24:
THE HESPERIAN
Even from this distanco it is hard to say
that the barbarians wcro victorious. Tho
fraternities were not defeated, later some of
these same barbarian zealots joined fraterni
ties, and three at least of tho most promi
nent leaders married fraternity girls. Perhaps
tho most romaitkablo phase of tho entire war
was tho good fellowship that prevailed
between tho loaders of each faction. So
far as they were lighting for principle, each
recognized the fact and respected it in tho
other. Even where personal jealousy
appeared, it was forgiven, and what ill feel
ing had been engendered between friends
died out before the end of the year.
Though they could not agree with tho barbs
when it was claimed that tho end justified
the means, the fraternities always admired
the daring of tho enemy and appreciated
the consummate skill with which their
plans were executed.
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'ts-M.n
THE BARBARIAN REVOLT.
A review of tho events connected with
the adoption of the "fraternity amend
ments" in the literary societies of the
university in the fall of 1894. does not
necessarily include a discussion of general
fraternity ethics, and none will bo at
tempted here except as it is necessity to ex
plain the motives of those who took part in
that social upheaval. It would be a source
of great pleasure to several of the survivors
of that memorable struggle to write roaring
encyclical letters on the evils of tho system
and the fortunate escape of tho University
of Nebraska from its most dangerous
features, but Ibis, quarter centennial cele
bration is no time for heated argument over
old college problems. It is no time for
war, especially among tho graduates. "Wo
all want to gather in peace and harmony and
sing the old songs, rehearse tho old stories,
recall tho old jokes, and so far as wo can
live over our jolly lives hero on the campus
boforo the scientific departments became ag
ressive, and boforo tho spirit of progress de
stroyed tho old school and put in its place a
rushing, pushing, modern university.
Tho institution was in its second decade
before the Greek letter societies made their
appearance. They were not received in a
hostile spirit. On the contrary their
coming was regarded as a welcome evidence
that the university was growing and was at
last securing recognition from student
organizations in colleges outside the state.
We were so small and so poor twelve years
ago, with our one building and our meagre
attendance, mainly in tho preparatory
department, that we would no doubt have
been glad to get, the scarlet fover, or the
measles, or anything else, providing it
came to us from a bigger college duly en
dorsed as a thing that every progressive
student ought to have.
The first fraternity was organized by a
lot of tho best fellows in the university.
Nearly all were members of the Palladian
society. There was a lively fight for
supremacy in those days between the Palla
dians and the Unions and every man was
needed. After awhile it was charged that
some of the fraternity boys had lost a good
deal of their old time ardor. They skipped
meetings with discouraging frequency, and
as this had not been noticed before the
secret society was naturally enough held
responsible. The Palladians who were
here in 1882-3 remember that on account of
the graduation of their leading members
they had a very lively time keeping even
with their friends, tho enemy, at tho other
end of the building. Some of the hardest
and most conscientious fighting the univer
sity has ever known was done in that year,
and it not only brought tho Palladian
society to tho front again, but it fused that
little band of fighters into a compact body
of defenders of tho literary society as
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