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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1882)
THE HESPERIAN STUDENT. A literary society is not strictly a place of entertain ment. Papers and discussions upon subjects growing out of the study of history, literature and science may be very edifying and full of interest to students and those familiar with those subjects, but to all others they must be dry and insipid. Yet are not exercises of this character exactly what should be expected in a strictly literary society? If the sole object of the society is to improve its own members and develop in them the powers of ac curate thought and ready speech; then why should the society concern itself seriously about the outside world? We should not like to sec the societies close their doors upon visitors or even discourage their coming. If each performer does his own jwrt well he need have no fear of having to speak to empty seats. Students should learn rather to look upon the society as a little world entirely of their own, where meeting upon the same basis and encountering difficult social and political problems they are to pave the way for the more ear nest work of life. To keep this "student world" as f ice as possible from the influence of the vulgar, thede basement of the theatre and the corruption of politics it must necessarily become somewhat exclusive in character. Our purpose in writing this is neither to criticize nor condemn, but rather to point to an existing ten dency which unless checked in its course may lead to unfortunate results. There cannot be too much said in these columns concerning the cultivation of a true college spirit in the University. We are outgrowing our swaddling clothes and beginning to take a place among other colleges in the country. That place will depend very much on our enthusiasm and love for our Alma Mater shown not only during our college course, but after its completion. With the new era of harmony and prosperity promised by the auspicious beginning of this year the institution is very creditably provided for in the matter of study and instruction. The young state of Nebraska has reason to feel proud of the already advanced grade of her state University, which though necessarily incomplete is rapidly assum . ing important proportions and surely developing in both the depth and breadth of her education and cul ture. The Regents have gone beyond the bare ne cessities of the case and have done their utmost to build up a pride and honor to Nebraska. For the present they can do no more; the next step must be taken by the people of the state. If they show their appreciation and approbation of what has been done, more will follow, and by degrees the desired end will finally be reached. But just here lies the difficulty. The tax payers of Nebraska are still somewhat tender on this point. For reasons, the details of which need not be recounted here, the University has in the past grown to bear an unfavorable reputation throughout the state. The confidence in its benefits that the people should feel has been long retarded by the unfortunate divisions in the Faculty and Board of Regents, which induced either faction to pursue a "rule or ruin" policy in re spect to our much-injured institution. And as if it were not detriment enough to be the scene of those undignified contentions, the University has suffered still further from disgraceful reports circulated and en couraged by those who would prefer that our doors should be closed than that we should prosper without their consent and assistance. The Studen r does not assume to pass its judgment on the merits or demerits of the parties to the past controversies, but simply to urge, now that they are over, the duty and necessity j of improving the opportunity given us to redeem our selves in the opinion of all Nebraska. Despite the idea that probably exists to the contrary, there has never been a time, in the history of the University, when it has not done good and thorough work, sent out brilliant graduates, and influenced for good in some degree the thought and intelligence of the state. To increase this power of our "nourishing mother" to earn for her the confidence of the people whose support is essential to her existence should from this time forward be the earnest aim and Strong endeavor of each and every student here in attendance. It is true that hard study and conscientious adherence to it will gain for ourselves the practical advantages which we hope to obtain from our college course; but beyond this there is incumbent upon us a duty towards the University. Cultivate a feeling of love, of devotion, of pride for our educational mother, breathe no word of slander against her name, defend her from the attacks of all maligners, work for her among your acquaintances at home, prove to them that she is not unworthy of their admiration and patronage, kill out the feeling among your neighbors that shjs an unsafe ginrdian of their children's morals, inculcate into the mind of your ev ery young friend that it should be his cherished am bition to some day graduate vith honor from her halls; do this, and our University will rapidly assume her rightful place in the, state the crowninggloryofitspeo ple. This is no visionary and unattainable ideal; it is but the certain result of our labor, properly directed and unwaveringly pursued. Is it not an end to ac complish which we may enlist our whole-souled en ergies? May we not afford to drop all petty animosities and internal differences to bring about so happy a change? For this movement, if successful, must like charity begin at home. We must work in concert to be effective. When we cease to regard this as merely a convenient place for temporary study and instruction
