The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-03
For President Of the University.

To the Editor When, almost a penni-
less youth. with a heart yearning to ac
quire a collegiate education that | might
to some extent attain unto the ideals
then abiding in my soul when | was
not able to enter the college of my faith,
on account of it's lack of funds for needy
students and ! almost despaired TO
what steps to pursue when. like Bruce.
of Scotland | cried 'I'll give it up.
just then. through the beDefcence of the
big-hearted DR.. Battle, the University
took me in transformed me from the
darkness of ignorance into the light of in
telligence qualified me for the attain
ment of any cherished hope. and stimu-
lated in my heart such fondness and
admiration for learning. growth and
development that / shall not let the cause
of my destiny drag in the dust until
am crowned victor over the last enemy.
Were | not grateful to my alma mater
for such unbounded philanthropy and
life. and most Jealous of her present
welfare and future progress. | should
deserve contempt. such as if l were to
scCrn my mother.
Hence. these bold and brave words in
an hour when the Universlty's greet
leader, DR.. Alderman, has left her, and
she is considering the ability of num-
erous other educators. TO promote the
one best equipped to fill the position
made vacant by his resignation and to
take up the banner where DR.. Alder
man laid it down and bear it heroicallv
on until the Old North State is rescued
from the thraldom of ignorance.
DR.. Alderman is a great man-great
in character. great on the rostrum,
great as an educator. powerful in eX-
ample, at home and abroad; but history
teaches that DO man is so great but that
there is another just as great. For
example. for every Napoleon there is
Wellington. for every Lee there is
Grant And, therefore, | arise before the
public and second the nomination of Prof.
p p ClaXtor. of the State Normal and
Industrial School, Of Greensboro. as
man cminently qualified to be president
of the University and urge the trustees
to weigh heavily the following essential
requisites in his favor;
First.-There is scarcely a man any,
where profounder in liberal learning, ped
goggles and history of education.
Secondly-There is no man in North
Carolina or elsewhere more closely iden
titled and more thoroughly in sympathy
with public education.
Thrdly-With due respect to any ara
all our great educators. not one is more
magnetic and entertaining on the rog
trum. and more popular with the public
school teacher. county superintendent
and supervisors.
Fourthly-Hc is energetic enthlsial
tic. progressive and with his fine Chris
tian character in bold relief would pro-
claim the Gospel of Christian education
from the mountains to the sea, both b.
precept and example.
Fifthly.-I.ike the present incumbent
he is no politician and the Unvcrsjtv
under his administration, would con-
tinue to enjoy progressive and real life
instead of being Handicapped by the stag
nant effects of party machinery.
Sixthly-He is a native North Caro-
lnian. has already devoted years of
successful effort in her uplifting and if
thus encouraged will live and die III her
midst dispensing light and wholesome in
fiuence
Inference: Any fair minded citi';en Of
North Carolina would readily concedc
that these requisites should be enthr)h-
ed in the heart and mind IF any man
who is president of the University.
Will any one deny that thew ere not
very prominent in the life of Prof. CaH-
ton? To say they are not is as cVprc8-
sionless as saying Shakespeare IS not
prominent among literateurs.
Then. gentlemen of the trustees rrof.
p. p. Claxton is the logical man for pres :
| idcnt of the University.
GEO. II. CROMWELL.