Manly, Charles, 1795-1871
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Raleigh
Feby. 26/56
My Dear Gov.,
The Ex. Com. today adopted the following Resolutions.
"The Ex. Com. taking into consideration a
communication from the Pres. of the University transmitting a copy of
the proceedings of the Faculty relative to the action of the Senior Class in the
election of a Chaplain to deliver the Valedictory Sermon at the next
Commencement. Resolved that while they earnestly deprecate any thing like
religious intolerance as in conflict alike with the principles of the
Constitution & their own views, there are other important considerations
the force & bearing of which upon the question at this time the Executive Committee could better understand
& more justly appreciate than the Senior Class. The Committee is therefore of the opinion that the Pres. under the
circumstances in advising the class to consult the Committee acted judiciously & properly.
The
Committee are further of
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opinion that as the invitation to deliver the sermon has already been
transmitted it is not expedient to take any further action in the
premises."
I apprehend the whole affair will blow over without
further embarrassment. If I were in your place, I would let the matter drop,
& not give it any factitious importance by communicating this decision
to the class.
In regard to the future, there is, I think, but one sentiment in the Committee
& that is that henceforth no appointment of Chaplain, Marshals, nor Ball
Managers shall be valid without the assent of the Board of Trustees or the
Ex. Com. in writing. As the present mode of appointment has
been declared or approved by the
Board of
Trustees
the Committee decline disturbing it. The annual meeting in June will be a
fit occasion to move in it.
In regard to Building Improvements the
Committee have resolved
to
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engage the services of
Col. Gwyn. His accomplishments as a draughtsman
& general knowledge of labor & materials & skill in
making contracts qualify him preeminently for the business. He left home this
morning for
Richmond.
Gov.
Bragg
& myself are a Sub Com. to see him on his return.
I have, this moment, since writing the foregoing, recd. your letter of yesterday
from P. Office.
I am truly glad that the bone is buried by the Bishop's declension.
The
Special Board of Visitors is required to be
selected out of the
regular class. I give you their
names. Make your own selection & let me know. The Com. will doubtless
ratify your nomination. For mercy's sake leave out the
Secretary.
Nash &
Ruffin
do not
belong to the class but a swap may be allowable. So as to
Barringer
,
W. J. Alexander,
W. H. Battle
,
J. W. Bryan,
D. W. Courts,
J. W. Cunningham,
J. R. Donnell,
W. A. Graham
,
C. B. Hassell,
S. P. Hill,
J. C.
Johnston,
C. Jones Jr.,
M. E.
Manly
,
G. Mebane.
G. C.
Mendenhall,
J. M. Morehead
,
H.
Potter,
W. L. Steele,
H. Waddell,
J. Worth.