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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1891)
THE HESPERIAN literary societies displayed impropriety in deserting this paper and assisting a "frat" enterprise. If the "frats" are not strong enough to edit and support a paper, then let them acknowledge such and subside. We do not believe that it is proper for the "barbs" to help them out of hot water if they were foolish enough to get into it. A paper that is afraid to advocate what it believes had better change its policy or "give up the ghost". Are the "frats", however, to be censured forseek ing talent without their ranb? If they have not the talent within tl eir crowd to publish a paper, they must seek talent elsewhere and give up the idea of having a "frat" paper, or let the paper die. They, seemingly, have chosen the former course. In doing so we do not believe that they are to be criticised as much as are those who volunteered to help them out of difficulties. Since the Lasso is issued monthly, and two-thirds its editorial staff are members of societies which are backing this paper, we, .strictly speaking, ques tion the demand for the paper: If the paper was issued weekly, then the question would be very different. We, especially, question jthe propriety of the action of those persons who are aiding the "frats.'1 If they 'were dissatisfied with the management of this paper, why did they not let the fact be known, in order that a change might be made, and their desires satisfied. In short, if they are "ba;bs," why don't they support and advocate barbarian principles instead of a would-be-fraternity paper. The time has come for drawing barb-frat lines more closely in the university. The following communication will be of interest to students, and especially those interested in oratory In view of the approaching oratorical contest, the questions discussed in the letter are especially pertinent, and they are treated in a vigorous manner. Let every one interested in oratory, and especially the members of the oratorical association, give this letter their thoughtful consideration. Within the the last three years the university has taken part in three slate oratorical contests. In the first contest our man was worsted. In the second our representative was beaten. In the third our man was left in the lurch by a Methodist who later took last place in the interstate contest. True there were mitigating circumstances. There always arc to the defeated. The oratorical record of the university has been a bad one. Let us face it. It is less than two months till our local contest is held, yet before December n our local association showed not a sign of life. That day it met. Hut it was pitiable to sec half a quorum sit helplessly and look each other in the face. It is quite well established that two orators will appear on the "local". It is within the realm of possibility that more may enter the contest. Two contestants out of seven hundred stud ents! These figures represent the ratio of our interest in ora torical matters to what it should be if we, would win a state contest and redeem ourselves from the misfortunes of the past. I believe the university should withdraw from the State Oratorical Association. Tht causes of the apathy noted above are deep-seated. We go into a state contest handicapped. The standard of oratorical excellence in the university is dif ferent from what it is in any of the denominational schools. The standard of the denominational schools is the standard of the state and of the interstate associations. The students believe the standard of the university to be the right one. What then is to be done? Two courses arc open to the orator ambitious of winning state honors. One is to approx imate as nearly as he may to the ideal held up before him in the university, go to the state contest, and butt his head against a stone wall. The other course open to him is to write up (or down) to the standard of the denominational schools. The first policy insures defeat, the other causes the orator to go against his better judgment. These arc the two horns of the dilcmna. Hut this fact alone is not suflicicnt to account for the stud ents' lack of interest in oratorical matters. The university oilers facilities for work in lines unheard of in the other edu cational institutions of the state. The result is the energy which, if found in a denominational school, would be expended along oratorical lines, is exerted along varied lines of special investigation. This state of affairs is not to be regretted. It is what is giving our university its high stand ing among universities- Our professors have little or no sym pathy with our representative in the state contest. Our pro fessor of oratory even goes so far as to insist (I believe rightly) that oratorical contests arc a detriment to the contestants. In denominational schools on the other hand, the local orator is aided in every way, encouraged by the professors and patted on the back by his fellow students. In view of the above considerations, but one course, I believe, is open to us. Let us withdraw from the state asso ciation. The general sentiment of the students appears to be, let us withdraw only after we have won a contest. If it is settled that we should withdraw, why wait till then? Will it be any more to our credit to withdraw after we have won a coiuest than to withdraw now? I think not. On the other hand, I believe it to be more manly for us to withdraw to-day than to leave just at the time we have won a state contest. I fail to sec the glory we shall gain by cutting the acquaintance of the sister colleges of the association at the indefinitely remote time when victory shall perch on our banners. Back ing out of the association will be an embarrassing task at the best. Every day that we remain in the association makes the task more severe. Granted that to withdraw now will dis credit us in the opinion of the other colleges. Is not out institution capable of going on its way rejoicing, even if wc have not the admiration of envious pretended rivals? The University of Nebraska has followed a temporizing too long. It should do one of two things:Either withdraw from the state association at the earliest opportunity, or rouse up enough interest in oratory to back its representative in the state contest with something more effectual than the blatant notes of the Uni. yell. T. F. A. Williams. "If we can't have the use of the bars, horse, pulling machine, ladder and rings during practice time in the gymna sium we better quit" said a member of the gymnasium get ting ready to go to the half-hour practice, He took off his collar, threw it down, and continued: "This thing of mak ing us stout, healthy fellows swinging dumb-bells day after day is all nonsense. I'd quit the gym. right now but for the exercise I get in running," and he was off for the gymnasium. '""''
