Clarke County GaArchives History - Books .....University Of Georgia 1923
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Book Title: History Of Athens And Clarke County

The University of Georgia
By CHANCELLOR D. C. BARROW.

   THE thought of the people of Georgia turned at an early date to provision for
education. On February —, 1784, the Legislature in laying off the counties of
"Washington and Franklin, inserted this section: "And, whereas, the
encouragement of religion and learning is an object of great importance to any
community, and must tend to the prosperity, happiness and advantage of same, Be
it enacted, etc., that the County Surveyors immediately after the passing of
this act shall proceed to lay out in each county twenty thousand acres of land
of the first quality in separate tracts of five thousand acres, each for the
endowment of a college or seminary of learning, and which said lands shall be
vested in and granted in trust to his honor the governor, for the time being,
and John Houston, James Habersham, William Few, Joseph Clay, Abraham Baldwin,
William Houston, Nathan Brownson, and their successors in office, who are hereby
nominated and appointed Trustess for the said college or seminary of learning
and empowered to do all such things as to them shall appear requisite and
necessary to forward the establishment and progress of the same; and all
vacancies shall be filled up by the said Trustees."

   During the next session of the Legislature the action which follows below was
taken, and this latter date has been called the date of the Charter of the
University.

   The manuscript of the act of 1785 is in existence, having been found by
Honorable S. G. McLendon, Secretary of State for Georgia. 

   A few words about Abraham Baldwin, the author of the Charter, seem to be in
place here. He was born in the state of Connecticut in 1754. Was graduated from
Yale in 1772. For several years he was a professor in Yale. For some time during
the Revolutionary War he served as a chaplain in the American Army. He
afterwards studied law, and in 1784 moved to Columbia County, Georgia. He made
such a favorable impression that he was elected to the Legislature in three
months after he became a citizen of Georgia. His greatest work and that which
has kept his name alive, was in connection with the founding of the University.
He afterwards served in Congress as representative and senator with distinction.
In 1807 he died in Washington after a short illness. In twenty-two years of
public service, up to his last illness, he had been absent from his seat but one
day. (See White's Statistics.)

THE CHARTER

   "An Act for the more full and complete establishment of a Public Seat of
Learning in this State, approved, Jan. 17, 1785.

   "As it is the distinguishing happiness of free governments that civil order
should be the result of choice and not necessity, and the common wishes of the
people become the law of the land, their public prosperity and even existence,
very much depends upon suitably forming the minds and morals of their citizens.
When the minds of the people in general are viciously disposed and unprincipled,
and their conduct disorderly, a free government will be attended with greater
confusions and evils more horrible than the wild, uncultivated state of nature:
it can only be happy where the public principles and opinions are properly
directed and their manners regulated. This is an influence beyond the stretch of
laws and punishments, and can only be claimed by religion and education. It
should therefore be among the first objects of those who wish well to the
national prosperity to encourage and support the principles of religion and
morality, and early to place the youth under the forming hand of society, that
by instruction, they may be moulded to the love of virtue and good order.
Sending them abroad to other communities for their education will not answer
these purposes, is too humiliating an acknowledgement of the ignorance or
inferiority of our own, and will always be the cause of so great foreign
attachments, that upon principles of policy it is inadmissible.

   "This country in the times of our Common danger and distress, found such
security in the principles and abilities which wise regulations had before
established in the minds of our countrymen, that our present happiness, joined
to the pleasing prospects, should conspire to make us feel ourselves under the
strongest obligations to form the youth, the rising hope of our land, to render
the like glorious and essential services to our country."

   The state university is an American institution. It is the outcome of
individual freedom. It is a recognition of the principle of Democracy, that the
individual must have equal opportunity. Thomas Jefferson appreciated the
advantages which would come to the American State by controlling its own
university. So much did he value his own connection with its origin that he
asked to have inscribed on his tombstone that he was "the Father of the
University of Virginia.

   It was not in Virginia, however, that the conception of a democratic
institution, a democratic state-controlled university, originated, but it was in
this youngest of the thirteen colonies. Before this State became a formal member
of the American Union—(do you realize that?)—she had, for the first time in the
world enacted that within her borders education should be provided for all her
sons.

   After some years of preparation and of provision of funds, with the Indians
still holding possession within a few miles, north and west, the University
opened its doors, and from that time on the State of Georgia has offered to all
young men within her borders the same educational advantages. The University is
one place where Democracy is triumphant.

   The charter of the University of Georgia, which was mainly written by Abram
Baldwin, is one of the greatest of the papers of that period of great papers.
The tremendous struggle for liberty brought to life and made great the thoughts
of men.

   It will forever remain a matter of felicitation for Georgia that within her
borders was found the far-sighted statesman who saw that "it should therefore be
among the first objects of those who wish well to the national prosperity to
encourage and support the principles of religion and morality, and early to
place the youth under the forming hand of society, that by instruction, they may
be moulded to the love of virtue and good order."

   Here in one sentence we have the reason for the State University, and the
gist of its mission. "Place the youth under the forming hand of society, that by
instruction, they may be moulded to the love of virtue and good order." The
individuality of a state will be largely the result of its educational
institutions. All thinking men can see this now, but the glory of our state is
that its law makers saw it at the beginning.

   You will notice one other item in this charter, that it distinctly recognizes
the religious element in education. That a state university should follow any
denominational teaching which is peculiar to that denomination would be contrary
to the idea of the universality of privilege, but that it should uphold the
general, universal doctrine of the Fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of
man, seems to me not only religiously right, but democratically essential. How
else can a democracy perpetuate its existence ? Perhaps some of you may have
heard statements based on the assumed status elsewhere, that there can be no
religious teaching in a state university. Such statements are made in ignorance
of our law and, as I think, in ignorance of the fundamental requirements of a
democracy.

   Abraham Baldwin, the author of the Charter, was the first President. His term
of office extended from 1785 to 1801. During this period the University had no
home, no Faculty, no students, it had only a board of trustees and a grant of
land. There were very few white people in the state.

   In 1801, sixteen years after the University was Chartered, the trustees
decided that it was time to select a site. The location was restricted because
of the limited extent of the white occupation. The site decided upon was on the
bank of the  Oconee River, at a place called Cedar .Shoals. Mr. John Milledge
bought from Mr. Daniel Easley 633 acres of land and gave the tract to the
Trustees. The name given to this land was Athens. The forest to the west
extended to the French settlements on the Mississippi River.

   Mr. Abraham Baldwin resigned the office of President and Mr. Josiah Meigs was
elected to that office in 1801.

   It would make this sketch too long to make even a short note of all the
distinguished and patriotic men who were connected with the founding of the
University; but this gift of John Milledge calls for a brief statement
concerning him.

   John Milledge was born in Savannah in 1757. He was a brave soldier during the
Revolutionary War. He served in both Houses of Congress and as Governor. The
following extract of a letter to Mr. Milledge, written by President Meigs May
llth, 1808, which is found in White's Historical Records, is of interest: "Your
institution has taken strong root, and will flourish; and I feel some degree of
pride in reflecting that a century hence, when this nascent village shall
embosom a thousand Georgian youths, pursuing paths of science, it will now and
then be said that you gave this land, and I was on the forlorn hope." Governor
Milledge died at his home on the Sand Hills near Augusta, Feb. 9th, 1818.

   "When President Meigs took charge of the University of Georgia, 1801, its
academic history began. Its plant was 633 acres of very attractive woodland.
President Meigs, however, was a man of courage and persistence. He proceeded to
erect temporary houses, and began the construction of Old College. Mr. James
Gunn, of Louisville, gave one thousand dollars to aid in the construction of
these buildings. In the historical sketch of the University by Mr. A. L. Hull,
we find the following: In November, 1803, President Meigs reported to the
Trustees that "three dwelling houses, three stores and a number of other
valuable houses have been erected on Front street. The students, citizens and
inhabitants of Athens have been remarkably healthy during the year, and the
spring has not failed as to the quantity of water but rather increased. The
number of students has been between thirty and thirty-five. Twelve young
gentlemen compose the Senior class." In 1808, Hope Hull offered that if the
board would give one hundred dollars for a belfry he would cause to be erected a
chapel 40 by 60 and 18 feet high. The offer was accepted and several trustees at
once contributed to the chapel fund. Thomas Fourney gave $32, General Twiggs
$50, and Peter Randolph $200. The chapel was built on the spot where, the
present chapel stands and served its purpose for twelve years." (Hull's
Historical sketch.) Unfortunately differences arose between President Meigs and
the Board of Trustees, which led to his withdrawal from the University. His
administration, however, resulted in giving a start to the University. He seems
to have possessed many fine qualities; but it does not seem that he had the gift
of silent endurance. The evidence seems to show that he was rather free, not to
say intemperate, in his speech, and this was probably the cause of his retirement.

   In 1811, Rev. John Brown, of Columbia, South Carolina, was elected President
and served until 1816. His administration was not successful. The number of
students declined, interest in the University waned and the University was
discontinued in 1813. This closing was due probably to the war with England; but
at best the situation was almost hopeless. President Brown resigned, as did
Professor Green in 1816, and Mr. Goulding was left in charge of the University
grounds and buildings. President Brown was a most excellent and lovable man.

   Let us interrupt the narrative of academic succession with a matter of
business. In 1815 the Legislature authorized the Governor to advance to the
Trustees two-thirds of the face value of the notes which they held as proceeds
of the land granted in 1784. These notes amounted to $150,000.00 (Hull's
Sketch.) The Governor, David B. Mitchell, did not pay the money; but subscribed
for one thousand shares of the Bank of the State of Georgia, and had this stock
transferred to the Trustees of the University. The income from this stock was
guaranteed to amount to $8,000. This action was important as it showed public
interest at this time of great discouragement. The $8,000 is now paid and is in
the Constitution.

   Dr. Robert Finley, of New Jersey, was elected President some time after the
resignation of President Brown and took charge in May, 1817. His was a brief
term. He presided at the Commencement exercises in June, and during the summer
made a tour of the state in an effort to arouse interest in the University. Upon
his return to Athens in September he was prostrated by fever and died on October
3rd.

   There was an interval between the death of Dr. Finley and the next election.
Rev. Nathan S. S. Beman was elected and accepted, but later declined on account
of the fact that his wife was an invalid.

   Dr. Moses Waddell, who was conducting a very successful school for boys at
Wellington, S. C., was then elected and, in 1819, assumed the duties of
President. Dr. Waddell secured a good faculty and the University prospered under
his administration. The Alumni catalogue states: "During the years
1817-1817-1819 no students were graduated." This was the status when he was
elected. Three were elected in each of the years 1820 and 1821. In 1823 the
number of graduates was twenty. This seems to have been about the number
desiring to graduate; for it was as often below as above this number for many
years. President Waddell resigned in 1829. There was great regret at his
resignation. His son, and afterwards his grandson were for many years professors
in the University.

   Mr. Alonzo Church, a native of Vermont, was called to the Chair of
Mathematics when Dr. Waddell was made President. Mr. Church had been teaching at
Eatonton, and had married a Miss Trippe of that place. Upon the resignation of
President Waddell, Professor Church was made President, and served for thirty
years, making a continuous service on the Faculty of forty years. The periods of
service of Presidents Waddell and Church were not years of growth in numbers. In
all this time the number of graduates rarely exceeded thirty. It must be
admitted that the proportion of those who rendered distinguished service to the
state and United States was very large. In the per cent of excellence, as shown
by the record, of public service, these years will probably remain the golden
era of the University. It was my purpose to select certain classes to illustrate
this, but in looking over the catalogue of Alumni it seemed that even this would
show a partial bias. The most striking fact, to me, is the almost universal
service in time of war. And how many from the latter part of the period were
killed in battle. President Church resigned Jan. 1st, 1859. His thirty years of
service as President was a period of growth and prosperity in Georgia. The
Indians had all been removed and the state had grown steadily richer and more
prosperous. For the University it was rather a period of sustained thoroughness
than of expansion and growth in numbers. Of the various members of the Faculty
who retired on account of holding different views as to the conduct of the
University from those of the President, there was one, Chas. F. McCay, who
remembered the University to the end of his life. In 1879 he deeded certain
bonds to the University with the provision that the fund should accumulate many
years before it became available. The income from this fund is then to be used
in paying salaries of teachers and lecturers. The fund, originally seven
thousand dollars, is now $92,039.19. It has gained $40,000.00 in the last eleven
years, and it will continue to increase for about fifty years before it comes
into use. Dr. Church was the last of the Presidents.

   Dr. Andrew A. Lipscomb, who was elected in 1859, was designated Chancellor
and the expansion of the University began. The plan of expansion as given in Mr.
Hull's Historical Sketch is as follows:

   "1. To establish an institute combining all the instruction given in a
well-regulated village academy and in the Freshman and Sophomore Classes in
College, and having sufficient capacity to board all its pupils from a distance.

   2. To establish a College proper with only Junior and Senior Classes under
five professors.

   3. To establish University schools, independent of the College and of each
other, viz.: a law school, a school of agriculture, of medicine, of civil
engineering and a commercial school.

   4. The establishment of scholarships by donations, or devises.

   5. The conferring of honors and degrees.

   6. All departments to be under a Chancellor, who shall be the head
of the institution.

   The law school was at once established under the supervision of Joseph H.
Lumpkin, Thomas R. R. Cobb and William Hope Hull, and steps taken which
ultimately resulted in the existing connection between the Medical College in
Augusta and the University.

   This scheme was reported to the Senatus Academicus, at what proved to be
their last meeting in November, 1859, and was adopted by that body." The Senatus
Academicus was abolished in December, 1859, by act of the Legislature.

   It is of interest to note that Judge J. H. Lumpkin had been elected professor
of law in 1842 but his duties as judge prevented him from discharging his
professorial duties with regularity.

   At this time, 1859, the remaining lots in Cobbham were sold and the proceeds
together with notes and bonds on hand, amounting in all to $33,000.00 were used
in a building program. The north end of present Academic Building; the Mess
Hall, i. e., the brick house facing Lumpkin street; and the University High
School, later known as "Rock College," and the Campus of the State Normal School
were built from this fund. It is seen from what has gone before that the life of
the University may be divided into three periods: the paper or Charter period
from 1785 to 1801; the College period from 1801 to 1859; the period of
expansion, from 1859—on. This later period has, in more recent years, been
marked by the establishing of a number of institutions scattered over the state.

   Chancellor Lipscomb's term of office from 1860 to 1874 was full of changes
and difficulties. The University had a checkered history during his
administration. The years 1860 and 1861 were most prosperous. The academic
College and the newly opened law school were largely attended. There were
twenty-four graduates from the law school in 1860. Five of these were killed in
battle during the next four years. Then came the War between the States and the
attendance dwindled down to next to nothing at once. Of those listed under 1862
pretty much all of them were in the army in 1861. The Alumni catalogue contains
this statement: "The exercises of the College were discontinued from October,
1862, till January, 1866. Students whose names appear as matriculates in the
classes of 1864 and 1865, entered College in 1860 and 1861." When the University
opened in 1866 a school of civil engineering was established and Gen. Martin L.
Smith was elected professor but died before the session opened. During the year
Capt. L. H. Charbonnier was elected to fill the vacancy and took charge at the
opening of the next session. As illustrating the stormy times, the following
incident is given. At the Commencement of 1867, Albert H. Cox, a student, made a
fiery political speech. The Military Governor of Georgia thereupon withheld the
state's appropriation from the University. After various conferences in Atlanta
and in Washington the appropriation was restored upon formal application by the
Board of Trustees of the University. In March, 1872, Governor James M. Smith
sold the land which had been granted to Georgia by Congress in 1862, for the
purpose of establishing an Agricultural and Mechanical College. He made a
contract with the Trustees of the University whereby they agreed to establish
this College, and he issued an executive order turning the proceeds of the sale
of lands over to them on May 1st. As the grant by Congress would have expired on
July 2nd, it will be seen that prompt action was necessary. Professor W. L.
Brown was chosen President of the A. and M. College and he made an able and
energetic executive. The erection of Moore College was one result of the
establishment of the A. and M. College at the University. The citizens of Athens
voted a bond issue of twenty-five thousand dollars for this purpose, which was a
new departure in municipal affairs for Athens. The University prospered under
the administration of Chancellor Lipscomb, the number of students increased and
an excellent faculty maintained a high standard of instruction. Dr. Lipscomb was
an able and popular executive, but the stress of his duties weighed heavily on
him. As the result of the strain on his health he retired at the close of the
session in 1874. His long term of service, cut in two by war, followed by an
economic condition which cannot be understood by the present generation, must be
adjudged as remarkably successful.

   Dr. Henry H. Tucker was elected to succeed Dr. Lipscomb. His period of
service was four years. Chancellor Tucker was a man of fine intelligence,
vigorous action, fixed opinions. It would seem that he was not able to make
adjustment by compromise nor seek co-operation in carrying out his plans. The
attendance steadily decreased and was finally reduced to 116 students.

   Upon the resignation of Chancellor Tucker, Professor P. H. Mell was elected
Chancellor. The promotion of a member of the Faculty to the office of chief
executive is a doubtful policy. It has its own difficulties. In this case the
result was all that could be hoped for and more than should have been expected.
Dr. Mell was wise, so wise, indeed, that it made his great ability in other
qualities seem less by comparison. He did much to establish confidence in the
University on the part of the citizens of the state. His administration was
strong and successful. It was a privilege to be under Dr. Mell and one could
hardly escape being benefitted by the association. During his administration the
Chas. F. McCay Fund, mentioned above, and the Charles McDonald Brown Loan Fund
were given to the University. These gifts were practical expressions of
confidence which helped to build public opinion. Dr. Mell died while Chancellor
in January, 1888.

   Dr. Wm. E. Boggs was elected to succeed Chancellor Mell. His term of service
lasted until 1898. He was a man of marked ability, full of energy and optimistic
in his undertakings. The University kept up its standards of scholarship and
raised its entrance requirements during the administration of Chancellor Boggs.
Many of the graduates have been men who have given distinguished service to the
state. A number of new members were brought into the Faculty by him and they now
constitute the maturer element in the Faculty, giving admirable service. He did
not have the united support of his Faculty during the latter part of his
administration and this ultimately led to his retirement.

   In selecting a successor to Chancellor Boggs the Trustees elected Mr. Walter
B. Hill, a layman and a lawyer. This was a departure from precedent in selecting
Chancellors. This selection was not a mistake, on the contrary it was a most
fortunate choice. Perhaps no other man could nave done so much for the
University as Chancellor Hill did. The more than seventeen years since his death
have been spent in carrying out the plans which he made and began. It may be
said, with truth, that in a larger way than one would think he has been
Chancellor for twenty-five years. In 1905 Chancellor Hill had introduced a bill
in the Legislature the purpose of which was to make special the work in
agriculture and to enlarge that work. After his death, which occurred during
Christmas week, 1905, in the summer of 1906, this bill was passed -and passed
without a change. This movement has resulted in the College of Agriculture. He
had previously started the co-ordination with the high schools of the state
which has continued with such remarkable success. These two are given as
examples of his great service. Through his plans the service of the University
to the state has been greatly enlarged.

   In June, 1906, David C. Barrow, who had been acting as Chancellor since the
death of Chancellor Hill was elected Chancellor. During his term of office there
has been a steady growth in the attendance which reached 1,600 during the year
1922-23. The administration has been marked by the co-operative efforts of the
Faculty, and the credit of its continuance for the unusual period is due to this
co-operation of the Faculty.


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