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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 1883)
THE HESPERIAN ST & brought nbout through philosophy iiml criticism. For ages the grout fallacy was making man tho ccntrcl flrjuro of the univorso. Tho schools of moral philosophy have undertaken to analyze human motives have but so far accomplished little; but it is only through n knowledge of tho motives of men, that wo can properly govern society. Had it not been for philosophy neithor Shakes peare nor Milton would have been worth reading. Criti cism is tho safeguard of progress. The race hai devel oped according to unalterable law; every generation be coming a little purer as man becomes wiser. Mankind must bo emancipated from tho bonds of ignorance, and his heart must be sot nglow with peace and love, and char ity for his fellow man, In his oration on "Trial by Jury" Mr. Hitchcock said that the origin of trial by jury is involved in no inconsider able obscurity for tho reason that it is not tho crcaturo of a single legislative act, springing at once into precise and complete form, but is rather tho gradual outgrowth of customs and modes of trial in use among our ancestors, the gcrms-of which descend into tho myths of prehistoric time. From tho earliest Saxon periods to tho timo of George IV jurors were simply witnesses summoned from the vicinity in which tho events in question tqok placo and deposing to facts within their knowledge. In no sense could they be said to discharge judicial functions except that their evidence was conclusive of the facts in dispute. Each age according to tho enlightenment of its civilization has added its mite to tho improvement of one of tho grandest of our social institutions. It is needless to say that the defects of our jury system have drawn tho attention of eminent writers, especially tho requirement of unanimity in rendering a verdict Mr. Htillam, the distinguished historian, calls it a "preposterous ralic of barbarism." While wo point with pride to an institution that has so well stood the test of years, worthy of rever ence for its antiquity; let us help it onward in its progress to perfection. Let us not allow it to pass out of our hands till we have stamped it with tho seal of our best thought, our closest study and our zeal for an absolute and perfect equity, that it may go down the ages a source of blessing and a dispenser of justice to all mankind. Mr. Pierce in his analysis of the character of Ralph Waldo Emerson affirmed that human life has ninny depths, but few divers. Consciously or unconsciously, we hold ourselves aloof from the uukuown satisfied to experience the ordinary, the temporary, tho conventional. Deep, sincere and constant thought is the least common of human experiences. Tho central Doctrine believed and and taught by Emerson was the importance and rcspons sibility of the individual. In the exposition of this idea, he points to nature as tho all inspiring source and unerr ing guide. The soul of man, his instinct has ever prompted him right. Conformity is servile, imitation base. Thus Emerson reached optimism by teaching that man is not bound by what has gone before. No man was more loved and revered by tho people among whom he life was spent than Emerson. The life of a man so per fectly in harmony with his writings, could not fail to effect for good tho thought of hosts who witnessed it. The glory of the sunlight has faded away from the mounv. tain top, after fourscore years of constant shining there, and now but the reflection on the western clouds is left to remind the travelers of true departed splendor. The sage of Concord has entered n wider influence than any other writer of prose in Amoricu. In our own Amorlca no danger is so general as the loss of personal identity. Such is tho louden cy that Emerson attempted to restrain by showing forth the capabilities of tho Unit. Lot every man bo faithful to himself; ho has then accomplished tho most, tho best, tho brightest that can be required. Be pos itivc, ooparato, solf-comploto and tho mighty world shall feel tho influouco of tho effort for which you were created. A. O. Taylor's oration on "Tho World's Progress in Ag riculture," showed that agriculturo was practiced but little in early ages, but as population increased, tho in creased demand for food gave birth to agriculture, which was really tho foundation for civilization, not only the foundation of science and art, but may bo considered the parent of language and literature, that by tracing up the development of agriculture through history wo see pro gress slow at first but increasing in & geometrical ratio, so to speak, so that now tho strides of civilization in ono year surpasses that of any centuary heretofore. Tho agricultural and mechanical methods of tho world have been revolutionized by tho practical application of steam power, science, with her schools, railroads and steamships hove been revolutionized through hand labor. He also shows that agriculture operations present a wider field for in ventive and scientific research than any other occupation alloted to man, that no vocation is moro highly exalted, refining and pleasurable than it when rationally pursued; he also indicates the present grand march of improvement in America surpasses that of any other period iu historyr and foreshadows the developement of agricultural resour ces beyond tho power of human foresight, that must placo ourselves upon that noblo and in spirnging plat form which has as its motto, system, progress and ims Provcment, that our labor must be systematic and must bo directed by intelligence. The "Mission of Poetry" was Mr. Wheeler's subject. He held that poetry is tho record of the happiest and best moments of the happiest and best minds. The mission of poetry is to bring sustenance to that part of our nature which lies between the intellect and the will; it is tho most artistic department of Literature, being near of kin in its effects to music and painting. Tho poet is emperor in his own right. Language is fossil poetry. The poets are liberating gods. Prose is masculine and matter of fact, the "common drudge" 'tween man and man. Poetry is feminiue, it deals with things with October light, paint ing everything it touches iu its moBt bewitching colors The strongest, most universal, most elevating impulse will be the first to common art. This in architecture is religion and in literature is imagination. From tho beginning poetry has attracted to itself the best writers of every age and tongue, the best thoughts of the world, allvo and aglow with the best feelings that spring up from tho depths of the heart have gone into it as its warp and woof. It visits the marble courts of kings; it beautifies the humble cottage of tho weary peasant; it revives tho dead and slumbering emotions vhich were full of action in Life's early morning. Victor Hugo has said many time3 tho poet is the prophet, kings and emperors aro its inferiors not his equals. He represents tho people; ho represents humanity. In discussing "Agricultural Education" Mr. Mallory declared that tho prosperity and power of of any nation is limited by tho capacity of its individual members and