The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-05
SUMMER SCHOOL
At CHAPEL HILL
A Hundred and Sixty leach
ers Enrolled.
AN EXCELLENT FACULTY
SPIRIT THAT PERNADES LIFE
AT THE UNIVERSITY.
SUMMER LAW SCHOOLS ATTENDANCE
Chapel Hill is an Ideal Location for a Univer-
sity and the Fathers BuiIded
Wiser Han They
Knew.

Chapel Hill, n. c., July 4--Editorial
Correspondence THE fathers who To-
Gated the University at this site were
wise in their day and generation. In
fact. the more / reflect upon the wis
dom of the men who began to found
universities before the smoke of the
battles of the revolution had blown
away, the more l marvel ut the big
mould of the men of that era There
were giants in those days" The men who
selected this as the seat of the Uni
yersity of North Carolina builded wiser
than they knew.and the McCauieys ana
Hogans and other farsignted ana pa
triotic farmers who donated the land
upon which it is situate thereby made
their names immortal 1t was a prime
val forest then, in Il salubrious climate
and healthy locality, midway between
the cotton belt of the East and the
wheat fields of Piedmont Carolina. The
thousands of youth who have been
educated here for more than century
have had cause in the health that has
given them sound mind in a sound
body to be glad that the founders select
ed an ideal home for this great seat
of learning. Here no narrow limits con-
fine the student to brick wallis. He has
the liberty and inspiration of the field
and woods together with the uplift OF
the intellectual life that has during all
the years of its existence made the Uni
versity city set upon a hill. giving
light and cheer to the whole common
wealth.
The modern trend is to build col
leges and universities in the centres or
trade and commerce. There are advan-
tages and disadvantages 10 both city
and country environment, but / never
come to this lovely place without feeling
how much better the location in charm
ing village. with the country right at
hand, than amid the smoke and din Of
great city. The campus here. with its
shade from venerable oaks. invites to
study and reflection. The roar OF Il
city 5 traffic invites TO business activity.
The student needs the quiet of such Il
spot as this to give him that absorption
of books that gives him preparation for
the busy world into which he is to enter.
Unless he has in his college days con-
tracted the habit of study and reflection,
he cannot attain it when he has en-
barked upon business or professional
career. Here he finds professors and
fellow students absorbed in study. He
may waste his time in idleness, but if
so he is under a ban. The atmosphere
is charged with study and progress. ana
every incentive is to learn. Where
such a spirit obtains as pervades the air
IN this retreat Of letters. the ambitious
youth finds study delight as well as a
duty.
The steady growth of the University
is felt in the remOtest section Of the
State. and here you find the reason for
that growth that has been marvellous.
The secret is that there is here gathered
faculty Of eminent scholars, who in
addition to scholarship keep in close
touch with the thought and activities
of the people in all the walks Of life.
seeking to be helpful in every way that
means the progress and prosperity Of the
commonwealth.
1t heightens ones State pride TO visit
this seat Of learning. where the sim
plicity of real achievement and high
purpose make extravaganza and display
seem vulgar and unlovable The sons
of the rich and the poor meet here
upon common ground Of equality, real
1zIng that the only test that tells is
the test of character and scholarship.
The University has been blessed i'm all
It's career by having none but '.sun
crowned men fill the high office of
president. The youngest man chosen to
that high ofhce-tgreater in my estima-
ton that that of Governor)-is President
Alderman. He has more than met public
expectation and worthily wears the man
tie of his illustrious predecessors. He
has two advantages not enjoyed by any
former president:
!. After graduating at the University
he devoted eight or ten years as teach
er and superintendent of graded schools
coming in personal contact first as teach
or Of small children, the best preparation
any teacher can have for broad knowl-
edge of educational methods. and then
as superintendent he had that oversight
and direction that gives exercise to eX-
ecutiye talent.
=. As conductor of Teachers Institutes
he met the public school teachers face to
face in nearly every county in the State.
came to know the obstacles under which
they labOred and TO see and feel the need
OF better pubic schools III the country.
That experience broadened and strength
ened him and was his best preparation
for the great office to which he was call
ed. In truth, the trustees were glad to
elect him because to scholarship and the
tastes of the scholar he added that
knowledge of educational needs and sym
pathy with all educational efforts that
ought to be found in the head of the
public school system of the State. | dc
not count his education. grace as an
orator, or his scholarship his most useful
gift 1t is his democracy-a democracy
that makes him see in the barefooted boy
on the mountain side the potentialty OF
greatness and yearn to help him climb
the steps where Fame's proud temple
shines affair."
The chief interest here at this time CEN