A
PLAN:
THE DIALECTIC SOCETY AT CHAPEL HILL
Less than four months after
the first student enrolled at the University of North Carolina, a group of 31
students gathered in East Building on June 3, 1795 and organized “The Debating
Society” later to be known as the Dialectic Society. Thus began in Chapel Hill
an emphasis on student self-government which has been of great benefit over the
years to thousands of students—one of whom became President of the United
states, and others Senators, Congressmen, Governors, judges, ministers,
teachers, and leaders in business and industry.
James Mebane headed that
first student organization at Chapel Hill. The Dialectic Society’s career of
service on campus forms a bright chapter in University history. It helped build
a great library and establish various student publications; it helped develop
the foundations for a student government today widely known for its
effectiveness. At times, the pains of growth, wars, depressions made things
look dark for the Society. But its membership—renewed each year with incoming
strength—always has met pressing needs of the times and has continued in the
faith that its noble heritage demands devotion to duty and preparation for
future leadership.
Students returning to campus
following Word War II observed that the Dialectic Literary Society had not
escaped the consequences of war. First, the students members began to work at
strengthening their personnel and their procedures. Later, they decided to
improve their property, centering around the society hall that had been
outmoded and worn before the emergency period, and which was particularly
unfitted for increased opportunities of service.
With the interest and
assistance of the University, the Society’s Hall was painted for the first time
in 23 years. The walls and woodwork now present a pleasing combination of
colors. The rostrum furniture was refinished, lovely dark-blue draperies were
installed, floors were sanded and waxed, the portrait collection was extended
and rearranged under competent direction, a conference room was established,
the office was refurnished with needed equipment, and the entire interior
arrangements of the Society Hall were improved.
The Dialectic Society Hall
was once a campus showplace known for its dignity and beauty. Now, after
several years of making plans, the active members of the Society hope that the
hall will again be a place in keeping with its traditions. It is the
long-studied plan of the present Dialectic Society, now called on the campus
the Dialectic Senate, to equip the hall with fifty individual desks and chairs
and to place a fine carpet on the floor. The desks and chairs will be fine
pieces of furniture, patterned along lines of the desks and chairs in the
Senate chamber of the State Capitol at Raleigh. They would be memorial tributes
to Dialectic Society members who have gone from the hall to make their marks in
the world. It is the plan to name each desk for some alumnus of the Society
whose service to the university and to his time is well known. The Society Hall
thus would become a living tribute, and the great records of its members would
live again I names and memories for present-day members and for the many
visitors to the hall.
Our Dialectic Society, the
oldest literary society in the South, is not just a debating society. It is a
vital part of University life. It stands as a monument to the wealth of service
provided by the University. As such, the Society hall calls for physical beauty
and dignity at a level commensurate with its history and tradition.
Years ago membership in one
of the two literary societies was compulsory. Today, membership in the
dialectic Society is voluntary and is limited to fifty. Students qualify for
membership on the basis of individual interest and application of talents. In
its work the Society constantly remains aware of its democratic traditions and
its opportunity for enriching influence in the life of the campus.
In keeping with the early
spirit of doing something themselves before going to others, the members have
set for themselves the goal of raising $1,000 from student members. The total
estimated cost of getting the fifty desks and chairs and the carpet for the
hall is $5,000.
It is hoped that the alumni
and friends of the Dialectic Society will join with student members in making
contributions to the restoration and renovation program. Contributions may be
made directly to the University of North Carolina, addressed to Claude E.
Teague, Assistant Controller, and earmarked for the Dialectic Society Plan. As
such, contributions are deductible for income tax purposes.
The plans suggested in this
folder have been studied and developed through lengthy discussions of Society
members together with Acting President W. D. Carmichael, Chancellor R.B. House
and other members of the University Administration., and with various
faculty-alumni members of the Society, including Isaac Greer ’10, Claude E.
Teague ’12, Ernest L. Mackie ’17, Edwin S. Lanier ’25, Roy Armstrong ’26, James
A. Williams ’27, J. Maryon Saunders ’25, and others. The interest of other
alumni and friends is hopefully solicited in these plans.