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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1874)
I III i THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. I It i r .fc n IV It'.' :' i m i" i iii It! .iSl ii M HESPERIAN STUDENT, rUDMSIIKD MONTHLY IY THIS HESPERIAN STUDENT PUBLISH ING ASSOCIATION OK TI1K NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY. EUITOIMN-CHIEH, - G. E. HoWAltD. ASSOCIATE, FA JIN IK MliTCAhF. Local, - - - W. C. Showaiteu. J. M. InwiN, Business Manager. TERMS FOK SUBSCRIPTION. 1 copy per college year - - $0.7. 1 " six months .... O.fiO, Single copy 0.10, TERMS OF ADVERTISING. 1 column one insertion - - 4.00. 3 squares " " 1.00. 1 " " " .:J5. AJl articles for publication should be addressed Editor Hem'ekian Student, State University, Lincoln Nebraska. All subscriptions, with tho address, should be sent to the Business Manager. Subscriptions collected Invariably In advance. Advertisements collected monthly. CLASS BIOGRAPHY. THE TllIAD OK 1874. On "Wednesday, June 24tli, the second class graduated from the Nebraska State University. This class, consisting of three members, was the Jlrst graduated in the regular Scientific course. ' This event was a matter of great mo ment to all lovers of our noble Institu tion of learning. The hour when these young men departed from hei fostering yare, was one of deep interest and earnest Boliciludc, as well as pride, to their alma mater in her young maternity. An hour of joy and pride, because her progeny, re joicing in tho full vigor, elasticity, lofty aspiration, and hope of intelligent, cul tured young manhood, were now about to enter the broad arena of life's contest, with the peculiar devices she had taught emblazoned upon their shields, as her rep. rescntatives, to labor and achieve in her name. Like as a fond mother watches with troubled eye the departure of the beloved son of whom she is most proud her hearts dearest ideal to assume his proper sta tion among men, so this hour also, in some respects, was one of solicitude and anxiety. These young men would go forth empowered to nlllx the seal of their University to their every acf. in the field of letters. The cause of their brilliant achievements and their blunders, of their successes and failures, their futuro glori ous fame or abhorred obloquy, would be traced by many, justly or unjustly, to the source of their intellectual culture the teachings of tho maternal halls. After leaving the protecting shade of those walls, would they sink and quail beneath the fierce glare of the unshelter ed meridian sun? "Would they succumb to the noon-day heat of active life, though exposed to the blighting sirocco of unjust reproach, envenomed slander, and malic 1ous pci s?cution? Or would they stand firm in every scorching blast, true to the precepts of virtue justice and right, to uphold, tho standard of universalprognjss in,roliglon,:lotters, science, and upl jtios, against Combined legions of fanatics,' big--otiffnnd demagogues? If they should entCr the field of letters, would they adorn every thought and lino with the rich outpourings of true hearts, permeated with a desire to ameliorate the lot of their fellow men, and make the world purer and better? Or would they, as many literati and "makers of books" have already done, prostitute their genius and betray their generous Benefactress) by distilling moral and intellectual poi son, and breathing forth pestilence to de stroy the souls of men, and clog the arter ies of progress? If they should enter tho pulpit, would they bear the standard of pure, unselfish religion, in the footsteps of thoirRodcem er, as a priceless o tiering to all conditions of men ? Or would they wrap themselves in a cloak of bigotry and narrow illibcr ality and try to organize a monopoly get up a "corner" on religion, founded on their own selfish dogmas and pet beliefs, and then nickname it Christianity 1 If they become politicians, will they teach tho world that the scientist, the man of culture, has a proper place in politics, and that he can enter and still be pure, honest and generous? Or would they be. come barnacles, feasting upon the nation's life, vile tricksters, and selfish, unprinci pled demagogues, actuated by no emotion but personal greed, and possessing no nob ler desire than thirst for power at any cost? If they become statesmen, will they labor for the public good alone, and legislate with this great object in view ? Or would they become " Salary-grabber," and slaves of "Credit Mobilier" monopolists? And yet, however they depart from their teachings, whatever they do or be come, in the eyes of the world, the Uni versity will be honored or dishonored will rejoice or sorrow. But in this in stance the hope that our Institution has sent forth a band of able representatives and noble champions, eclipses all fear or forebodings. We now propose to write a short bio graphical sketch, giving the mental and physical characteristics and the attain ments of each member of the class. Let no one hint, however, that we are actuated by a mercenary motive. We arc painful ly sensible that we are incompetent to the task, and that a severe or unjust criticism or a grave blunder on our part would be perilous, for who knows but that, when our time comes to step upon the stage, our advancement in public station may depend upon the patronage and favor of some one of these gentlemen that now bid us farewell, who shall then have as sumed the insignia of honor, and pu( on the chaplet of fame ? KItANK I'. IIUUI) wasborn in Jerseyville Illinolso, Oct. 10, 1832, being now a little over twenty-one years of age. Mr. II. is of medium bight slightly but compactly built, with sinews firmly knit, light complexion, light and curly hair. II. has a purely sanguine temperament. Accordingly, as we would naturally expect, he possesses an easy and agreeable manner, a disposition always sunny and pleasant, seldom disturbed by the frowning clouds of petulance or an ger, without extreme provocation. He obtained his preparatory education nt tho Jefferson Liberal Institute, Jefferson Wis consin. Ho removed to Nebraska in the summer of '71, and, at the opening of the University in tho fall, entered the Scien tific Department of tho Institution, -where he, attended without interruption until ho graduated. ,, In his career as a student H. manifest ed a greater versatility of tasto in the dif. ferent branches of the course than either of his classmates. Ho did not develop a decided preference for any particular de partment of science', but judging from the productions of his pen, and an inti mate acquaintance with him, during the last year of his course, we arc led to think that his tasto naturally inclines to English Literature and Metaphysics. 11. was an earnest and faithful member of the Adol ph inn Literary Society, of which he serv ed as president one term. During the first yearo of his course, as lit himself confesses, he did not take a very active part in tho discussions, and oilier literary exercises of his society; but during his senior year he more clear, ly realized the importance of tills kind of mental training and earnestly improved every .opportunity of speaking and writ ing. As a consequence, he made surpris ing progress. Tho stylo of his produc tions is decidedly philosopic and general. The several orations which he delivered during his last year evinced a considera ble power of generalization and abstract thought. His productions show more rhetorical and real literary characteristics than those of his classmates. Asa friend II. was generous, Frank, and true-hearted. As a member of socie ty, his genial disposition, agreeable man ners, and unfailing good nature made him universally loved and respected. (In fact, just between you and me, Reader, in a strictly confidential manner, which you must solemnly promise not to mention, I will just hint that Frank was a special favorite with the girls, who do ted upon tho " curly-headed" youth, and we are prone to believe that ho reciproca ted to a considerable extent.) In regard to tiic future vocation II. has chosen we cannot speak with certainty, but, for the time being, he has once or twice hinted that he intended to don the granger's checkered " warmus," and ru ralize for a time. UHIAII II. MAI.ICK was born near Van Wert, Ohio, March 10, 1851, being now a little over twenty, three years of age. M. is somewhat above the medium hight, rather heavily form ed and strongly built, with light complex ion, and curly light brown hair. M. has rather a mixed temperament. We would classify it as bilious, sanguine approaching slightly to tho lymphatic. Accordingly we find him more reserved and taciturn in hismannerthanMr. Hurd. Yet wo must not, as might be expected from an extreme bilious temperament, in fer that Mr. M. is a morose, or unsocial being. On tho contrary he loves society, enjoys vivacity, and is an exceedingly agreeable social companion, though not given to lengthy speeches, and is seldom guilty of perpetrating pretty compliments and fashionable nothings. M. obtained his preparatory education at his native place Van Wert from which place, a number of years since, ho removed to Miu broad prairies of Nobra ska, then wilt' and sparsely settled, but exhaustloss in resource, and ollbring a vast field for labor and usefulness, to a young man of aspiration and talent. M. wisely determined to fit himself to take advantage of these propitious circum stances, and with this object in view, on- tered tho University at its first opening, where ho remained until ho graduated. M. is peculiarly a scientific scholar. His whole mind seems to bo bent in that direction, and ho has never shown miuh taste or predilection for language or clas. sic literature. M.'s special forte Is mathe matics. In this he excels, standing at the head of his class, and we believe, tak ing the lead in this department of science of all students that have yet entered our University. As would be expected from uhat we have said, his literary productions have all been upon scientific questions. Like Mr. Hurd, as well as Stevenson, M. until within the last year of his course did not engage very extensively in the various exercises of his literary society tho Adolphian. But during the senior year, he produced several good orations, and published one or two excellent pa pers in tho Hksi'Kuian Sitdi.nt, la which considerable originality and breadth of thought were apparent. 31. lias chosen the profession of Civil Engineering for his life work. We not only think that he has chosen a vocation for which he is eminently qualified, but one that offers many ricli inducements to the western man. We have no fears, but that the near future will reveal him wear ing tho laurels of a faithful workman's, merit and success. WALLACE M. 8TEVKNS0N, the junior member of the class, is a na tive of the Old Keystone State. (We do not mean to insinuate that he is a Penn sylvania Dutchman Steve is very sensi tivc on that point.) S. was born in the town of Mount Picas ant, Wayne county, Pcnn., April 8, 1853, from whence, at tho age of seven, he re moved with his parents to Nebraska City Intlic latter city has been his homo ever since. He entered the Scientific Depart ment of the University at its opening. S. is rather tall, slender, and slightly built, dark complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair almost black. His tempera ment is rather of a mixed character bil ious.nervous. During his course in college S. hus been a diligent student. It was his mis fortune to possess a weak constitution, so that ho frequently brought sickness up on himself, by over-taxing his energies in study. 8. is one of that class of students whose whole soul is imbued with a lovo of learning, who studies to gain knowledge for itself alone, and not for a diploma, or other transient honors. During the great er part of his sojourn in the University S. evinced rather a reserved disposition,, indeed was thought to lie a little bashful and ditlident in Ills manners. This idea, however, we have reason to believe is erroneous. In fact it was founded upon the notion of certain young ladies, who imagined S. to be rather coy, and wanting the requisite assurance in their bewitching presence. But, by dili gent research among old and new reccords and various musty documents published in the Hksi'Kiuaji Student, and divers Incidents handed down by tradition, wo have concluded that whatever bashful ncss he may have manifested was unnat ural , for we hear from good authority, that in the extreme latter end of his course ho was discovered gallanting numerous fair damsels, oft limes and in divers pla ces, in the most improved modern style. But, as the astute Joscphus would observe, lot every man form his own opinion as t this matter, but as for us we opine that S. lovetli the girls " just tolerably well." S. was universally loved and respected by tho faculty and his fellow students. His scrupulous care in his habits, and his candor and frankness in his dealing with others, were matters of frequent romark and the cause of constant praisp and ad miration, ' ,. In his studies S. also showed n,vers.atil ity of taste. Ho was foiid of the natural