Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians
"Point," have with tar-heel obstinacy and tar-heel appropriateness changed it
into "Piney."
It will doubtless interest
you to hear a few sentences in Davie's own language, describing the laying of
this corner stone. He says: "A large number of the brethren of the Masonic Order
from Hillsboro, Chartham, Granville and Warren attended at the ceremony of
placing the corner stone; and the procession for this purpose moved from *
* NOTE.--Mr. Patterson was
the architect. His temporary dwelling was on Cameron Avenue
East.
Mr Patterson's at 12 o'clock, in the following order: the
Masonic brethren in their usual order of procession; the commissioners; the
Trustees, not commissioners; the Hon. Judge Mackay and other public officers;
then followed the gentlemen of the vicinity. On approaching the south end of the
building the Masons opened to the right and left and the commissioners, &c.,
passed through and took their places. The Masonic procession then moved on
around the foundation of the building and then halted with their usual
ceremonies, opposite the Southeast corner, where Wm. Richardson Davie, Grand
Master of the Fraternity, &c., in this State, assisted by two Masters of
Lodges and four other officers, laid the corner stone, enclosing a plate to
commemorate the transaction."
"The Rev. Dr. McCorckle then
addressed the Trustees in an excellent discourse suited to the occasion." I give
only a few sentences. He commenced by saying: "It is our duty to acknowledge
that sacred scriptual truth, "Except the Lord
build the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord watcheth the
city, the watchman walketh but in vain." He then contended that "the advancement
of learning and science is one great means of ensuring the happiness of
mankind.""Liberty and law call for
general knowledge in the people and extensive knowledge in the matters of State;
and these demand public places of education." "How can glory or wealth be procured and preserved without
liberty and laws?" "Knowledge is
wealth, it is glory, whether among philosphers,
ministers of State or Religion, or among the great mass of the people. Britons
glory in the name of a Newton and honor him with a place among the sepulchres of
their Kings. Americans glory in the name of a Franklin, and every nation boasts
of her great men, who has them. Savages cannot have, rather cannot
educate them, though many a Newton has been born and buried among
them.""Knowledge is liberty and law.
When the clouds of ignorance are dispelled by the radiance of knowledge, power
trembles, but the authority of the laws remain inviolable.""And how this knowledge, productive of so many
advantages to mankind, can be acquired without public places of education, I
know not." Dr. McCorckle concludes as follows: "The seat of the University was
sought for, and the public eye selected Chapel Hill, a lovely situation, in the
centre of the State, at a convenient distance from the capitol, in a healthy and
fertile neighborhood. May this hill be for religion, as the ancient hill of
Zion; and for literature and the muses may it surpass the ancient Parnassus. We
this day enjoy the pleasure of seeing the corner-stone of the University, its
foundation, its material and the architect for the building, and before long we
will see its stately walls and spires ascending to their summit. Ere long we
hope to see it adorned with an elegant village, adorned with all the necessaries
and conveniences of civilized society."
"The discourse," says Davie,
"was followed by a short and animated prayer, closed with the united Amen
of an immense concourse of people."
