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472
KDITOIUALS.
VOIi. VII
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By our system of education tlio student
finds little opportunity for acquiring ft
knowledge of the practical affairs of life;
and to satisfy his ambition, lie must estab
lish enterprises of his own. It was un
der this spirit of nctivily that the student
originated the College Journal, and now
when he contemplates that there Is hard
ly a college in this country, that has not
its magazine, he must have some anxiety
concerning the destination of his enter,
prise.
But regardless of its '"formation and
rapid growth, the bold question now pre
sents itself, as to what shall be its license,
what its liberty, what its freedom of
speech.
It is evident that the primitive idea of
a college journal, was the discipline to be
derived from writing upon subjects that
require some thought and skill in narra
tion. But no sooner had this been estab
lished than it was found interesting to
introduce the local news of the institu
tion. So at the present day we And college
journals of all discriptions. Some arc
filled almost entirely with abstract
themes, while others going to an opposite
extreme glow with bright and witty say.
ings of college jocularity. Entering the
homes of students they go far towards
establishing in the minds of the household
the inlluence that surrounds the son or
daughter away at college. It is in the
columns of the college paper, that the
sentiments and literary ability of the
student aro made known. Carrying with
it this information, its influence can only
be the more augmented. But whatever
may be its discription or its inlluence, its
appearenee greatly represents the force
and character of the college from which
it is issued. The olllcers of the institu
tion must then have some anxiety as to
tho sentiment of such, a representation.
With such a trust, what course is to be
pursued? It is supposed that students
between the ages of twenty and thirty
have some idea of right ahd wrong.
They have at least the age to investigate
for themselves and tho judgement to ac
cept the theories and opinions of others.
Or, if accommodations arc to bo made but
ter, students by their experience and situ
ation know what would best accommo
date themselves.
It is certainly one of the greatest aims
of every institution to offer the best ac
commodations for its students. It is then
necessary that the wants of tho students
bo understood; and in no better way can
this be ascertained than through the col.
umns of his journal. The student has
little opportunity for discussion in tho
class-room; and if the college press be de
nied him experience has doubly proved
a woful retaliation, the use of tho public
press. It is, then, for tho benefit of all
that the student bo allowed to speak free
ly upon any feature that can be Improved
or that will aid him in his work.
Freedom of speech is the characteristic
of the age. It is in reality the great teach
er of humanity, and to it wo must all con
form. Tills then must bo tho guide of tho
collego journal, this the extent of its li
cense; and so long as it conforms to
truth, good judgment and duo respect, no
trouble can ever arise, since truth will
at all times stand investigation. Tho
growth of college journalism so long as
built upon such basis can never be too
rank nor its power too aggressive.
A NEED.
At tho opening of every term, now stu.
dents come among us and others often
change their boarding places. Tho win
ter term is not far distant and it seems a
suitable time to call attention to the lack
of accommodations for those students who
board themselves. For such as hire their
board, it is not a very difficult matter to
find lodgings, and next term, when tho
new dormitory is completed, boaul can
doubtless bo had at cheaper rates than
hitherto. But after all the reductions
which we expect in boarding rates, there
