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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 1887)
esa 2 THE HESPERIAN, vm- as well ns themselves. Mr. Forsyth at first seemed a little embarrassed but soon rose to the importance of his question delivering his arguments in a forcible manner. An opponent worthy of him was Miss Glen Talbot; sub stantially her argument was ns lollows: The plans that regu late railroads arc those proposed by themselves, hence arc not beneficial to the public. She insisted that pooling would not benefit local rates but would raise through rates. The Stan dard Oil company was cited as an example of this. Special rates arc freely granted under the pooling system. Allow them protection by law and no benefit will result to the peo ple. Miss Talbot spoke with much earnestness and her argu ments were well worked out. Mme. E. L. Maker, who next sang, has a strong, rich voice and delighted the audience with her rendition of "Nobil Sig nor." She was called out again and sang "The Old Folks at home." Miss Jessie Wolfe was the second orator of the class. Her subject was "The Olympian Zeus." She said that their gods are always an index to the character of the people who wor ship. Before Zeus was introduced into Greece her nature was very simple. He is called perfect and all powerful by Hom er. Yet when measured by our standard has many imperfec tions. Philosophers began to investigate and a process of dc. vclopment commenced until it reached perfection in ideal Christianity. Miss Wolfe's subject was an impressing one and she displayed evidence of deep thought. Her appear ance was very pleasing and she spoke distinctly. Miss Ethel Marsland represented the society by a recitation "The Last Banquet." Her appearance was charming. Her presentation of the recitation differed from the common man ner and she made no attempt at elocutionary effect. Her voice is clear and musical and her recitation was well appre ciated. The entertainment closed with a vocal duet, "The Gipsies" by Mesdamcs Weber and Baker. This beautiful song was rendered so charmingly that the audience refused to go un til the ladies sang another. They were given "Dcr Wasser fall." PHILODICEAN XIUMTION. The weather on Saturday evening was even more unfavora ble than on the preceding night, but notwithsta iding this fact the opera house was comfortably filled by the students and friends of the University. For some unaccountable reason the exercises did not begin until much after the regular time, and it was not till 8:50 that the first number was announced. A violin solo entitled "Le Petit Tambour" was rendered by Mr. August Hagcnow, accompanied by Miss Minnie Cochran with the piano. This very pretty selection was given with 'care and taste, the most expressive passages being brought out with delicacy and feeling. Miss Hattie Curtiss next appeared with an essay entitled "Education: What it Should Be and Do." Miss Curtiss first took up the question as to whether a college education is of use in fitting one for a business career. The problem of edu cation is the most urgent one with which the people have to deal. The courses of study at present pursued in many of our schools and colleges tend rather to a superficial knowledge of many subjects than to a thorough mastery of one branch.The specialist is now most in demand. What are most needed are young men and women who have undergone a thorough course of general discipline, and have at the same time mas tered some one special branch which they can utilize when oc casion demands. Miss Curtiss reading was slow and distinct, her tone being clear and impressive, though not quite loud enough to reach those in the rear part of the hall. "Russia" was the subject of an oration next given, by Mr. Logan Stevens. Russia had been steadily declining in power and influence until Pclcr the Great came to the throne. This energetic prince soon restored the empire to its original place among the nations. The cffecl produced by the Crimean war was to be seen in the new ideas which had sprung up among the people. Democracy was rapidly gaining strength. The emancipation of the serfs was the most noticeable outcome of this movement, but the people were not satisfied; they clam orcd for more privileges. Russia is now passing through a crisis. The Slav is ruled by the Teuton. Freedom and dem ocracy on the one hand are arrayed against aristocracy and absolutism on the other. Hence a change of some sort is eas ily to be foreseen. The fundamental principles of Russian government are democratic, the apparent form is absolutism, but this in due course will disappear. As eastern nations re gard the duty they owe to monarchy almost as binding as that whioh they owe to rcligton, it is evident that for the pres ent, at least, autocracy should continue to be the form of gov eminent. When the Russian nation adopts new methods of thought, then Russia will herself take on a new character and aspect. Mr. Stephens was entirely at home upon the stage, and de livered his oration in earnest and measured tones, his ges tures being few, deliberate and impressive. Mr. J. B. Barnaby then sang a baritone solo, "The Min strel Boy." The gentleman gave this beautiful song so as to necessitate his responding to an enthusiastic encore. Mrs. P. V. M. Raymond played the accompaniment to both selec tions. Instead of the regular debate an arraignment and defense of James Buchanan was given, Mr. W. J. Marsh speaking first, against Mr. Buchanan. The ex-president's statesmanship and ability were rccog nized. Upon his assuming the office of Chief Magistrate many and great things were expected of him. His vacilating policy too clearly shows how unfounded were these hopes. Mr. Buchanan allowed himself to be influenced by bad and designing men, and his marked partiality towards the peo ple of the south was such as to make it evident how he would act in the event of a crisis. The president was to be blamed not so much for whit he did as for what he did not do. He violated his oath in order to preserve the union. When South Carolina was on the verge of rebellion, a decisive ac tion on the president's part would have crushed it in the bud. But Buchanan did nothing lie pled as excuse for his inac tivity his inability to act until Congress should meet. The war is over, and the people are not disposed to be harsh in tlu-ir criticism; but the guilt of James Buchanan will always remain. Mr. Marsh delivered his speech in an easy and natural man ner, and seemed to be deeply interested in his subject. Miss Sarah K. Daley then followed with a defense of Bu chanan. The speaker began by saying that now, judgment, unaccompanied by prejudice, should be given upon the char acter of the ex-president. The American people, while they boast of the little real power possessed by the president, yet attributed to Buchanan almost unbounded power. The in aggressive stand taken by him brought upon his head the ha tred of the south and the distrust of the north. His policy was much too conservative to suit the wishes of the people) excited by the stirring events then transpiring. Buchanan was self-controlled enough to sec that he could not overstep lhe bounds imposed by the constitution. This course was the one which the people seemed to wish him to follow, and be- -V 1 J-. "x
