Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 12

(Letter to Bishop Elliott from Bishop Polk August 20, '56) -7-

generally, you will see from the notices taken of it by the New Orleans Secular press. These papers, copies of whose issues I have caused to be sent you, represent all opinions in politics and religion. They are the exponents of public sentiment, and to a man take favorable notice of the movement commanding it and sanctioning it as meeting a necessity. This they have done of their own free will and accord, and have thus stamped upon it the approbation of the southern public and to a certain extent guaranteed for it southern continuance and substantial aid. So far at least as the region which they represent is concerned. I hear on all sides of outsiders who are willing to aid in its establishment, on{underlined} sec{underlined}tional{underlined} account{underlined} alone{underlined}. They have confidence in the integrity, capacity and social power and influence of the Church. If we will say we will take the labouring oar they will accept the service and be pleased to use us for their purposes and those of the region. There ought to be enough of a love of learning and religion in the Church itself to found and endow the institution we would establish, amply. I think there is a large amount at our disposal, enough perhaps for our purposes. If not, we have happily another influence at our disposal which I do not doubt will supply the lack of service of both the others. The{underlined} negro{underlined} question{underlined} will{underlined} do{underlined} the{underlined} work.{underlined}. It is an agency of tremendous power, and in our circumstances needs to be delicately managed. But it is in hand and in great force to be used by somebody. It will be used. It{underlined} in-{underlined} sists{underlined} upon{underlined} being{underlined} used.{underlined} It insists upon being allowed to throw its strength into a development of its power to take care of the education of southern youth. If we - Churchmen - do not let it have its own way and operate through us, it will cast us aside and avail of the agency of others. And there are those who will

(Letter to Bishop Elliott from Bishop Polk August 20, '56) -8-

take best to its claims to be heard and to act. But the truth is, the world knows it, none can serve it in this thing so well as we. To unite the church in these I0 states is to unite the people of the I0 states. A vast and rare advantage is found in the fact that the dioceses in the states are the same. This is true of none others of the religious organizations. I cannot doubt therefore if we will go together in solid columns, we may carry all our points to the{underlined} satisfaction{underlined} of{underlined} all{underlined} fair{underlined} and{underlined} reason{underlined}able{underlined} expectation,{underlined} for the church as well as the State. But besides have we no Abbots or Lawrences or G ? Why not find men and women who for the church and country's sake will found Professorships and Scholarships and Fellowships, and Libraries and Chapels? None in all these I0 plantation states? You must have the opportunity offered in order to know. ------So much for this matter, which I confess appears one of leading consequence to my mind as a southern man and a churchman, for the present. Having a little leisure I have allowed my pen to say quite as much as I fear you will find time to read. For the rest I shall be glad to discuss it when we meet in Pha. If better things and a better way can be shown by which we can carry out the wishes and meet the necessities with which we are all oppressed I shall be glad to fall in with them, and bear my share of the work of making them ours. And I trust we may be preserved from error, and guided to wise and safe conclusions. I have letters from Atkinson, David, Rutledge and Otey, all of whom express gratification at the prospect of a plan of union and bid the movement God speed. Green and Fluman

(Letter to Bishop Elliott from Bishop Polk August 20, '56) - 9 -

I take it are away from home. But from them both I have had verbally their assent to the movement and desire for cooperation. Several of {penciled in: Coots? Coops?} clergy assure me of his cooperation. I sent the printed letter to all the clergy in the I0 states, and to all the leading laity whom I knew of through Journals, &c. as I could hear. From many of them in all the states both clerical and lay, I have had letters expressing {illegible: ...rongly?} appreciation of the proposal with offers of personal influence, and money, &c. I have withheld it purposely from the Church press - all of which is northern - until I had placed it in the hands of those for whom it was intended. I have since forwarded it to them within the last few days.

I am glad to hear Mrs. Elliott is to be with you in Pha. Mrs. Polk, who has not been well, goes with me day after day tomorrow to the Va. Springs where we remain until the meeting of convention and will then accompany me to Pha. So that I am happy to know our wives and children will be made known to each other.

With kind regards to Mrs. E.

I remain as ever

Aff. yours

Leonidas Polk