THE HESPERIAN.
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tion will produce upon the citizens of Lincoln and '
the state with regard to the University. Heretofore
our students have borne a good reputation among the
people of Lincoln, By the constant repetition of
acts, even no worse than those already committed, a
different sentiment will be created and all students
will be looked upon with suspicion even the name
will be applied as a term of reproach. Let us have
'fun" but let us be very careful as to its quality and
keep it within the bounds of morality and decency.
The election, as usual, attracted considerable from
our students. If we consider that our graduates will
probably, in the future, fill many of the prominent
offices of this and other states, we must approve of
their gaining some experience in the field of politics
before leaving the University. Their education
would not be complete without it and it is just as well
that they learn the art at the same time they do the col
lege brandies. But the tendency naturally is to learn
all that there is of present politics the corruption as
well as the legitimate workings. We know that pur
ity in the operations of office-seekers and office
givers is rare, or at least that it is difficult to separate
the good from the bad. We should like to see our stu
dent politicians enter the arena with eyes open and
keen to detect each trace of wrong. Instead of
learning to look upon the present evils as necessary,
they should resolve to use their influence to purify all
that can be purified and under no circumstances to
lend themselves to dishonest practices. If all those
who go from the halls of the U. of N. to mingle in
the contentions of parties would go with this deter
mination, an ever-growing influence for the right
would be exerted on the political world, which
would, in time, help very materially to make the
name of "politician" an honorable instead of a con
temptuous epithet.
Millions of people have thought, argued and joked
about the seven condemned anarchists during the
past week. Once more we are reminded that the
speediest way of becoming universally known is not
to live a good, useful life but to commit some start
ling crime and be tried for the offense. A man
who b his good acts benefits hundreds of his fellows
will remain in obscurity while a bold criminal by one
evil deed puts his name in the mouth of every
schoolboy. This comes, in our opinion, from a de
praved public sentiment. We would not like to as
sert that the fair ladies and cultured gentlemen who
so eagerly scan the criminal columns of our newspa
pers have latent criminal instincts which are attracted
by the recital of other's crimes; but it certainly is
true that the more bloody the deed and the more de
tailed the account, the moi2 interest it excites. Our
newspapers, we are sorry to say, minister largely to
this morbid appetite. Too often the chapter of mur
ders', suicides and horrors of all kinds seems to tran
scend all other kinds of news. The press is not en
tirely to blame, however. If there was not a ready
market for such wares they would not bp offered.
We should like to see the American public take more
interest in the advancement of religion, ocience and
pure politics and less in criminals and their atrocities.
But the realization of this wish we do not expect
much before the millennium.
.
LITERARY.
To the university library Count Tolstoi's "Scbastapol" has
recently been added. It consists of a scries of closely con
nected sketches of life and thought in the besieged city up to
the time of its abandonment. Works of this character will
do much to bring about the grand time we all hope for, when
war shall cease for ever. In ' Sebastopol" we are shown not
only the cheap halo of brilliant uniforms and well formed col
umns. We see also the reality of suffering and death, and
hear the lamcntings of widows and friends. Nor is the true
glory concealed, the glory which lies, not in the decorations
and newspaper praises, but in the spirit of honor in the
hearts of all, commanders and privates, that stern conscious
ness of individual responsibility and necessary devotion to
duty.
But vc must not attempt to sketch the work, for Tolstoi
alone can tell Tolstoi's story, nor to repeat the lessons he
would teach, for his ideas have double force in the way he
tells them. We can only say, your time will be well spent
while reading "Sebastopol. "
Wc have heard the decadence of The Century frequently
remarked of late, and we agreed with the decision. The
November number, however, seems fully prepared to meet
and silence all such accusations. We sincerely hope :t may
continue to improve. The American people arc certainly
able and willing to keep up one magazine, at least, which
will contain nothing but articles of the first merit, and among
all our millions oi educated citizens it is strange if a sufficient
number of talented writers cannot be found to enable Amer
ican magazine editors to be careful in making their selections.
Wc can find no excuse for such negligence as has been shown
in admitting some of the articles that have recently been pub
lished in magazines which we were wont to consider trust
worthy. In the number under consideration we were particularly
pleased with Mr. George Kennan's paper on "The Last Ap
peal of the Russian Liberals." It is well calculated to throw
light on the generally misunderstood subject of the so-called
Nihilistic" movement in Russia. The aim of the paper is
neither to discuss the subject nor to give the author's views
in relation to it, but to furnish information. Mr. Kennan
has spent two years in Russia, and has made the intimate
personal acquaintance of more than five hundred members of
this Russian protesting party," many of whom are now Si
berian exiles. A plain and clear statement of facts from
such a source is certainly of the highest value.
Edward Eggleston begins" a serial that gives promise of be
ing his best work. Wc will not attempt a reply to the state
ment that there is a striking similarity between his plots, for
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