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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (June 12, 1889)
a mi THE HESPERIAN throw out n man. Tho cadets did not fall out as rapidly as is usually tho euso. They gradually dwindled in num ber however, and when the loadings and firings were given more mistakes woro made. Those who loft tho ranks wore unmercifully guyed by their fellows. At 1:45 but two men woro left, Sergt. Murslund and Private Ea ger. Rain began to fall, but the interest was too great for it to drive away tho crowd. They closed in until there was scarcely room for the judges. Tho two bravo soldiers went through the movements commanded. Twice, errors made by both simultaneously, prevented either being thrown out. At last Eager made an error which gave Marsland tho first place. In the afternoon occurred the artillery drills. Three detachments contested, "C," "A," and "11." Detach ment C under Communder Walter, with Corp'l. Tliurber as gunner, cnmo first. They gave a very smooth and skillful drill. They had the mostexiericncedcommnnder. Detachment A then went through tho schedule. Sergt. Peterson was commander and Corp'l. Nelson gunner. They were scarcely inferior in excellence to tho first de tachment. Detachment B, under Sergt. Almy, with Corp'l. Schell as gunner came last. Only one bad error was made, a limbor carried tho wrong way. Tho individual artillery drill was next in order. Two detachments wero formed of tho contestants. Ono de tachment began the schedule, the men changing places in rotation. As the men made errors and fell out, their numbers wero filled with men from tho second detach ment. At 4:40 but two men wero left, F. F. Almy and S. D. "Wheeler. Wheeler making an error, Almy took first plnee. On the arrival of Governor Thayer, who was to be stow tho prizes, a saluto of seventeen guns was fired by the artillery. The rain poured in torrents but tho vali ant soldier-boys stood at their posts and finished the saluto. On account of the rain, dress parade was given up, and all adjourned to tho armory. There was con siderable delay before tho awarding of prizes, but the time was pleasantly passed in soeinl converse, listening to muBic by tho bund and choice renditions of the college yell. At last the companies fell in on the two sides of the drill-hall, with tho bund ranged across thceud. Adjutant Stephens rend tho decision of the judges. In the infantry drill, company C received 7.00, company A, 7.70, com pany D, 7.64, company H, 5.25. In tho artillery cotn)c tition, detachment C was graded 7.87, detachment A, 7.02, detachment D, 7.40. The sword and belt for the captain of tho largest and best equipped company throughout tho year was awarded to Capt. Webber. The first prize, individual infantry drill, a lino gold medal, was awarded to Sergt. T. II. Marslaud ; tho second prize, a silver medal, to Private F. 1). Eager. Sergt. Almy was awarded the gold medal forbestdrillod cannoneer, Corp'l. S. D. "Wheeler, tho silver Becond prize medal. Governor Thnyer, accompanied by Adjutant General Cole, and Sergeant-Mujor Walter, bearing the prizo flags, then advanced toward tho four medal winners nnd tho two compnny representatives who were to receive tho flags. With brief, appropriate remarks, tho Governor bestowed tho medals, tho company flag, nnd tho artillery guidon. His Excellency then addressed the batiallion as a whole, expressing his interest in tho cadets and gratifica tion at thoir proficiency. With three cheers for tlie Gov ernor, the cadets broko ranks. Tho wholo affair reflects great credit on tho department and its head, Lieut. Grif fith. Tho judges expressed themselves as moro 'than pleased with tho skill and soldierly bearing of thocadets. DELIAN EXHIBITION. A very fair audience assembled Monday evening, Juno 10th, to hear the first attempt of tho new Delian society to give an exhibition. The appearance of tho stago had materially changed since tho last program. Green Cot tonwood boughs covered tho sides of the rostrum, palms and other plants flanked both sides of tho stage, smilax was twined around the lamp pedestals, aud a pyramid of plants formed the background. Tho program began with a literary production, an essay entitled, "A Hindrance to Progress," by H. P. Kerr. Dissatisfied with what ho possesses, man over reaches out for something higher and better; yet tho history of inventions shows one continual struggle against prejudice aud conservatism. With tho masses, love for the old is strong as desire for improvement. Only daring geniuses are willing to uphold popular inno vations, to endure the finger of ridicule. They have taught the world its errors. They conquered tho world, not to enthrone a man, whose dominion ends with death, but an idea, which is immortal. These inventors have moved the world and in the right direction. Wo of to day are too rtady to pass hasty criticism on original thinkers. Let us examine before we condemn. After in ventions have proved useful, years art' necessary before their adoption. Each man wishes the other to take tho initial step. Thus has tho world's progress been hin dered. Tho years of delay aro just so many years of hes itation before the next step forward. Hod men been h-es conservative, all the inventions of to-day would bo obso lete and far better ones would replace them. The hesita tion serves a purposoin preventing mistakes, but oftener the error is in the opposite direction. Each man may bo conservative or progressive. Selfishness chooses tho for mer, desire to serve others, tho latter. Man owes more to himself than to bo an imitator; more to tho world than to be self-supporting. Ho should aid humanity to advance. Mr. Kerr read distinctly and impressively. The program was continued by a vocal solo by Mine. Weber, with Miss Cochran at the piano. Mr. Mcuzendorf rendered a violin oblignto. Tho selection was "Dio Sproedo" AiloK Weber, aud was sweetly and artistic ally rendered. To an encore, a plaintive and feeling mel ody was sung. Alfred Pizey treated of "The Past and Present" in an oration which was delivered in a straightforward and forciblo manner. Some hesitation was the result of im perfect memorizing. Ho said in substanco: The anniversary of Washing ton's inauguration furnishes much that is worthy of thoughtful consideration. It marks thedivision between tno oui ano tlie new. Uur country's growth has been marvelous. Invention has mado all men neighbors. Bonds of lovo and homo-ties unite all sections. Peaco watches over un, but tho lessons of war must not be for gotten. The advent of profound pence is attended with dungor. "Tho treo of liberty must be relreshed from time to timo by tho blood of patriots and tyrants." There is a great chasm between tho thought at the be ginning and. afc the close of tho century. With slavery in