Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, October 01, 1879, Page 178, Image 10
178 KMT01UAI.S. VOL. VIII, mill deep that their honrse wail of coin, plaint oannot disturb the progress of tho ago. But wo are wandering from our subject. Many charges have been made against tliu University within tho past low months which the students know to lie false But their testimony is worth nothing; they, is is said, tiro not compi' tent to determine whether the school is doing its proper work or not. That theft arc salislied with their instructors, weighs nothing as against the loud complaint of some one who lias, perhaps, never been within the building. We should like to say something in regard to the leligious phase of this controversy, but policy seems to demand that silence be main tained. One word, however, we feel that it is our duty, as tne organ of the students, to add in defense of our teachers. It is to deny tliu charge that members of the fac ulty make use of their positions to incul cate their peculiar religious doctrines Our testimony on this point ought to be conclusive, as we certainly have tho best possible opportunity to know. Since the University is doing so well at present, the Studkst hopes that this will bo the last word that it will ever he called upon to say upon this, question. Success is now as. s tired, if tho meddling fanatics will only ueop their peace. OOM.KGE OUATOUY. We read of tho magic charms of ori ental oratory, and wonder at its partial disappearance in modern times. Wo hear of nations so aroused by tho eloquence ol the orator as to bend to his every opinion. At first consideration, such a power ml minuting under human discipline, may seem incredible. But when wo exam inc the springs of action Una lend vitality to the forensic art, we feel no longer at a loss to understand its miraculous infiu. enco upon humanity. ' Compelled by a sense of d ngcr or con v'otion of right and wrong, tin.. Greek found no farther incentive necessary to inspire an active intellect, Tho santu principle finds authority in modorn times. No orator gains His reputation, unless ho becomes thoroughly enropt in a firm conviction of that which lie di. closes, and unless he has au object to at tain worthy of his greatest sagacity and energy. Colleges above all other places nfi'ord the least incentive to inspire the mind to lofty and passionate action. What post, lion awakens in tho student tho realiza tiou of weighty responsibility? That po sition is found without colloge walls Thus it is that college oratory is so plain ly detected or its superficiality. With no inducement to speak, other than to excel, a competitor, or to please an audience, lie lacks that conscientious motive that alone moves tho orator to a display of spontane ous oloquenco. Contests for prizes in or atory tend to arouse in tliu student a du' sire to attain a stylo of declaiming that may seem natural. But with all his cf. forts tho mechanical cannot be concealed, nor tho natural made to predominate. Under such circumstance), we need not feel discouraged if tho nttuiumoiils of the citizen cannot be ours. Nor should col. leges bo looked to lor the production of that skilled and natural oratory which they cannot maintain. In college the principles may bo studied ami the theor ies may be of utility. But in the piacti cal world wo must look fur a free and na tural tlow troin the tounttmi ol eloquence ItKADlNQ. Tho students of the University do not soom to appreciate fully the benefits that may bo gained from tliu Kevlow lilcra. tine contained in our library. None of us have tlto time to imiko an exhaustive study of any subject that comes up in connection with our lessons; but in these Reviews, we may find a con lenscd sum mary of the most advanced ie and discoveries of the day. For example, ii the question, what is "The Meaning ol