The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-23
PRESIDENT vENABLE ON WHAT
THE UNIVERSITY HAS DONE.

The address of President venable
nea the opening Of the University of
North Carolina for the present schol-
astic year. is instructive and interest
ing. Its theme Is the Record OF the
University" but not formally stated.
It gives a clear, concise but historical
resume Of what the leading institution
Of learning has accomplished in its log
years Of history and labor. 1t may
prove acceptable to a considerable por-
ton OF the readers Of the Messenger
to learn something Of the work done.
In the great war twelve in each hun
dred Of all her son fell-one in every
eight. Every member of the Fresh
he was in poor health OF the class of
1860, one in every three gave his life 10
the great, most sacred cause In the
famous charge Of the 18th North Car
DINA at Gettysburg on the third day,
81 University men were killed Presi-
dent Venable correctly says that this
regiment lost 81 NTH IN every hundred,
the greatest o $ recorded in modern
history and this small shattered frag-
ment of a heroic band formed part OF
those to whom the nobl leader of the
C~onfederacy gave the post of honor of
defending the rear of the army OF
Northern Virginia" Well is it that
DIR. Venable exclaims:
"Oh! Mother of the heroic dead,
49, 80 H. --4- ~ rhnfr deviation
to duty, of their great love for country
and for thee"
OF the students now attending. IS
have taught in the public schools. To
the University is due the credit of be-
ginning the Normal School. Also 1t
began the Agricultural and Mechanical
training in his State. Thus far be
~nevolent, public-spirfted friends have
helped the University to h amount Of
a cent for buildings, and 1T is a posi-
tive reflection upon the State, a re-
proach and a shame. The material
equipment has come entirely from in
d%ividuals and friends of the important
school. In the last fifteen years over
500, 900 has been given to the endow-
ment of ~professorships and scholar
ships. A great deal more ought to flow
in for this noble, benignant purpose.
its faculty is seven times larger than it
was twenty-five years ago. Think of
that and help. The President says
that with it's meagre income this Uni
versity is doing the work Of instFtu-
---- - L-.~- "a ,r4-JtI Dxy rioid
economy and the straining Of every
nerve, these great results have been
accomplished. 1t has meant self-sac-
riice, hard work and wise application
of limited means. During that time
it has matriculated 1855 students and
has graduated 562. He gives MS
agreeable and encouraging statement:
THE teachers gathered in the sum-
mer schools have exceeded two thou
sand in number, the actual matricu-
lates with duplicates, amounting to
3,4OS. This in itself has been an enor-
nous impetus to the educational de-
velopment of the state, blu besides this
some 40 per cent. of the graduates
have taught which means over one
thousand trained teachers who have
themselves taught other teachers, thus
disseminating h influence of the uni
versity in ever widening circles. Twen-
ty superintendents have been supplied
for the city graded schools and a large
number of principals for these and
private schools. The professors sent
out for ariou colleges in the land
number more than fifty"
The state of North Carolina gives the
most beggerly support to the state
rrnix-arSitr thar iS oriUon hU nnU static
in the union to its university. Can
any genuine, progressive North Caro-
linian take pleasure in hat statement,
A narrow bigot might to do so.
The contributions of all kinds from
friends exceed what the state has con-
tributed by $751; 600. DR.. Venable very
appropriately says just here:
IF We balance up accounts in this
way then we must further consider
that the state has secured without
cost to itself the education of the re-
naming 1000 students and more whom
we have counttd upon as not going be-
yond our borders for their education.
And this is where the poor man reaps
the benefit of his state university.
The rich man can send his son abroad
for an education and returning home
he meets with little competition for
the high places of the land But
through it's university the state of
North Carolina offers to every citizen
rich and poor, the same educational adj
vantages. Side by sid they compete
for academic honorS and to each an
equal opportunity is given to make the
most OF his powers and of his life"
OF the class that was graduated in
JLIe last, 40 per cent r teaching.
OF the present number attendingNSO-
ninety-six have already taught In
the address scattered here and there
are paragraphs of appeal and potency
tina should arouse attention. For in
stance the new president says:
THE citizens of this state cannot af-
ford to have this university narrowed
down I o the political platform of any
one party, to the creed of a single
sect, to the economic beliefs of anv
individual philanthropiSt Parties,
churches, philanthropists, all can cen
ter their efforts here and unite in the
making of a great peop'e, a grand COM
monwealth, but the people must con-