GIFT OF l--^ •3'i3^ ADDRESS To the Alumni and Friends of the University of North Carolina : The following extract is fiom the report of the Treasurer of the University, in I^ovember, 1868: *^ The indebtedness of the University is estimated to be not much less than $60,000, though I have been unable to ascertain the exact amount. To secure these debts, a deed in trust was executed on the 30th of April, 1867, conveying about one thousand acres of land and other valuable property, in the county of Orange, belonging to the University, and also about five thousand acres of land in the county of Buncombe. The payment of these debts, or the closing of the trust, will be enforced at an early day, and it will be for the Legislature to determine whether this valuable property shall be sold under the trust, or a sufficient appropriation be made to satisfy the debts, and thereby redeem the property." It is hoped that a judicial determination will soon be had which will more precisely fix the habilities of the University. I deem the present a suitable time, when I may, as an Alumnus^ submit a proposition for its relief. Before doing so, however, it will not be improper for me to recur briefly to some leading events that have marked my connection with the Institution. I entered the Freshman Class of the University in the year 1849, at the age of seventeen, and graduated in 1853. During the same year I was appointed by the Trustees to the Tutorship of Mathematics and entered upon the dis- charge of my duties in that department in January, 1854. Six years thereafter I was appointed, without application, to the position of Adjunct Professor of Pure Mathematics. As there were at that time twb^,!BrpJfe{$80i*s of Mathematics, and my promotion left no Tutor ia that department, I accepted this act on the part of the Trustees as a token of theur favor; and having declined invitations to full Professorships in tv^o other institutiong of learning, con- tinued in the servicfe of the University. The vocation was congenial to my feelings, and I regarded the position as one of useftililess and honor. In 1866 I applied to the Trustees for a fiirlough. The reason offered by me lor this step^^, that, the scanty and insufficient sum derived through the limited patronage which the University then had,|aight air go to eke out the salaries of-^ny 6Mer col- leagues in the Faculty. Th^ application "§rats promptly g^ted, and I resolved to hold myself m readiness to ,v;?' return to the Institution whenever the Trustees might .[00 request my services. In 1868 I was appointed a Trustee, ^-' and in January, 1869^ I was Invited to the Presidency. I had observed the management and condition of the University too closely to be ignorant of its great embar- rassment at that time. I was not unmindful of the heavy responsibilities with which my re-entrance upon duty, in this new position, would burdeni^e. I saw that the number of students had greatly decreased ; that the Insti- tution had lost much of its former prestige; that its endowment was gone; that its valuable property had been mortgaged for heavy debts, some of which, especially those due the estate of its former President, were legal and entirely just; that the buildings were in need of re- pairs, and their roofs leaking to such a degree as to imperil the books and property in the Libraries; that although the death of President Swain had occurred several months before, and the Trustees, at a public meeting, held in the Senate Chamber, in the City of Ealeigh, in IsTovember, had taken action looking to the appointment of a Faculty on the first day of January following, yet, so far as I could ^ ascertain, there had been no applicant for the position, nor was any one known to be willing to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Presidency under such embarragsing circumstances. I was recalled, and the position was tendered to me. ; F014 Momena; I hesitarted. Some of my ■'K-. ■K friends advised me to decline the offer. They believed that my best efforts would pro;^e^ut a thankless task. They reminded me of my duty IS; my family. I was holding a quiet and remtiinerative office, from which I realized an actual income much greater than I could even hope, under the most favorable circumstanc^f sto receive as President of the University. I '^s aware t^at my predecessor had been a gentleman of rare talents ana long experience, and that Iiis place would be difficult- to fill. I foresaw that ^very act of mine would be the subject of keen criticism, Vim dreaded to undertake the performance of a task so hazardous. On the other hand, the exercises of the Institution had been suspended, and it was suggested that, should I refuse my services, the day might be distant on which its doors could be re-opened. I was convinced that the buildings should be occupied, and was unwiUing that the superior facilities for education, which could here be afforded, should remain unoffered while so many of our youth were grow- ing up in idleness or turning their steps to the Colleges of other and distant States. Neither the former Board of Trustees nor the present one, in their conduct towards me, had given me any cause of complaint. Both had seemed to manifest their partiality by tendering me posi- tions which other gentlemen were more competent than myself to fill. At my own request the Trustees of the CTniversity had promptly granted me leave of absence ; I returned at their bidding. By some, my com'se has been severely censured. By others, it has been warmly approved and applauded. It has not yet occasioned me any regret or self-reproach. I supposed that the present Trustees were a legally con- stituted body, and that their offer to me was made in good faith. When they invited me to my present posi- tion, it was not distinctly stated that my services would be required for only a limited time ; nor have I yet been officially informed as to the precise date when my term of office will expire. Yet it has been generously intimated to me by other parties, from time to time, through the columns of our State papers, that my successor would soon be chosen. I have recently had the honor of observ- ing the nomination of several distinguished gentlemen for my position. I have always desired to see a fair and free discussion of all questions pertaining to the University. In my first public report, at the annual commencement in June, 1869, I invited a careful public scrutiny of the Institution. I have not objected to a just and respectful criticism. Mis- representatiop, ridicule and scandal are resorted to only by the consciously weak, but with the ignorant they are often more potent than truth and reason. The vulgar and unscrupulous deal blows which gentlemen of cultiva- tion and refinement seldom condescend to give, and often find themselves poorly prepared to parry. I have not infi:equently found it difficult to distiuguish the friends of the University from its eneuLies. Some who should be its friends, by an indefatigable use of their pens, have done much to turn the tide of patronage away from the Institution and the State. It is to be regretted that the efforts of anonymous writers, who claim to be its Mends, have only tended to bring the University into dis- repute. If their time and ingenuity had been more ju- diciously expended, all differences might long ago have been adjusted, all classes reconciled, and the Institution ^ set forward upon a career of prosperity and usefulness. If the immense service so freely rendered, had been dif- ferently directed, and the labors of these professed friends had been combined in some useful employment, in the field or the factory, they might have earned enough money to pay off the debt that now weighs down the Institution. I have entertained the opinion that the present unfor- tunate condition of the University has resulted mainly from its financial embarrassment. Had it been free from debt in 1869, and able to boast of an endowment yielding a handsome income, the course pursued towards it would have been very different. Prior to the war it was well endowed and prosperous. Its Trustees were not compell- ed to look long or far away for Professors to fill its vacant chairs. Its defects, though observed, were not eagerly pnbUshed. The tongue of scandal was silent. True Mends are sometimes more clearly revealed in the dark- ness of adversity than in the light of prosperity. While the debts of the University are unpaid, and it continues to be made a theme of political discussion by the press and upon the stump, there can be but little hope of its real prosperity and usefulness. So long as it is felt that the whole character of the Institution must be affec- ted by the ascendency of this or that party, it cannot re- ceive the confidence and support of the people. There should be one place, at least, in North Carolina to which our youth may retire from the din and heat of party strife, to pursue in quiet the walks of Literature and Science. That place should be the University. In reply to a letter from me, one of the purest and most energetic men of the State writes, under date of April 26th, 1870 : **Oordially do 1 reciprocate your expression that political fervor and partizan strife are the grand errors of our people at this time. That they are not only the occasion of our barren and desolate fields, but are sowing seeds of bitterness in families and neighborhoods, and of irreligion and infidelity in the hearts of our children. This quotation from your letter should be emblazoned upon the doors of all our public offices and institutions, and places of pleasure and business, and its spirit cherished in the hearts of all our fellow-citizens, and then would soon arise a brighter and better day for the impoverished and struggling citizens of our mother State. As long as her ripphng waters flow from her mountains to the ocean, or the pine trees of her eastern plains shall bend before impending storms, I shall love her in all her parts, in all her interests, and in all her population." In the months of August and September, 1869, 1 pub- lished in the Kaleigh Sentinel, over the signature of **A ISToRTH Carolikian," a series of communications upon the subject of the " University and the Public SchoolsJ'^ In the last of these I took occasion to use the following language : "During the decade beginning with the yeax 6 ^- 1808, the University recorded 715 matriculates and 110 graduates. Beginning with the year 1818, there were 1,308 matriculates and 259 graduates ; with the year 1828, there were 1,005 matriculates and 146 graduates ; with the year 1838, there were 1,597 matriculates and 308 graduates ; with the year 1848, there were 2,923 matric- ulates and 448 graduates ; with the year 1858, there were 1,872 matriculates and 410 graduates; making a grand total of nearly 10,000 matriculates. During the period of twenty years, beginning wit^June, 1848, nearly one thousand of these were my college 'mates, and above three thousand have been my pupils. Man;fof those who were dear to me in life's spring-time, and whose increasing usefulness I watched with anxious and affec- tionate interest, now rest quietly in their graves. Their names are upon the record that lies before me, and their memory is yet pleasant as the "fragrance of flowers fresh fallen." Many still survive, and from them, scattered all over the land, come frequent letters of congratulation and cordial greeting. One of these, who fought bravely in the Southern army during the late war, writes from a North- ern State : *'l!^o one entering upon a field of duty so conscientiously as yourself, need have any fears of ultimate success ; and I am sure the University is far better off than when it was first put into operation, after the revo- lutionary war ; and I should judge the State authorities intend it shall prosper. With my best wishes for your success," &c. Another from the far South : "I hope, my dear sir, you have not forgotten me, as I entertain a most distinct and pleasant memory both of yourself and your class room. Many of my class-mates were killed near me in the army of Virginia, and I myself am writing to you with my left hand, having had my right arm ampu- tated at the shoulder joint at the battle of Gettysburg,'' &c. And a class-mate writes, " The University must be made a great power for good. Of its final success in your hands I have no doubt ; not however without opposition. The press will growl, prejudices will be excited, ridicule at- tempted. But I trust that in the genuine spirit of the great Apostle, you may truly say, *iione of these things move me.' " And from another class-mate, an intimate associate in the morning of our youth, now filling a position of usefulness and honor in Delaware; and recently from a College-mate, a minister of the Gospel, residing in a sister State, quoting in his letter to me a prayer he had just been offering in his closet for the success and prosperity of the University. And from ceijtral and eastern and western North Carolina, come these messages full of hope and encouragement." More recently a distinguished graduate writes, *^My mind often recurs in moments of leisure to my alma mater. It is the spot where the best memories of my past centre. And I trust that under your management, notwithstanding the prejudices that have been excited against it, the University will eclipse its former prosperity." And still more recently, from a class- mate who stood side by side with me in our four years of generous rivalry in the recitation room, and halls of the Ph|j|inthropic Society, and who has since received a flat- g popular vote for Congress, *'I have often recurred with pleasure to my alma mater — ^her classic memories and the generous rivahy of my^ fellows there. In a few <^ years more, with God's blessing,^ shall have two sons ^^ prepared for College. I wish them to be educated at the University where their fether was. I conceive it to be the duty of every patriotic and chivalrous !N'orth Carolinian to build up and sustain the University, and to promote the cause of education throughout the masses. Let us correspond and remember the days of yore." And since the opening of the present new year, from a gifted clergy- man of the Protestant Episcopal Church, now residing in 5 a. distant State, but belonging to one of the tnost respect- able and highly esteemed families in ij^Torth Carolina, **I retain very high veneration for the University. And although I left her under trying circumstances, and was not able to reap the frill benefit of her training, still I have endeavored not to bring her into 'disrepute." The Alumni are dispersed over nearly every State of the Union. By many of them their alma mater will be .'^••' n, y-^ ; v-" t - , -^ ;; t. > .'? -r ^ \ -^ ^ - ever warmly cheiished. Should one of them ever wilfully add to her embarrassment ? Before the Institution can give promise of great pros- perity and usefulness, the debt must be paid, the property redeemed and the former endowment replaced. In the .present impoverished condition of our people, it is doubt- ful whether this should be done by taxation. As already intimated, many of these claims, especially those due the estate of the former President, and perhaps all others, are entirely just and should be met. The doors of the Uni- versity ought not to be closed for debt, nor should it be allowed to languish. At this crisis in its affairs, I venture as an alumnus, to submit the following propositions : 1. That the Alumni and friends of the University unite in an effort for its rescue. That they address the Treas- urer of the Board of Trustees, stating the amount they will contribute to pay off its legal debts. Payment to be made when there shall have been responses enough to cover the entire indebtedness. I have this day addressed such a letter to the Treasurer, offering to give one thou- sand dollars ($1000) for this purpose so aoon as the remain- der of the required sum shall be covered by contributions of from $10 to $1000, or more. 2. I propose to such professed Mends as have mani- fested so great concern for the Institution, and during the last two years have honored me by their frequent notices, that if each one of them who has borne part in the public defamation of the University, will give more reasonable and substantial evidence of sincere interest in its welfare, by the contribution of a sum equal to that offered by my- self, I will, at once, if they desire it, resign my position and they may have control of the Institution. The debt being thus paid, I would have the satisfaction of seeing my successor enter upon duty with better promise than was given me. For the present it will occasion no sur- prise if I decline to quietly surrender the University to any one of those whose friendship must be determined by their zeal in defaming it, rather than by their liberality in rescuing it from the grasp of its creditors. SOLOMON POOL. Chapel Hill, Jan. 26, 1871. Caylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, N Y. PAT. Ml. 24. I9es 04777 LJ^ UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA UBRARY