a
THE HESPERIAN.
classical society is ever going to accomplish any
thing it must have a room set apart for its exclusive
use. If the desired-for-room were obtained there
could be some hope that a little enthusiasm might be
aroused in the classical department. Books might
be purchased and the society would have a place to
keep them. There is also a literary society that is in
need ot a hall. We do not intend to say anything
about a gymnasium for already that has been harped
upon considerably and to no purpose. Now we do
not find fault with the scientific department, but we
do hope that some other departments may receive a
little attention.
PE admire class spirit when it shows itself in the
proper manner. Usually class spirit in this
university has been only a temporary craze, suddenly
breaking out and then quickly passing away. This
class spirit has appeared among us in different forms,
but it must be admitted that the Sophomores, by es
tablishing a class paper, have hit upon the most
original and desirable plan for exhibiting loyalty to
their class. When the Sophomorian first appeared
we did not know but that time and hard work would
be too much for class spirit, but in this we are mis
taken, for the sheet still seems to flourish and is
surely improving, although it has by no means
arrived at perfection. It must be encouraging to the
editors of the Sophomorian to find that the city
papers have clipped some of their articles. We wish
our friends success.
-INCE the new board of editors assume control
of The Hesperian with the present number, it
may oe ot interest to some ot our mends, who were
not pleased with the stand taken by the former board
upon the fraternity question, to know our position
on this all important matter. Doubtless most of the
students in this institution know in what light we
regard the Greek letter societies; but in order that
there may be no misunderstanding in the matter we
wish to announce to all that we shall follow as nearly
as possible the course so ably pursued by our prede
ccsssors. We believe in the principle of barbarianism
as opposed to fraternities; of the open society as
opposed to the secret society; of a rule of democracy
as opposed to that of plutocracy and snobocracy; of
the universal brotherhood of man as opposed to the
brotherhood of any small clique or faction. We
have seen with pleasure the healthy and vigorous
growth of barbarianism in this University during the
last term and while we admit that the literary
societies are not all following an ideal course yet
they are all prosperous. The fraternities are losing
ground and have been ever since the beginning of
the school year. It might be a little premature to
predict the early demise of any of the fraternities, but
even if it be admitted, for the sake of argument,
that tl.ey are all upon a firm foundation, yet they no
longer threaten the very existence of the open socie
ties. We have passed through a trying ordeal and
are now more powerful than ever before. We shall
continue from time to time to express our views upon
Greek letter societies, to point out certain things in
their system of which we do not approve.
URING the year there has been a noticeable lack
of interest in the local oratorical association.
The fact that there will be held in this city both the
state and the inter-state contests has failed to arouse
anything like a proper feeling of enthusiasm. If we
are content to drag along in this listless fashion we
must not complain if we are again defeated. It was
only after seveial failures that we were able to get
together a quorum of the association. Each of the
literary societies is entitled to two representatives, but
strange to say will have only one, while the fraterni
ties have no desire for oratorical greatness. How
ever indifferent we have been in the past we must
not fail to give our representative the strongest sup
port in the coming state contest, nor must we fail to
give the representatives of the various states who will
soon be her guests, a hearty welcome. Since the
inter-state contest is to be held under the auspices of
this University it behooves every student to do his
full share in according the visitors a cordial greeting.
m
E publish in another column an article on the
relations of students to societies, written by a
graduate of this University. It will certainly be of
interest to all our students; and anyone who has not
yet taken a stand upon society politics should care
fully consider the arguments brought forward against
the fraternities. But in treating this matter the
author has conceded to the fraternities that they do
a certain amount of literary work. Now we do not
know whether or not the secret societies make
any such pretentions, but if they do, we are still
inclined to doubt it. One thing at least the fraterni
ties must admit, that their efforts to maintain a liter
ary society his ended in failure. If each fraternity
is so anxious to do better work than any other, if
each fraternity is so desirous, as they would have us
believe, of appearing better than any other, why is it
that the scheme adopted last year, by the now de
ceased Philodicean society, was abandoned? This
scheme was, as many of our readers know, for each
fraternity in turn to take charge of the program.
Speaking about literary work in the fraternity meet
ings reminds us of an article we read in one of the