The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-09


laudation. Continuing, no went on TO
show why Memphis was directly interested
in the university. The city was rapidly
growing. Within the next twenty-five or
thirty years It was confidently predicted
that Memphis would have population of
100000 people. Where was she going to
educate her boys? Where better than
at the University of the South?
II was not only within the borders OF the
State, but 1t was situated on one OF the
most elevated and healthiest plateaus to be
found anywhere, high up on the beautiful
Cumberland mountains, far removed
from the miasma Of the low lands by
which this city is surrounded on all sides.
Then too it had another advantage which
no other university in the land could
boast OF. The college session included The
summer months. There was no more
delightful place to spend the sultry term.
The vacations were in mid-winter when
the young men could return home
and enjoy the holidays, and
pleasures OF these months which are made
so attractive in q social way here, free
from the breads OF miasmatic diseases Ii
was a shame that Memphis should send
her young men to foreign universities
when such advantages were at their doors.
Every business man wanted TO see his son
take high stand in life. Every mother
and father wanted 10 see their sons rise to
eminence. Then send them to the Univer-
sity OF the South, where surrounded by
all It's healthful influences, where the
most thorough training in every
branch OF study, and the infiltration Of
moral principles upon which true man
hood must be built would be instilled into
them. Last year Memphis had only fifteen
students at the university. She should
have had $50. There were 1888 students
there, representing twenty States in the
Union. They were there from cultured
Boston, New York and other great cities
even England, Scotland and Ireland
had students there, besides China had
sent pupil more than 5000 miles to
enjoy the grand advantages Of this
most worthy institution still it was not
good enough for the young men OF Mem.
phis. They must go TO Yale, 10 Harvard
and elsewhere. Such confession was
humiiating indeed. The business men Of
Memphis, and those who wanted their
sons to he well and efficiently educated
could well afford TO think OF this mater in
its proper light They could well afford to
do more and subscribe $4,000 to the en-
dowment fund OF the university"
Bishop Quintard then stated that Mr..
McBee would state TO the audience the
purposes for which he was in the city.
Mr.. McBee proved himself 10 be very
pleasing and effective speaker. lie re-
viewed the history Of the university, the
obstacles which had retarded its progress,
and how manfully those who have devoted
their lives to its upbuilding had labored in
its behalf He said that the university
was fulfilling its mission, but not as ef-
licicntly US Il could do II II had the funds
TO supply the demands upon ii. He wished
II understood that the university did
not come before the people "a
IA a beggar, but II was because the uniyer
sity was growing, and wanted TO be able
TO accommodate the youth who were
ilocking 10 her walls. The faculty con.
sisted OF twenty-seven OF as able and
learned educators M could be found in the
land. Another building was needed; il
would cost $4,000. Ho had been dele
gated by the alumni 10 endeavor TO raise
the amount by an appeal TO lovers Of
higher education in the south. lie had
raised $4,000 in Sewanec. He came
to see what Memphis would do. lie said
he knew IL was not pleasant TO ask men
for money, or rather not always pleasant
for the asker, but he had confidence in the
nobility, the generosity and love OF the
people OF the south for themselves and
for their children. The south had been
reproached long enough for not being more
in love with tho cause OF education; for
one he was tired Of such taunts. The OPP
portunity was ut hand, and II the people
would but assist the university at Sewanee
they would most successfully resent the
jecrs and imputations which had been
brought against thom by their more
favored neighbors. There were only two
questions involved; first, the ability, and
second, the willingness 10 do what was
asked. As for the ability OF the people 10
respond 10 tho appeal thus made 10 them
there was no doubt but were they will
ing, they must decide for themselves
whether they would by their aid help on
tho cause Of civilization and Of God,
OF let II do the best IL could
by itself while they remained
In ignorance OF tho blessings
which higher education brought with Il.
lie would call on the business and profess
sional men Of the city, and all who were
able lac hoped would DO willing TO assist
IN the great work. which would not fail
10 bring It's fruitful returns 10 those who
had helped 1t on.
The Row. DIR. Patterson, OF Grace
church, then delivered brief speech, urg-
ing the claims Of the university upon the
people, and that ii was their moral duty 10