The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-05-11
THE UNIVERSITY AND IT'S FUTURE

Our friend DR.. E. A. Alderman has
resigned the presidency of the Univer-
sity of North Carolina. We were pre-
pared for this action, but in common
with the real friends of the old insti-
tuition of learning we very sincerely re-
gret it. He goes into a larger field with
far richer endowment. But he ex-
changes the almost perfect health of the
healthiest of towns, Chapel Hill, for the
miasma of the Mississippi river and
Lake Po~ntchartrain, with the probable
ity of occasional visits from Yellow
Jack. Then too he will be over-worked
by reason of wider opportunities for
educational service" We hope it will
prove all it promises, this change pro-
posed, but we have grave m~isgivings.
He is known ard loved in North Caro-
lima. 1t is his native land, his home
and his people are here. We are re-
gretful and do not attempt to conceal
it. But may heavens blessings attend
him, and may he prosper in the wick
eldest of American cities, the most god
less, the most European. We prefer old
North Carolina with it's hog and hon.
my, and bacon and green's, to all the
luxuries of a city n all the broaden
ing opportunities it may offer. We felt
that way when in manhood's prime.
But we do not censure DR.. Alderman
for his course. The invitation is fiat
tering in d certain sense, and yet not
ton.
And now who shall succeed this elo-
quent, gifted, faithful gentleman, who
has done large things for the univer-
sity? He has placed it on such a high
vantage ground hat it will be COM
paratively easy to keep it in motion
and perhaps to even reach a higher
grade with a vaster sweep of vision.
1t was never so prosperous, never
50 useful as now He deserves the
thanks as we'll as the admiration of all
people who are faithful to the Univer-
sity of North Carolina, second, we be-
lieve, neither to Tulane nor any other
in h south unless it be the UNIVERSE
~ty of Virginia.
Who shall be DR.. Alderman's sue
-cessor. Let the trustees AXE counsel
and consider well. We wish to ask a
question. The University elected two
strong, we'll equipped native North
Carolinians as president within the
last fifteen years. They were profess
sional and accomplished teachers.
Two southern universities invited
them to become their president, and
they accepted.
No nCk fhtc-I VIII II NOT hn urfcor ND
better to elect some able layman, and
yet native here and to the manner
born?" This is thrown out as a hint.
Is there not living today some native
son not a teacher who would fill the
chief chain with distinguished ability
and success. Is there not some gen.
tleman of administrative talents, of
high morale, of marked mental gifts.
a thinker a student, a man of Saving
who would give force
and influence and the guarantee of yet
greater achievements to the venerable
university!
We do net know enough of the law
men of the best parts. There NAV he
many who would make an excellent
president of our highest and noblest
educational institution. What of
Judge Shepherd? If he is the man
. elect him if he will accept. There is
Judge Walter Clark, a man of marked
abilities. who is Industry personifed.
Then there are others who might be
named. We believe it will be decided
~ preferable to elect an accomplished
and able layman.
General Botha's wife is Irish. related