The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-03

scholarship. When the University OF
Virginia was organized Thomas Jefferson
induced five English scholars to become
members OF its faculty, because forsooth
talent had not developed In this country.
The time has been in the South when
there was almost a necessity for north
ern men to fill the chairs OF instruction,
but in recent years more and more SOUTH
ern men Of first rate talent have been
preparing themselves in the best univer-
stiles Of this country and Europe for the
highest grade of work. A few years ago
a good many OF these brighter men went
to northern institutions where they
might have la ger resources with which
to work, but now as endowments and IL
braries and laboratories are increasing, a
constantly number Of them are not Only
content but eager to work in southern
institutions, because they see there an
opportunity of doing permanent work in
the regeneration and reconstruction Of
Southern life. Their names are not
known by many people in this audience.
they are not in the public eye, but within
the next decade you will see the achieve
ments of this band of scholars who are
working in the name of truth for the
widening of the horizons Of human knowl
edge.
With the advance Of scholarship in ths
South and with the scholars reeogni-
ton of his place in a democratic order,
there have come and will come, more and
more, freedom of thought and freedom
of speech Scholars are bringing to bear
upon southern life the influence of mo-
dern ideas and insisting on open mind
J7o Inn,
virtues of a progressive people. Teachers
Of literature and are bringing young men
into a larger world Of thought-"sn
ampler ether, divine air -
striving to put them in touch
with the best. revelation of genius
and the artistic record Of their race.
Teachers of history. with scientific aeura-
cy and yet a vital feeling for the past,
are bringing to US the experience Of the
world as a guide for our future life, and
are writing the history of this section
not according to the demands of senti-
ment but with the accuracy Of truth.
Teachers of political science are giving
order now so manifest, and are bringing
to the new social problems engendered
thereby the results OF the best experience
scienee-technical and theoretical-are
making us familiar with scientific prin-
cipIes and methods, and are bringing into
our thought those truths that have revo-
Iutionized modern philosophy. Teachers
of Biblical literature. loyal to the essen
tiaI truth Of the old faith. are yet brave
enough to accept truth from whatever
source 1t may come and to abide by the
NOV Lad
Such scholars cannot do their work
without exciting opposition and preiu
dice. The question of academic freedom
is a live question here, as elsewhere in
the country More than many have real
lied. freedom Of speech has won its
place in southern institutions. Professor
Trent was attacked severely by some
Southern newspapers and public men for
his life OF William Gilmore Simms and
Southern Statesmen of the Old Regime,
but the University of the South was
thoroughly loyal to him while many men
in other institutions rallied about him.
Professor Houston was attacked for eer-
tain opinions Of Southern history but
he is today at the head of leading insti-
tuition of Texas and highly honored
throughout the South. The recent fore
ed resignation of Professor Sledd would
not have taken place in some Southern
institutions with which I am acquainted
and whose faculties unhesitatingly con-
demned the action of the Emory College
trustees. A book containing the adj
dresses of a dozen of the most prominent
presidents and professors of Southern
colleges would be surprise to the aca
demic circles of the North that have not
watched closely the development Of the
most recent phases or southern life. The
sewanee Review that has just completed
ten years successful history and the South
Atlantic Quarterly. now in its second
year, have given notable expressions to
the most thoughtful opinions Of Southern
While giving due attention to these urt-
Unstable evidences Of increasing freedom