The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-01
NORTH CAROLINAINISOe AND NOW

The Asheville Gazette published a
document Of some historic interest.
1t was a letter to the Boston AnthoI-
g Of 1906. written by a Raleighite on
February oath of that year. 1t was an
attempt to give what he ignorantly
called Literature OF North Carolina"
He clearly had no conception Of the
proper meaning of that vastly abused
word literature He shows hat in
referring to newspapers and some law
reports. He said and tina is interest
ing:
There are only ten presses in the
state, viz: two in Raleigh, two in
New Bern, and one in each Of the
towns Of Edenton, Halifax, Whining
ton, Fayetteville, Salisbury and War
renton. From each of these presses
issues a weekly paper, except the one
in Salisbury, which is employed in
printing handbills and pamphlets"
The only literature" aside from the
legal reports he could find were a pam
phlet or two and the following:
"A journey TO Lake Drummond, by
Lemuel Sawyer. The events are with
out language most superlative bonn
baSt. Published eight or ten years
ago.
Matilda Berkeley, a novel. About
on a level with the Massachusetts
novel of the coquette, or Eliza Whar-
ton. Published by J. Gales in 1904.
History of the Ketukick Baptist as
ISOLATION. by Burkit and Read. Boy
Ian. 1904.
\ Masonick Ritual. Published under
the direction of the G.. Lodge of North
Carolina. The best of it's kind. Sims.
1906.
Davies's Calvary. An excellent sys-
tenn. Hodges. 1888"
North Carolina has advanced since
1906. 1t has but little literature" yet,
but there are some works by natives of
ability, learning and interest. The
writer said of Rev. Joseph Caldwell,
first president Of the University of
North Carolina, that he lis the first
scientific and literary character of the
state. He is now employed in writing
a book on Mathematics, intended as a
school book. Two sermons and an eu-
logiunl of General Washington by him,
which have been published separately
in pamphlets, are handsome specimens
of his abilities. I know of no other
pamphlets hat merit the respect OF
being named"
The early days of the university were
something rough if not stormy. 1t be-
gan business in 1895 under much m
barrassment. The writer Of the letter
thus turns on the light:
at received from the state a donation
of all balances then due the state from
revenue officers, all confiscated and
eScheat property, and a loan OF $4,000.
To a huge mishapen pile" which is
placed on a high rocky eminence %
miles to the westward Of this, has been
ILL., a~ n
donation from General Thomas Person
built a neat chapel. After considerable
difficulties were experienced on ac-
count of recompetent teachers and in
surrections among the students, the in
under the direction of Mr..
Caldwell, two professors n two tu-
tors, acquired regularity and consis-
tency in its exercises, when our en-
enlightened legislature discovered that
education was inconsistent with repub-
licanism. that it created an aristocracy
of the learned, who would trample upon
the rights and liberties of the ignorant.
and that al equality Of intellect was
necessary to preserve the equality OF
rights. Influenced by these wise and
patriotick considerations, the legisla-
ture gave themselves again, what
they had before given to the univer-
sity."
1lOSC AoNAlCi N~
parsimonious times. There are people
living in 1901, in North Carolina, who
probably cherish the same prejudicies
against popular education and equal
hostility to having a state centre and
head of education. The writer OF the
letter gave a more cheerful report OF
the education OF the girls. He wrote.
There is an excellent female acad-
envy. lately established by the Society
of the United Brethren Moravians) at
Salem. here are very good academies
in Raleigh. New Bern, Fayetteville,
L~ewisburg, Warrenton. and two or
three others. a publick library has
been founded in New Bern by a dona-
ton Of $500 from Thomas Tomlinson."
He knew Of but one other public IL
brary-one in Iredel county. Now the
Libraries are many and increasing.
Good boys and girls schools are all over
the state, and the public school system
is improving al 1.-THE time. The univer-
sity has some forty teachers in its fac
ulty. many fine buildings and over 200
students in attendance. Hurrahi for
the University any way. May 1t on
tinue to widen and deepen and grow
great until all shall acknowledge It's
supremacy and superiority!
Dr.. stephen Weeks and Professor