THE HESPERIAN.
UNIVERSITY of NEBRASKA.
Vol. XV.
LINCOLN, NEB., FEBRUARY i, 1887.
No. VIII
THEHESPERIAN
(HESPERIAN STUDENT.)
'Issued semi-monthly by the Hesperian Publishing Associ
ation, of the University of Nebraska.
A. H. BIGELOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.
associates:
LAURA M. ROBERTS,'87 J. R. McCANCE, '89
CORAE. WHITE, '89 F. A. MANLEY, '8
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EDITORIAL NOTES.
Who is there who regrets the little difficulty over
the control of The Hesperian? It is as a general
thing, best to maintain peace and harmony among
students; yet, a good earnest contest, if not carried
too far rebounds to the ultimate good of all students.
Let the young active man pass his year of study in a
student community which is not agitated by any
thing save friendly class rivalry, and he comes out
possessing no particular interest in the doings and
workings of that community, no such a leeling as
that denominated as college spirit. It is true that
such contests are not the sole causes of the growth
of such a spirit but they certainly contribute their
share toward relieving the monotony.
The meeting of several of state associations in our
midst, during the last fortnight, should have been
hailed with more interest by our students, in general
than was evinced. The State Historical Society pre
sents papers which should not only be of interest to
members of the literary course which embraces so
much histor), but should interest students of all
courses as concerning the history of their own state.
Of equal importance to all, but more especially to
the members of tha Scientific and Agricultural
courses, should be the proceedings of the state Hor
ticultural and Agricultural Societies. It is certainly
the right thing for these societies to meet with us, as
the state institution which labors to advance their
cause, and we, as students should encourage their
meetings with us, by not only doing them the simple
courtesy of attending, but by doing all in our power
to make them feel that the University has an interest
in the work and that, an earnest one.
An old subject yet one which is capable of consid
erable discussion as yet, is the matter of oratorical
contests. The contest of last Saturday evening af
forded every opportunity for observation. There
were at least quite a number of the competitors who
spent the major part of last vacation upon their pro
ductions and it is certain that a large part of their
time during the week preceding the contest was con
sumed in practice. This is a fact in all such contests
and the question arises, can we as students, afford to
use so much of our time which if not necessary to class
work, should be devoted to needed recreation, in
preparing for such a contest? Even granting that
the time used is not taken from study hours, and I
venture that most of it is, can it be policy to sacrifice
our wonted amusement. As members of a society, it
is a question as to whether or no, the society would
not be benefited more if some of the energy were
spent in the regular society productions, making, the
real contest as 10 who is the best orator, in the regu
lar society work. There is no doubt that in a years
work a far more reliable decision could be reached.
On the other hand a student who is to be brought
before the public as a contestant for oratorical hon
ors is apt to be benefited greatly by the fact that he
acquires practice in close application and concen
tration, besides acquiring accurate knowledge of the
srbject in hand. There is of couse an element of en
couragement to excel in literary work, and it is pro
bable that this incentive would balance the loss of
the energy of the few contestants from the regular,
programs. But we would still maintain lhat, where
encroachments upon regular class work and upon