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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1879)
NO. fl. KDITOniALS. 205 the representatives of nil those phases or society that constitute the commonwealth ofthestato. Hore, also we arc supposed to find those youthful characters, which the education and discipline aflbrded is destined to mould. For these reasons the responsibility of the institution becomes the most sacred. To feed the inquiring mi I'd with unquestionable truth is its sole duty. Unless antagonistic views can be equally represented it icmnins far better that those problems where deep and grave conflicts prevail, be left for the impaitial investigation of the student. For to die tate and to prejudice is not the character istic of a modem university. This principle involved it. the choice of her ofllccrs demands the election of such men us are qualified to hold so vital a trust The fact that profane politics has ren dered the University a bone of political contention is humiliation enough, lint when demagogues, either political or re ligious, will sacrifice ability, fidelity and honesty to the dcciecs of creed, we must lose respect for both. KEACTIOX. Wo understand that the courses of study as they are now laid down 5n the Univer sity catalogue of 18784), are undergoing a lovision in the hands of the Faculty. As to the exact changes wo aio unable to slate, though, what it kmn n as the "Lat in Scientific Com so," will probably ap. pear in the new catalogue, with some Lat in, littlo German, and less French. By frequent additions, this course of study has so grown us to compete with the Clas sical in point of discipline. Comprising, as It does, all the Latin of the Classical course, and the modem languages of the Scientific, renders it tedious to the ex treme. It would seem front a comparison made between the catalogue of 1874-5, and the one of 1878-9, that it was about time to cease the constant extension of the vari- ous courts. For already they have been augmented, until we may safely say, they are moie cfllcicut by one year's study; and this additional labor is performed in the same time as before. We champion industry; but we believe that true indus try exists in the thoioughuess of work ac complished, rather than in the books one tuny be said to study. Perhaps the work ol the class-room is not yet so burdensome as to render the mastery of every study impossible; yet the tendency has been such. A i euction ma' be found to act for the better. In Minnesota University and in a few other schools in this country, Monday is given as the weekly holiday instead of Saturday as here. Thcoietically, it seems as if there might be some advantage in such an airangemcnt; how it would work pi nctically, cannot be known except by trial and c erieuce. Under the present ostein, students arc veiy liable to put off till the last moment the preparation of thoir lemons for M,onday; hence quite of ten they aie unprepaied or at least not more than half prepared. If they aie well prepared, it will be found that in a mnjorily of cases, Sunday 1ms been em ployed, not in attending church, but in poring over lessons that have been de fened fiom hour to hour on Friday and Saturday, under the plea of fatigue, or some other equally valid excuse. The lemplulion t employ Sunday for such a purpose would be gieatly lessened, if not entiiely removed by the proposed change. Many kinds of work that pail of the stu dents are compelled to do, could also be done better at the beginning ol the week, than at its close. On the other hand, it would iuterfcie to some extent with the societies, unless their meetings eie held Saturday evening instead of Friday. Some may object to this; but as long as we are comi-elled to adjourn at 10 o'clock sharp, t -e boys would all have time to make the rounds and still get home be fore Sunday; if not well it would be no