THE HESPERIAN.
must have a reformation if not a revolution, and both may be
necessary. Other nations saw the light and profited by their
experience; but Spain failed to step into the pool when the
angel moved the waters and she still waits for his reappear
ance. Mr. Polk appeared unwell, caused by overwork, but he
plunged into his speech and delivered it with his usual vigor.
The subject was a fortunate one for his purpose, and the treat
ment was skillful and strong.
Miss Edith Doolittlc, one of Lincoln's most accomplished
pianists, theu rendered Rubinstein's polonaise, "Lc Bal,"
to th evident enjoyment of the audience. The subject chos
en by the next speaker, Miss Jesse Wolfe, was,
THE MARTYR OF THE SOUDAN.
The late war in the Soudan was an important one. Hut its
political results will be uppermost in making its recollection
imperishable. General Gordon, was the heroic soul, the soli
dary defender of Khartoum, and it is his association with the
struggle which will be the most lasting. To him was due, en
tirely, the success of crushing the Rebellion in China some
years before, and his career in the Soudan is not less marvel
ous. His stroke against slavery, the curse of the Nile country,
is one whose force will be finally felt in that worthy strug
gle. The crisis came and General Gordon was the only man in
all Britain deemed competent to successfully meet it. Gen
eral'Gordon'alonc had misgivings about the final result, as
he only fully comprehended that complex situation. His de
fense of Khartoum was indeed gallant; and those pathetic ap
peals for aid will forever ring reproachfully in the cars of his
countrymcn,"exciting the sympathy and admiration of human
ity. Escape would have been easy but he was faithful to the
end. Defeatjwas grander for him than victory could have
been. His life was brightest in its departure, and found its
greatest success iu failure. His great sacrifice for them has
served to invest him in the cyesofthe English, with a sort of
grandeur. They recognize in him the glamour and bright
ness of the Heroic Age, for never was soldier truer to his
flag, or Christian to his faith.
Miss Wolfe could not have selected a more happy subject,
and her treatment of it showed much ability. It was cut af
ter no conventional pattern, and possessed an originality of
style that was refreshing. A little hesitation in an otherwise
pleasing delivery was the only thing that made her friends
fear that her effort would not be granted first honor.
ERASMUS.
Contemporary with Luther was Erasmus, l'hcy were sim
ilar yet unlike. The essential of Luther's character was force;
for him, to think was to believe; his faith turned inevitably to
creed. To Erasmus, dogmawas impossible. He had an cle
ment of weak subservience that, until we study the man,
makes us despise him. Luther's Bible and hymns touched
the German heart; Erasmus' Greek and Latin reached only,
the learned few. Erasmus was no reformer. lie did not
strike at the root of the matter. He would retain monasti
cism and Papacy, not perceiving that one must be dethroned,
the other destroyed, that reform might come and education
do its work. But Erasmus was a scholar. From his youth
he pursued learning wtih unflagging zeal. Death found him
working at his books. His work was to strike a priestly
supremacy by cultivating a spirit of literary criticism, and, by
editions of classic authors, to spread through theupperclasses
of society a generous humanism. His work was preparatory,
but it is not too much to say that Luther would not have suc
ceeded had not Erasmus and his fellows done their part
Though Erasmus and Luther failed to understand each other,
our privilege is to appreciate both and hail them co-workers.
Mr. Barrett speaks with deliberation, for an orator and
had a production that was too heavy to make atypical oration.
It was a strong, condensed article, adorned by no snperflous
words and no flowers of rhetoric. It was successful simply
because it was strong in thought and unassuming in delivery.
This was the last oration on the programme, and at its con
clusion the judges, Professors L. A. Sherman, G. E. Barber,
and A. H. Edgrcn retired to prepare the decision. Miss Clara
Stevenson delighted the audience with a vocal solo, "The
Maiden's Secret." She wa tumultously applauded, and
compelled to give another selection, which she rendered in a
captivating manner.
After a short delay the decision was announced, giving first
honors to Mr. H. P. Barrett, second honors to Mr. C. S. Polk.
Applause greeted the decision, and the audience retired, evi
dently in good humor with themselves and the society that
had furnished the entertainment. The contest was an unusu
ally close one, making the work of the judges extremely difli
cult. Every speaker won adherents in the audience, and had
the matter been put to popular vote each oration would have
had a goodly number of votes for first place.
DIRECT POINTERS.
Best shoes for only $3.00 at O. W. Webster and Bro's.
Cochran Bros, keep 'Students Delight" peanuts always on
hand. Special rates to students on all restaurant goods.
Go to Lwings for sealskin caps.
Go to O. W. Webster & Bro. 1043 O St. for the best $3.00
shoes.
Attend the Lincoln Business College.
Mawe's 1221 O St., full line of fruits aud confectionery. .
Go to Kelly's for fine work in photography.
Cadet suits, gloves and caps at 1. Ewtng & Go's.
Full line of silk mufflers and nobby silk handkerchiefs at
Ewings.
Our best $3.00 shoos at O. W. Webster & Bro. 1043 O St.
O. W. Webster & Bro. keep the best stock of boots and
shoes.
For fruits, confectionery, cigars and tobacco call on J. T.
Cochran & Bros., 207 S. 1 ith St. They always deal squarely.
The best maple sugar taffy at Mawes. Try it.
Choice fruits, confectionery and lunch all the year round
at Bedson's, 1119 OSt.
Kelly always docs well by the students. Give him a call.
You will always find Kelly on hand to do good work.
Manley keeps a full line of confectionary goods, give him a
call.
Students will receive best of attention at Manlcy's.
Bargains at T. Ewing's in Winter goods, don't fail to look
at them.
Dennis, the hatter, keeps a full line of gents furnishing
goods also of neckwear &c.
Manley has the cream of the candy trade.
Special prices to students at T. Ewing &Co's.
W. R. Dennis should be your hatter and furnisher.
H. W. Brown keeps a full assortment of students books.
You will always find a large stock of hats at W. R. Dennis'
Go to F. Hurlbut to get soiled suits cleaned and colored.
Fine clothing at T. Ewing &Co's.
Sam Westerfield is at his old stand and will make special
rates to students.
Go to the Howard House for day board. Best dollar a day
house in the city. You will receive prompt attention and
also warm meals here.
At Cochran Bros., 207 S. nth Street you will find fresh
candies.
In New York go to Delmonico's, but in Lincoln, go to
Bedson's for oysters in every style. Always ready to wait on
you.
If, you want to get solid with your girl take her some of
Mawe's taffy. Yum! Yumll