The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-18
AN UNEXPECTED EDITORIAL.

A valued friend whom we have
known we'll since the forties at the
University of North Carolina, like all
true friends Of that venerable and
progressive sea Of learning, writes
to us concerning the mex president
for that famous institution. He says:
knowing of your exceeding loyalty
to the university and having the very
highest opinion of your judgment, /
write TO ascertain who you think Is
the best man for it's president. 1 hope
the trustees will make no mistake in
selecting the right man at the June
meeting"
We have been unable to arrive at a
clear, satisfactory conclusion. We do
not believe the best mar is a profess
sional eacher. We do not know now
a man TO be preferred above Judge
Common, of Wilson. He mas probably
more Of the qualities that we believe
enter into the man for the place than
any other. We have not the slight
est idea as to his accepting the place.
We have had no communication with
any man who has been named.
IL "OOAo ~ LoAA VI NANAA'
certain that the trustees will make a
great blunder if they 10 not look to
the highest moral qualities as we'll as
to the distinguished administrative
ability. A wise, able, well trained
thinker and worker-a broad man, a
noble man, a progressive a a gen.
uine product of North Carolina, will
fill the bill above any imported man.
Do you know that for he most part
North Carolina institutions of the bet
ter kind are more frequently governed
by men of other states than by our
own. And yet it is true that natives
here have been much sought after in
other states. Several night be named.
Writing unexpectedly again of the
University of North Carolina, we are
glad to copy what DR.. Alderman late
1y wrote to a friend in this city, in
which he himself was born. 1t is so
charming in it's pathos, SO full of de-
votion and gratitude that we make no
apology for it. Reading It We are glad
that The Messenger was the first pa
per in all the world to point to him
as the man, for the vacant place. THE
man and the hour met in MIN. ,
writes:
Il beg you to communicate. in some
way, to the alumni and to my dear
friends who were so good as to write
me urging that / stay at the head of
the university, tina / appreciate most
deeply their kindly action. That &C
ton almost made the task of resign
ing beyond my power. The
of appreciation is pretty feeble. 1t is
like the language of regret and grief
in that respect, but / have the feeling
very deep in my heart that their APP
probation and good will is the finest
thing that has come to me in my life.
/ have tried to do the large. right
thing in this matter. 1 LAY weighed
every factor in the problem. / have
tried to see things in their relations.
The result was the decision to GO. l
hope it was wise. / shall try to make
it wise. 1t gave me great unhappiness
to reach this decision and / believe
that every good man sympathized with
me in the problem before me. When
life is not a tragedy it is very apt to
be a puzzle. 1t would never have en-
tered my mind or heart to seek to
leave this dear spot, but the offer came
and one. had to face the situation in a
manly strong way. 1t gives me such
pain to think of going that 1 do not
talk about the matter very clearly 1
fear.
1T would be absurd for me, 1 think,
to protest that I shall always love n
labor for the University of North Car
olina One might as we'll assure the
mother that bore him that he will not
forget her, as he starts On a long jour-
ney. With best wishes. am.
&c. A. ALDERMAN"