though my
denomination has not a single repre-
sentative in the university or on the
Board OF Trustees. A great institu-
ton like this will not topple into the
abyss of oblivion upon the pivot of
denominst onal tenets. 1t has State
wide foundation upon which to rest.
l exceedingly regret the late action OF
the trustees in turning out the Oldest,
and beyond question the mora intelli-
gent members of the faculty. have
the most profound respect for every
member of the faculty, and would no;
utter a harsh word against one Of
them, but graduate of the univer-
sjty, aud now a leading member of
the bar, and one of Mississippi's
most gifted orators, said in my pres.
ence that the board had turned out
the brains of the university and re-
tanned the mediocre. If this be
true it falls as thunderholt
of reflection upon the competency Of
the board to judge of competency.
The writer was student in the uni.
versity in 1884 and 1885, and not being
a mere beardless boy in his early
teens, but long settled into manhood
before entering the university, he can
not believe that in watching the
course of the university while stu
dent and the year he has been out,
that it was done from the standpoint
OF young shot blood" who wants no
disciplinary restraints put upon him,
but who wishes to roam unchallenged
at pleasure in the great domain OF
youthful freedom and indulgence.
After mixing with the students from
day to day for nearly two years, and
having had much social intercourse
with them the year l have been out,
and all the while hearing expressions
of opinion relative to the offensive
features of the university, coupling
with them my own observations as
student and citizen of Oxford, 1 think
l am prepared to express an opinion
as TO the cauee or causes OF the disaf-
fectioh which has existed in the
student body for the last few years,
and especially the last.
Coeducstion has had something to
do with it, but the main cause, as it
seems 10 me, as we'll as many others
equally IS competent to Judge, is the
want of a competent chancellor. In
making this assertion, 1 do not only
agree wi h "Saxet," bat voice the SEN
tim9nt of every impartial and inform d
mind. l mean by Competent"
mau not 30 far removed from the stu.
dent body but that there may be q
little sssimilstion-or, perhaps, con-
geniality would be better word. Mill
tary regime, set off with those spark
ling gems Of courtesy, kindness and,
above all, affability, is not objection
able. But for a student TO have been
under a chancellor for two years and
not be known to the chancellor, has lis
own explanation. Why not have the
honesty and candor TO tell the truth,
unless we prefer the ruin of a grand
institution to the depriving OF an in
man OF well raging posi-
ton. The crisis is only five days off.
Elk STUDENT,