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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1875)
vi&mzmm fatiikht&tefaafttJl BRMHHffi i &mae rav 1 jfaa8g&araiwtot WMMiHrfrMfe- .s THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. 1' HESPERIAN STUDENT, VUM.lRHKU MONTHLY 1IY TJIK IIBSPB11IAN STUDENT PUBLISH- ING ASSOCIATION ok tiu: NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY. Eoitou-in-chikf, G. E. Howahd. Afsociatk Editor and Ri:vikwkh, Emma L. Williams. Local, - . W. A. McAllistkii. U. II. Wilson, Business Manager. TERMS FOR SUBSCRIPTION. 1 copy per college year - - $1.00. 1 " six months .... 0.50. Single copy 0.10. 1 BUMS OF ADVERTISING. 1 column one insertion - $4.00. 8 squares " " 1.00. 1 " " " .85. All nrtlcloB for publication Fhould be nddreescd Editor Hr.si'r.iiiAN Stuukkt, State University. Lincoln Nobrnoka. All unbt-crlptlone, with the ddrcos fhonld bopent to the Btiplncss Manager. Subscriptions collected invariably in ndvnnco. Advertisements collected monthly. GRATUITOUS SUGGESTIONS. There is an element which ought to en tcr into the constitution r.ml make-up of every mini's character, which will excuse Co or two gratuitous remarks. An ele ment, in fact, which docs enter into the highest lypc of character. We should de flue it as magnanimity in small things. It is an easy matter to finJ heiocs for all great deeds. The standard of mag nanimity, or heroism, in the great trials, and episodes of life, is easily determined it i universal. But a great many pur eons, who think the po$so all the neces sary qualities and constituents of true no. bility, seem to think magnanimity in the trivialities of every day ox'stonco beneath their dignity, or even in antagonism to it. It is easier to And a martyr to perish with lire and faggot, for his religious creed, than it is to find one who will place liis body, encased in broadcloth or silks, beside a mendicant, a fallen woman, or one of Africa's despised children, in the pew of some tony congregation. It is less dilllcult to find a woman to burn her hand off, for her faith, or a Joan of Arc to lead the armies of her country to victory, than it is to find a lady of high social landing, who will acknowledge an humble and shabbily dressed acquaintance in the fashionable thoroughfare, or over Mep the sacred precincts of aristocratic, focial etiquette, to do some act of human, ity, which her conscience tells her is right, but which all the world says is improper. It is easier to find a Curtius to leap full armed into Death's yawning abyss, for his country, at the command of the gods, or nn Empedoclcs, to fling his body into the rrater of Etna, to gratify his vanity and cheat posterity into believing him a god, than it is to find a man to give his last " two mites " to thestarving washerwoman, or to do tho private net of kindness, which men would never know, or knowing, scofF att as quaint and eccentric, but which would show him really to possess the spir it of a righteous God. It requires more goodness and humani ty to pour the box of precious ointment on the head oi humblo Necessity, or give tho glass of cold water to the little child, tho outcast, the despised, than It does to found a hospital, endow a college, or establish a Smithsonian Institute. What good sister and thrifty housewife will not toil night and day for a week, and bring out all her treasures and goodies, to onlerlatn and de light the new preaoher, already sated with courtes'ics and spring pullets? But what good and virtuous matron will jeopardize her spare bed, draped in snowy linen and warm coverlets, by placing therein tho sick beggar, at whom Death grins, and nothing but care will rescue? Ho would probably bo allowed to occupy tho kitch en or garret floor; for, you know, " mendi cancy must not be encouraged," and " charity begins at homo," etc. It is these little things that try men's souls. The great ones frequently carry their own re wards, and their inducements with them. Peoplu generally like to obtain areputa. lion for superiority, for bolduess, for man liness or womanliness; but it is painful, ami yet ludicrous, to sco what makeshifts arc resorted to, in order to effect this de sire. I have known young men, who wanted to purchase a reputation, for boldness of thought, for intellectual strength, liberal ism, to Llasphemo their creator, scoff at the Bible and all things holy, and declare themselves atheists, who had never read a dozen chapters in the Sacred Word, nor studiid the first principles of the doctrines they profess to believe, as laid down by the leaders in " advanced thought." I have known persons whoso souls lair ly boiled over with excess of patriotism, and who could speak eloquently about "rending the shakles of the bondman and the oppressed," who would join their sneers and disdain to the popular persecu- conirollng himself and of experiencing the emotions of pltv, sympathy, even pain nder such circumstances, exhibits into greatness, allows the noblest magnanimity. It is generally necessary to make groal sacrifices or perform groat deeds of hero ism and fortitude, in order to meet great crises to satisfy great emergencies, which arc almost always caused by the existence of some portentous social evil or calamity. If there were moio oaro taken to be cour ageous, heroic and magnanimous in tho mlnuthu of life, there would be fewer great evils, fewer crimes, and, consequently, lit tle occasion for the mighty deeds, the ter rible sacrifices, and tho prodigies of int. man martyrdom, with whose stories all history is filled and disfigured In a few days tho present official year of tho IIesi'Kiuan will close. The present board of editors will descend tho tripod, inako their bow, and give placo to others. And it is of the coming election that wc desire to say a word, trusting at the same lime that tho exigencies of tho case, and our favorable situation to observe them, will bo a sulllcient excuse for touching upon this subject. The forthcoming election will be the first under the new regime, and without doubt, tho most important in many re spects. The successful continuance of the paper, perhaps its life, will depend upon tho ability, nerve and intereslcdness of tho men who shall gain the control of affairs. Through the magnitude of the labor and cost of publishing a twelve page journal, the pressuie of tho times, and in part, mismanagement, the Studkst has led a very precarious existence during tho entire year, until very recently. Our finances have continually- been in a cramp tion in the village school, to force colored cd and embarrassing condition, and life children to yield up thoir privilege of gaining knowledge. This species of so cial bimdagc is tho crudest of all slavery its chains canker the deepest. Race prejudice is the most contemptible passion which can mar an otherwise bunutitul char acter. I have know young men of high reputa tion, who had not the courage to bear the company of a bore, tho unpopular oddity, or butt of the college, for an hour, rather than wound his feelings by rudeness. I have also known young ladies, who would rudely insult audi an one for any attcnipl ed mark of admiration, rather than endure the jokes of he.' associates, or for the sake of enjoying their empty encomiums for smartness and daring. Shame on such modes of showing su periority! It is given as a reason, why the Irish ' shoulder hitter" hates the No gro, and persecutes him with such mur. derum ferocity, thai ho U afraid that, un less here, he will find none so base, as to be ranked beneath him. A great many people appear to bo actuated by similar motives. And right bore, allow us a word, apro pos to the etiquette of a few young men and women who sometimes frequent our literary societies. They belong to tho genus nuisance, as we have heretofore classified them. When a beginner at tempts to perform his part in tho literary exercises, and stammers, looks awkward, hesitates and ridiculously falls, these per sons seize the opportunity to Bhow tlieh superiority. They sneer, and laugh, and looK around for applause, perhaps leaving a lasting aud cruel wound in the spirit of tho victim, which will discourage him In all future attempts. Ho who Is capablo of itself has been dubious. It is n matter of genuine gratification, therefore, that under our present business management, the gracious light of pecuniary liberty is be ginning to dawn. At present, the monthly income not only meets the current expenditures, but a portion of the back indebtedness lias been liquidated. How important, then, that a prudent and jeal ous regard bo had for our future finan cial prospects in the coming campaign. Our present good fortune is owing, in n great measure, to tho liborality of tho bus iness men of Lincoln. It becomes us, therefore, to placo men at tho head of af fairs whose knowledge of buMness and business etiquette will retain their patron- age. The choice of an able corps of editors is a mailer of no less import ancc. Our position forbids us to refer to tho past ed itorial management; but, with others, we are deeply Interested in the future welfare of tho IIkrim'.uian, and arc very anx ious that the literary character of tho work upon which wo have so long been ongaged, be greatly elevated in the future. This can easily be effected, if wc choose wisely tho best men for the p'sitlou. Wc don't want men (and when wo say men, let it be understood, that wo wish to em. brace the lae'les) who represent party, but those who represent talent, and a talent which will enable them to wrlto easily and elegantly. And right hero, Ladies, a word with you. It becomes you to shako off your lethargy, ceaso to bo sleeping partners In this concern, and tako a hand In tho man agement of affairs. There is no Interest connected with tho University which con cerns you more, or in attendlug to which you can gain more real profit to yourselves or render more aid to others limn tlila. You say you have executive ability, tho faculty of self-government; you niand equal rights, as you ouhMit; you don't want to be pels, but partners- you don't want lo bo led and diricted In all things, but to lead. Now then, hero Is splendid opportunity to show 3 our power Have you no ambition ? Women arc Mid to delight in intrigues here is ft fiDf chance to get up a female ring. Who are your candidates? Shall a male or female ho editor-in-chief, or associate? In short, girls, lie women, and lot us lay our hcadi aud hearts together In tlilsniattcr--flgnrt lively speaking, of course and glorlom success will surely bless the happy uplou. A subject which seems to demand the consideration of the IIkspeuian, ns the exponent of the college opinions and de sires, is our Library. It is not our pur pose to be querulous or to complain of tho present management. Let us simply have a social talk, and reason together concerning the matter for a moment Admirable wisdom and discretion hare been exercised in the selection of our lb lied number of volumes. But, though limited, the collection is choice, and amply sulllcient for the present i.cetls of the University; yet a good library is of very little ; value for shelf-ornament. To be profitable it must bo used, handled, not locked up as a fine exhibition to tho fac ulty, or chance visitors Under the prc out rule, bocks can be taken from the li brary on certain days, by the college ttv dent.1. There arc two objections to this plan which we think worthy of consider ation. First, under existing circumstnn ces, many of our best students, even sonic of the most mature in mind mid the most capable of grasping and appreciating the culture which the literature of the library would afford, are in the Latin Scliool Theoretical ly, perhaps, the regular college students may know how to take better care, and make better use of the books, than the younger students of Ijwer grade but the true nnd only practical philosophy is, to conMdorNwhat ', not what ought to be. But wo iwe not willing to admit, that even tho preparatory students, less mature in mind, should be denied theprivilcgoof taking books from the library. It is es tablishing an invidious discrimination, which lias not been productive of tho best results heretofore. It ispossible that even the justice of this measure may reason ably be questioned. As long as we have a preparatory department, let us have nn equality of interests and privileges. Wc are laught by the same instructors and re cite together in the same rooms. Let us have no intellectual noiutoeracy, nor tattt of seniority. In the second place, the library will be most useful, when jt is available, at all times for the odd moments. The most good is not derived from tho books which we select lo rend at our leisure, but from our reading In the spare hours, class inter vals, etc., when tho exigency, the occasion, or tho spirit promptB. There is a world of knowledge to be gained by posting up on points of history, authority, or tast ing an author's style, just when tho Inspi ration moves us and the time and occasion permit, which is absolutely lost, if the op portunlty, Is or must be neglected. Therefore justice would seem to demand these two charges in tho library regula tions : L " )? 5WrrEvTT.-2Til
