The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899, April 11, 1896, Page 2, Image 2
THE HESPERIAN The Hesperian boliovcs in freedom, in tho utmost tolornnco and broadest liberality of action on the part of tho university and its authorities. So believing, it would heartily favor the granting of Momorial Hall to tho students for dancing purposes. To such action thoro could bo, in tho minds of all fair-minded and intelligent persons, no possiblo objection. It is a course that has been pursued in all tho largor denomina tional universities and has novor yet caBt tho slightest reflection on either tho morals or religion of such institutions. Viewed from a standpoint of strict right and wrong there can bo no two sides to tho question. But every student in this school is, wo beliovo, the ardont friend and well wisher of tho University of Nobraska. Thoro is not one who would wish, by his or her actions, to imperil its hold on the good will of tho people of Nebraska, nor its further growth as a great institution of learning. And thoro is not a student but knows that thoro exists a very great, unfair, unfounded and unreasoning prejudice, if not hatred, against tho University on tho part of many esti mable citizens of this state, mostly membors of church denominations. They have long been inclined to doubt not only the religion, but even the morals of our school. On such grounds they have earnestly fought university appropriations in every session of tho legislature. Now, the question is one of expediency. Dancing in Momorial Hall would give these people tho weapon they so long have sought. Tho partisans of Wesloyan University would ask for nothing bettor. Tho outcry that would ensue would bo narrow, bigoted, intolerant; wo grant it, but it would hurt our university. It would keop studonts from us. It would injuro our chances for an appropriation. Of this thoro can bo no doubt. TnE Hesperian boliovos that our patriotic studonts would rather withdraw a perfectly just and legitimate request than in any way to imperil tho well-being of tho school. Especially would it bo fitting, us wo have it on tho very best of authority that thoir request can by no possibility bo grant ed, for tho reasons above stated. Our stu dents are wise, fair-mindod and able to soo a point whenever made. The Hesperian does not doubt that thoy will see this one and act accordingly. The Kansas-Nebraska debate will be held at tho Lansing theatre in just about three weeks from tho appearance of this Hesperian. Tho question to bo debated is as follows: "Resolved, that tho Initiative and Rofron dum should bo introduced into our form of government, after the manner of tho laws of Switzerland." Work on tho debate, both at homo and in Kansas, has boon in progress for somo time past, and thoro is no question but that every nerve will bo strained on both sides to win tho victory. "Tho dobate will bo decided by three judges to bo choson by tho chancellors of tho universities inter ested. Tho three Nebraska debaters have an added incentive to thorough preparation in tho two prizes offered by Messrs. Man dorson and Estabrook, of twonty and ton dollars respectively, to bo awarded to the first and second best dobators on tho Nebraska side. That tho dobato will bo a success, and that from a Nobraska standpoint, thoro can bo no question. The rcdoubtablo and un conquerable Ajax Apollo Weaver heads our list of talking machines, and this fact in itself assures a glorious and overwhelming victory. All schools havo orators and de baters and doclarors innumerable Nobras ka oven more than innumerable for our class meetings, club mootings, conventions, otc. havo long since demonstrated that every single individual student in school from E. 0. Amos down to Prof. Clarke's justly celebrated Hygiene class, is a well qualified and able orator-dobator. But oven Nebras ka has but one Ajax. And Ajax, Ajax with his unansworablo logic, his heated ges tures, his firo flashing oyo, his firmamont splitting voice, his godly indignation and