IBWWTTffT31
wWliOTWWWWHWKWIWWPtWMWttMi
i
1
habile of thought thai tljcsu ideas
havo been, one by one, expanded, mttl
wrought om from thoir original ele
ments. Thus wo might continue to bring
illustialious from every branch ol hu
man thought and knowledge to show
that progress is from the s nyle, sim
ple idea or genu to tho most compli
cated forms which have yot been
reached. Nor is it probable thai man
has yot attained anything like the do
greo of dovelopmenl which it is pos
sible lor him to gain in any li e of
work which he sees spron:! out before
him, whether that work lio in the
ro.il m of nature or of thought
These ideas in regard to the method
of advancement in law, in govern
ment, in morals are not mcro id e fan
cies of the brain; for they have i.cuu
verified by the mos, careful study of
ancient customs and institutions; the
most accurate obsoivition upon the
various steps in the passage from thoir
curly to their present fotius it seems
to bo a'most impossible to doubt that
this lino of progress is governed by
the same laws which naturalists claim
govern the evolution o.' life and its
various forms throughout all nature.
In the case of law and government
these laws can bo proved, for their
development ha& taken place within
historic time-; but, if these laws can
be proved true in somo lines of human
progress, in fact, in every lino which
we can follow hick to its source. I
say, if those laws aro thus often true,
may wo not reasonably extend them
to other casoR in which there aro woine
proofs to sustain them; ana, finally,
may we not include all progro-s, all
advancement and development under
the one law, tho law of evolution;
the law that the simple comes first,
and from it is developed all tho forms
mid conceptions which go to make up
tho complexity which surrounds us.
In this law we do not protend to ac
count for the beginnings of life or
thought; they are above and beyond.
But when these are given, then the ad
vancement eems t proceed through
the law of evolution. But what of it?
it is asked, if this true? How is man
to bo benefitted bv it? How can it
unlock tho mysteries of nature which
surround man, and unfold to him tho
means of understanding nature, hiui
eelf and his Creator? In this way: ho
thou knows the groat law which gov-
cms all advancement, and thus he can
proceed to examine its application to
tho world around him. As a knowl
edge of the law of gravitation gave
a chance for the explanation of many
phenomona in nature, so a k owlcdge
of the general law of progress would
lot men seo how to mold everything in
nature and thoir life to accoid tMt,
and thus send lorward tho tide of pro
gress in such a way as can not be done
unless everything conforms to its law.
Again, if the law is not known, it
may not bo obeyed; and, if not obeyed,
ruin follows; but, if known aud fol
lowed, whtre shall progress stop?
Whore? Cml? with tho pXfecl ful
fillment of tho law, and hence -with,
perfection. Qui.
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
KMTOltS IM 01I1HK,
1). II. MlJUOKI!, II. V. IIAIUIINIITIIN.
Ahhuoiatk Kiiitoii Miss Williams.
Local Kiiitoii 1!.. 11. Da vim,
Hi'hinksm Manaokii D. W. Kikiikii.
Tho Nebraska Universily is the only
collegiate institution of our acquaintance
where a gymnasium and nthlotia exercises
in u not encouraged. It is true an organ
isjatiou of litis kind has been effected here
but sad to say it is in such an embryotic
condition and presages no progress. Let
a few energetic students tike the matter
in charge and we doubt uol but that their
efforts will be crowned with success. A
round with the gloves, a turn at the hor.
izontal bar, or a bout with the Colls, either
of which is a good alter dinner exorcise,
will greatly lend to develop muscle and
activity on the pari of the practitioner.
DISCIPLINE.
Nor does ,ft'imlkyf'child or student differ I II was expected Ihal we would publish
One of the most important corner-stones
upon which is built success in any enter
prise is discipline. Whatever the under
taking, discipline, in tho use of those
means by which the end shall be reached
is the one thing most necessary. Crom
well taught to England how essential it is
to the success of an army, and the battles
of armed men, does not differ in the ne
cessary requirements of success, from the
struggles we are called upon to meet in
every dav life. Germany in war, in learn
ing, and in art, has gained all by which
she is entitled to the first rank among na
tions, by hard, laborious discipline. Her
scholars like her soldiers are the mos
thoroughly trained, her paintings are no
ted for the studied minuteness of details;
yet Germany's institutions of learning,
and her galleries of fine art arc the admi
ration of tho world. Thorough discipline
is no less necessary for readiness and en
durance in mental and physical work.
The thoroughly trained mind can accom
plish double the work in the same length
offline; then, when we consider the brev-
ity of life, and how long and how dilll
cult the road which others have travelled
bi-t.iie us, aud over which we must pass
liufoi"! we reach the point from which we
may hope to rise, before wo stand wo
besido tho untouched marble out of
which wo may carve the monuments
of our ambitions, how important the dis
cipliue aud training by which wo may,
rapidly and easily overcome the difllcul
tics thut oppose us on every hand, A phil
osophic view of ones own situation at
college would induce him to court, rather
than complain of severe discipline, since
that is the most needful preparation for
future labors. There is no one thing
which people have nioro reason to be
thankful for than a cheerful disposition.
Especially will the truth of this ap.
pear to those students whose lots have
been cast with professors who were not
blessed witli genial dispositions. The
mental vigor of a class is increased as
mudi by genial tho ardor of Its professor
as much as do the contents of a garden
under the encouraging rays of tho sun.
"W,e have all wandered at the power of
Bcrghover animals, yet the means he us
'materially from a balky horse. Wo may
say it is even tho duty of all to wear as
cheerful a countenance as possible for
there are few things more infectious than
a bad humor and ono gloomy cnuuto
nance will cast a shade over a whole coin
puny. He always cheerful and in the lan
guage of Hamlet to to his mother I would
say: "assume that virtue if you have it
not."
Tho lato Whlttaker outrage perpetrated
at West Point Military Academy is now
engrossing the attention of the papers and
the country at large, aud certainly deser
ves special notice ,1'roin the students of
every Institution. A board of investiga
tion lias been diligently at work revising
and completing testimony for several days
in order to determine whether the deed
was committed by Whittaker himself, by
students, or persons outside the college.
When found, his hands were bound, his
head and body bruised and his ears gash
ed. Even supposing a man would com
mit such a cruel act on his person
in this instance we opine such a suppos
ition absurd, from the manner in which
the deed was done, and our only condit
ion is that it is a repetition of what has
occurred in that school many times in
the past. If Wesl Point, an institution
supported by the general government, is
to harbor such a remnant of barbarism as
is hazing, it is high time the public were
saved the expense incurred and the doors
of the Academy closed. This impish con
duct on the pari of students has been a
sore ailliction long enough. Although
tho severity and frequency of hazing lias
been checked of late, yel the spirit, latent
and despicable, is still to be found in
most eastern colleges and only awaits an
opportunity to burst lorlh in all its dan
ger. If Wesl Point cannot be made an
institution worthy the support of a civil
ized government, let it be abolished tin-
instead make a more efficient military
training a part of every college curricu
lum. By an act of Congress tho Neb
raska University and other seats of learn
ing of like organization arc provided for
in this respect, a military olllccr, a grad
uate of West Point being detailed as in
structor. As to this University tho plan
works admirably and 11 is our pleasure to
say that our military department was
never in such a flourishing condition
Tho drill is no longer repulsive. All its
disagreeable features have been removed,
and why? Simply because tho command
ant, understanding human nature, treating
the cadets as thinking sentient beings aud
not as automitons, has awakened a spirit
of interest which lias swelled the ranks to
sixty. Nexl Commencement we expect
the cadets to make such a commendable
exhibit on public parade as to give for
themselves the perpetual favor and good
will of the Regents and people at large
If the success is consummated that we
anticipate it will not he long until the
graduate of our military department will
stand on equal ground with the no better
rained student ol many exclusively mili
tary schools
It affordH several members of tho
Moral Philosophy Class much satis
faction aud amusement to hoar the
chancellor dilate upon the power of
1 es are simple enough; only kindness majorities.
'
i :.-v .
tSSSSXasKmimMmmmmmmmmmmtifmwmmms'tmaig
a marriage notice In (his Usuc. Accord
inglyyo local hud written up a beautiful
eulogy on "married bliss" closing tin
with a poetic lay, when all this toil was
made as nought by his hearing tnat the
marriage had not come oil. We propose
to save (his great ellorl for tho benefit of
he llrsl young lady of (lie University who
marries. Now, ladies, don't all take the
hint at once for the same send off for all of
you would grow monotonous.
In a late issue of Literary Notes, ltogoul
Eifleld oilers as"a reward of valor" his pa
per for one year to the graduate or gradu
ates of the State Normal, Doau Collgo aud
University, who would deliver a Com
mencement Oration not exceeding leu
minutes in length- This hint comes no1
only from one representing the people
who usually attend such exercises bill is
an expression ola man, educated, culttir
ed and highly authoritive. The Senior
who selects his theme early and labors
incessantly lo make it a credit both to
himself and his Alma Mater is not obliged
to amplify his wisdom into a half hour
discourse. In a large class twelve
minutes tit tho most is sufficient lime to
be alloted to any one and we should not
object if the Faculty would make such a
requirement. But the greatest objection
to orations and essays "long drawn out"
and not "sweetness" either, is with socio
ty oxo'-cises These to be must interesting
should bo spicy ami of varied character. .
Too often has an audicdee become dul'
and torpid because of some member's
thoughtlessness in the length of his pro
duction aud we are only surprised that
the societies support their present flourish
ing condition under a require that allow
eight or nine members from ten lo twenty
minutes each for an Oration and essay
A reform in this respect is greatly need
ed in the societies aud we hope the prop
or authorities will see to its fulfillment.
The Hesi'Ehian Studbnt ts born'
again and we hope it a long and success
ful future, 'lhe nresent issue assumes a
form entirely different from that of pro
ceding issues. The magazine form was '
neat, attractive and well represented Col
lege papers but it was not economical.
When we discovered that the monthly ex
penses greatly exceeded the monthly re.
coipls on subscriptions, advertisemcnts.&c
cur bolter judgment prompted us to cur
tail and reform, Even with the large a
mount of outside assistance received wo
eked out an existence. Now no business
would recommend such a course as this
and we do not propose to pursue it long
er, taking sylace fram tho adage "Borne
was not built in a day." The board havo
determined to commence anew the battle
of life with a four page, sixteen column
paper, lo be, issued semi-monthly, and as
soon as the state of finances will warrant
to enlarge It to an eight page, then sixteen
pagc&c, Tho Student Is in a more preca
rlous condition at present than it was two
weeks after its first issue iu 1871, but by
caieful supervision aud wise manageinent
we expect to see it speed along the high
way of prosperity, a credit to the botipd
iuiu the University. To the citizens and
business men wo exteuu our heartfelt
thanks. There has never been sot on foot
a college enterprise that has not received
their most grateful support. It Is our hope
that the Student may always meet their cs.
teem and iissL:i'.ce. This issue closes
our career as editor. May our successors
v """': t$rF$Zl L"KMfc$rlLi:
i