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THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
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HESPERIAN STUDENT,
l'UULlBHKI) MONTHLY HY THK
HESPERIAN STUDENT PUBLISH
INU ASSOCIATION
OK TIIK
NEBRASKA UNIVKUSITY.
ElMTOU-IN-OHIIU', A. W. FlKLD.
A8800IATK El)lTOIt AND RKVIUWKK,
J. L. Shank.
Local, ... W. A. McAllibtkk.
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All nrtlclcH Tor publication tjlioiild bo addressed
Editor IIkhi'Kuiak Studkst, State University.
Lincoln Nebraska. All subscriptions, with thu
address, should bu Hunt to J. L. Shank.
Subscriptions collected Invariably In nilvuncu.
Advertisements collected monthly.
LAW DEPARTMENT.
At the last meeting of the Regents they
referred the mutter of establishing a Law
School to the Statu Bah Association,
asking that they should report us to the
feasibility of opening this college, and
make such other suggestions as they
should doom proper, The Association
have referred the subject to a committee
to consider the matter and report at their
next meeting. This is a step in the right
direction, and we hope that the committee
will realize their responsibility, and givo
the subject the attention that its impor
tance demands.
It has been proposed that a coutsu of
lectures be given before the students upon
topics connected with this study. There
can be no objections to such a plan if it is
intended only to prepare the way for
something better, but if this is not the
case we fail to see any great good that
would result. The real question to be de
termined would seem to be, whether the
time has arrived for opening this depart
ment of the University. To determine
this there are but two propositions to be
considered, namely: would there be sulll
cient financial support? "Would the num
ber of students who would avail them
selves of its advantages, warrant the out
lay? Judging from the present condition
of things, we would consider that the
question as the financial support it would
be likely to receive, is of vital importance.
Already there are more demands upon the
resources of the University than can be
met. As stated in the last issue, the Agri
cultural College has been continually em
barrassed, and can only be called a partial
success, simply from want of funds. To
establish a Law School and place it upon
a satisfactory footing, must needs take
money, and until this is secured we would
consider the opening, or any other move
that would require uuy outlay, as prema
turo. All friends of learning wish to see the
growth our educational facilities keep pace
with the material progress of tho State.
But so long as legislators show their igno-
ranco of true economy by meeting the de
mand for increased educational advan
tiigeB with reduced appropriations, instead
of steadily Increasing these supplies to
provide for tho rapidly increasing popula
lion, just bo long will our schools be crip
pled, and the many needed improvements
bo impossible for lack of means. This
being the state of allairs at present, unless
there is a certain prospect of this school
receiving n hearly support in the near fu
ture, It would not be policy to open it as
yet
With regard to the second proposition,
as to tho probable number that would at
tend such a school. There need be no
fears on this score when we consider that
in the many towns throughout the Slate
there will average from two or three, to
twelve or fifteen young men who are pre
paring themselves for the legal profession.
If proper facilities were oll'cred, a large
number would avail themselves of its ad
vantages. Then the main question is one
of finance. Before the school can com
mand the respect of students it must com
pare favorably with similar institutions in
other places, and for this it will require the
outlay of no small amount. We hope to
see this school founded, and as the legisla.
turo meets tho coming winter, with proper
encouragement, the necessary funds would
probably be furnished. Let those who
have this matter in charge push it on to
success. If this college should be estab
lished, with tlie Agiicultural College, and
a good prospect of a Medical College, we
would have an institution of which the
State might well bo proud.
FIXED PRINCIPLES.
The importance of definite convictions
of right and wrong can not be over esti
mated. They are tho pillars upon which
society rests, without them there could be
no society. Law, the safeguard of civili
zation, is only a grouping together of ideas
that in tho course of human history have
come to be considered as just. The formal
enactment of a law is only fixing tho seal
to what has already exibted.
Progress is due to the stubborn adhe
rence of individuals to their convictions
of truth. The foundation of civil liberty
rests upon tho constancy to the principle,
that till men are created free and equal.
The freedom of America and all its at
tendant consequences were made possible
simply by tho continued fidelity of one
man to his fixed belief, that across the
broad expanse of water existed a now
world. Who would have imagined that
when a few years since those wild enthusi
ants were laboring to convince the people
that human bondage was opposed to our
idea of liberty, that they would live to see
the realization of their dreams? But such
hi the result of an honest observance of an
honest conviction. When, to sustain tho
supremacy of Christianity, it was consid
ered necessary to cling to the idea that tho
sun moved around tho earth, ho was a
bold man that dared suggest the possibil
ity of tho sun being tho center of tho Unl
verso and tho earth ono of the revolving
bodies; but what a revolution in tho sci
entific world did the labor of ono man
bring about. Tho many inventions that
have blessed humanity owe their existence
in many cases to a life of toil, sacrifice
and steady devotion to an idea. Many re
forms have failed, because tho motive
that actuated tho leaders was not duty,
but the advancement of selfish interests;
hence their fidelity to tho cause wavered
as their personal interests would seem to
dictate.
It might seem that this conservatism, in.
stead of aiding, would stand directly op
posed to progress. So it would be, if by
conservatism we mean the adherence to
the principles of the men of tho past; but
instead wo would have men judge for
themselves and to whatever conclusions
they arrive, remain conservatist forever.
Independence is tho cry of to-day, and un
der its cover much of evil exists. A weak
anchor is better than none. A nnn with
no fixed principles is like a ship without a
rudder, an army without a leader; all may
go well, but there is no surety. To tho
young man I would not advise tho hasty
formation of opinions. Tho world does
not demand it. The general reluctance to
placing matters involving any principle
in the hands of a young man clearly
proves this. But a conclusion once reached
defend it boldly and to tho last. Never
compromise at tlie expense of principle.
Never accept permanently a neutral posi
tion. Be either for or against every con
sideration that involves a question of right,
otherwise you might as well not be. We
say bo true to your convictions; we might
add, bo sure you have convictions. Some
men pass through the world without hav
ing a settled opinion upon any subject and
are tossed hither and thither by every
popular breeze. Others have beliefs, but
before avowing them, must see them ac
cepted by the world. Wo know not which
class should receive the greater pity.
Your success will depend more upon tho
manner in which you support your prin
ciples than upon the principles themselves.
The world allows for a great diversity of
opinion, but has little sympathy for tho
man that will btttray his trust. Men be
come great by becoming the representa
tives of a great principle. Often tho most
unpleasant personal characteristics are
lost sight of in the more important con
sideration of fidelity to duty.
Personal happiness demands fixed prin-
ciples. It would be impossible to con.
ceive of a more unpleasant state of the
mind than that claimed by those ancient
philosophers who doubted everything.
One of the chief sources of pleasure is in
imparting knowledge to others. Tills can
be observed from the child teaching its
younger protege tho mysteries of motion,
to the learned statesman expounding some
of the intricate problems of a oMllzed
government to the less favored multitude.
But without fixed principles this source
of pleasure would be denied us, and we
would find ourselves in tho exact condi
tion of Pyrrlio and his followers believ
ing nothing. We do a violent injury to
the finer sensibilities of our nature, to re
fuse tho sanction of our Judgement to any.
thing upon which the mind can build.
The ellect of the many false ideas that
have prevailed throughout the past, by
giving tlie mind something upon which
to rest, has made the present possible. It
may be replied that men are not to blame
for what they believe. Belief or disbelief
is under tho control of tho will to a far
greater degree than is generally supposed.
Wo can argue ourselves into tho accept
ance or rejection of almostanything. Our
first duty to ourselves is to see that wo are
established firmly upon principles by
which tho acts of our lives can bo regulated.
Students! There is no better way of re
deeming those odd moments of which tho
Chancellor was speaking, than in propar
ing an article for tho Studknt.
Tho meeting of the Board of Regents
on the 24th of last month, was fraught
with more interest to tho Univeisity (i)nu
any meeting since tiio founding of the in.
stltutlon. Tho members of the Bonrd
were all present. Regent Fitlcld, who
was appointed at the last meeting of tho
Board to look after the Indian curiosities
collected by tho late Regent Hungorford
reported that lie had made arrangements
whereby they would soon bo shipped to
to tho Museum of tho University. The
committee on Education, to whom was re.
rerred tho subject of accepting the dornil.
tory on tho Agricultural Farm, reported
that tho building waB completed accord
ing to contract, in every particular. Their
report was accepted and on their rocom.
mendatinn the laud which was to have
been given in exchange was deeded to Mr.
Rufus Yard, ono of tho contractors. A
coinmunidation from Gen. McBrlde, re
questing tho Secretary of War to detail an
olllcor of tho U. S. A. to givo tho students
military instruction, also to npproprintu
arms for their use, was received. It was
recommended that tho President of the
Board open correspondence with the prop,
or authorities for tho put pose of securing
a military Professor. Regent Holmes pre
settled a memorial requesting tho Board to
open a medical department. It was re
furred to tho State Medical Association,
and at their last meeting a special com
mittee was appointed to take tlie matter
under advisement, and to report at tho
next regular meeting. The Secretary
called up the subject of purchasing a safo
to hold the books and papers of tho Uni
versity. He was instructed to purchase
one and have it forwarded immediately.
Regent Tuttle presented tlie subject of tho
care of trees already set out on the cam
pus, and also of setting out more, and de
sired that some action be taken in tho mat
ter. A memorial eulogising tho lato Re
gent E. M. Hungorford, also expressing
profound sympathy for tho bereaved fami
ly, was adopted. The Secretary was in
structed to send a copy to the mother of
Mr. Hungorford, at Ottumna, Iowa, and to
others of his friends. The election of a,
Chancellor, in tlie place of A. R. Benton,
resigned, and who goes to Ills old homo
in Indianapolis, Indiana, to take charge
of a college situated there, was called up.
Hon. Edmund B. Fairfield, L L. 1). Pros-
idenr of Pennsylvania State Normal
School, was elected to tlie position. Dr.
Fairfield comes to us with the best of rec
onunendations. He has several personal
friends in tho city, and they all unite in
praises of tho wUdom of tho Board in
their selection. The Doctor is a man of
about filly yenis of age, was president of
Hillsdale College, Mich., for about twenty
years. He was elected to several honora,
bio positions in the State, by the people of
Michigan. lie has traveled quite exten
sively in Europe and America, and studied
tho educational institutions of both conti
nents. Willie we are sorry to part with
our present Chancellor, who has fostered
the University thiough the first five years
of its childhood, and under some very
trying circumstances, yet wo nro glad to
see that so able a man has been selected
to take his place. Tho salary of tho Chan
cellor was increased to four thousand dol
lars por year. Tho Board passed an ap.
proprintion of $125. to pay oil' tho back
indebtedness of tho Stuoknt, and 100.
to pay for studeut'slabor on tho Agricul
tural Farm. Regent Fifield moved Hint
tho subject of opening the Law depart
ment in tho University bo referred to tlie
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