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THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
independence and impartiality; and to advocate at
all times whatever promised the true advancement of
our Alma Mater. In so far as we have succeeded in
keeping up to this standard arc we satisfied; where
in we have failed, we look gladly to ouf successors to
execute more ably and successfully the plan which in
our opinion is essential to the furtherance of the
Student's usefulness and popularity.
We wish to express to our student patrons the
opinion that they misconceive the extent of their
duty to this paper. At the time of the regular
Hesperian elections there is periodical interest
enough exhibited to sustain three or four college
journals, but when the editors and officers of the
Board are once elected, the subscribers seem to think
that they have discharged their entire obligation to the
paper, and contributed the whole of their semi-annual
assistance to its success. This disposition may be a
very strong confidence in the newly chosen Board,
or it may be simple laziness;, but we are strongly
inclined to think it is the latter. In either case it
is asking too much of the editorial corps to compel
them to furnish or hunt up articles for the Scrap Book
department. Contributions should be brought in by
the writeib, and space for their insertion deemed a fav
vor. The Student would highly appreciate a livelier
interest in this matter, and thinks that there Is no
good reason in this instance why the demand for
copy should exceed the supply. Try the experiment
for a while, and if your satisfaction in this paper does
not increase as an early result, you may purchase
our reputation as a prophet at your own rates.
The January number of the North American Re
view contains an article from the pen of Dr. Thomas,
entitled "The Responsibilities of Progressive Think
ers," which is well worth a careful perusal by every
fair-minded lover of thetruth. He makes a reason
ablc and stirring appeal, not for free thought, but for
freedom to think, a liberty which, in the seareh
after truth, shall not imply the thinker's desertion or
ostracism by the teachers and believers of orthodoxy.
He stands forth as an advocate of religion, not of
theology, of the spirit, not the letter, of the creed.
In view of the author's personal history, the article in
question is especially forcible and touching. A stain
less private life, a nobly moulded character, a zealous
pursuit of the truth and a fearless disregard of the
consequences resulting from the performance of his
duty, a boundless love and charity for his fellow-men
and an abiding faith in their ultimate welfare and
happiness; these are the characteristics of the man
who calls upon his fellow creatures to shake off the
fetters of dogma, and fear not to believe and confess
that which accords with their reason. With purity
of motive, earnestness of purpose and steadfastness
of conviction, this grandly honest human being
stretches out his hands to his vast brotherhood, hu
manity, and simply asks the tolerance and attention
of his generation. Will they grant it? Will they
adopt the following passage for their future guide?
"Be true, true to facts and to the laws of thought;
and with a confidence .in truth that can know no
doubt, follow where truth leads; and if the way be
dark and uncertain for a time, wait for the morning."
The semi-annual election on the first instant was
largely attended, and resulted in the election of one
of the ablest editorial corps that it has ever been our
pleasure to see take control of the Student. That
the election was entirely under Union control was
very manifest, though quite unusual; but while the
Palladianswcre evidently surprised, they exhibited the
good grace to swallow the pill gracefully and without
a murmur. Recollections of their past successes, no
doubt, and dreams of the future, rendered them ac
quiescent in allowing every position on the Board to
be filled by acclamation, an event which we have
never witnessed before. We are loo well acquainted
with the natural temper of the Univeroity to infer
from this that our college millenium is at hand; but
with the present friendly relations existing between
the societies, there is no special object or advantage
to be gained by a society majority on the Board.
This journal is not and should never be a partisan of
either society or of any university faction, and upon
the management of the paper devolves the duty to See
to it that no such partisanship characterizes our first
and only venture in the line of college journalism.
Considerable has already been said in these col
umns concerning the need of a chancellor in the Uni
versity, and as this journal purports to be a mouth
piece of our students in general, we cannot as yet re
main quiet on the subject. In the first place let it
be understood that we do not consider that the prin
cipal aim and duty of a chancellor is to enforce disci
pline and maintain order. This can be and is done
without such an officer. The Student and its sup
porters do not place the head of this institution, past
or future, on a par with the principal of a public
school, the superintendent of a manufactory, or the
warden of a penitentiary. Aside from the necessary
and tolerably easy control of our students, there is a
higher, more difficult and equally essential depart
ment of labor which can be properly carried on by
but few men, and by men whose entire attention and
energy are applied to the duties of that department.
The true work of the president or chancellor in any
college or university cannot be advantageously dis-