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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1890)
THE II EST EH I AN. IB. have even heard it called an advantage. Open societies such as exist at this institution, nrc essentially democratic. No where have two such opposite social forces been brought together without conflict, ond we need not expect to coexist peaceably here. What is there then in the nature of a col lege secret society that is out of harmony with present Ideals? Like every kind of aristocracy it is essentially selfish. It docs not hold up the banner of great and generous-hearted feeling for others. A student is thrown most into the society of those with whom he connects himself in organization. If he limits himself to a span dozen whom he conceives to be the best, he may perhaps hope to be benefitted himself. But the association of that dozen is narrowed to themselves. If, indeed, they arc the best, is it not the fairest and most unselfish for them to enlarge the circle of association, in order that whatever is best and noblest in the man may touch and influence the largest number? A narrow association even of the best persons docs not allow the largest room for growth. The widest association , the broadest companionship aflords the best opportunity for growth of character. "But," it may be answered "broad association is not deep; it is most often superficial." Association is, indeed, too often only surface deep. But this is the fault of the individual, not of his possi bilities. It spring from a lack o( candor and sincerity, and sincerity, and the one who cannnot speak from the heart may expect only superficial acquaintances. Society cannot profit from such a person. Only sincerity reaches down and probes the heart of a friend for its hidden pearls. But it is not difficult to find the best there is in social friends, for the best side is usually out. Open literary societies are democratic in character; frater nities are aristocratic. And these two principles have ever been at war. Why should one triumph more than another? Are there not aristocracies of every description in modem society? Is there not a moneyed aristocracy? A political aristocracy? A color aristocracy? A theoretical blooded aristocracy? What relation docs this idea bear to other principles? When the nineteenth and sixteenth centuries aic compared, great changes arc seen to have taken place in class relations. There is no longer such a wide difference be tween nobility and commons. The theory of blue-blooded class lineage has disappeared. The time of class supremacy has passed. Formerly power might come by birth. Now equality is a great truth. The aristocratic element is not now aggressive. It is today the departing clement of a mistaken principle, a mere relic of a by-gone time, witnessing even now its former pomp and power, presaging in its dejline the coming burial of class privilege. Therefore, I arraign all secret and exclusive organizations before the bar of reason to the charge of aristocracy. In the old order of things when the few ruled the many, this did not seem so strangely' out of harmony with recognized codes of social law. But in an age when the 1 ight of the few has been subverted; when the equality of all is recognized with out regard to race, color, wealth, or blood; when a man's worth is reckoned in terms of character, not of badge or repu tation; -in short when democracy has displaced aristocracy. College fraternities are curriously athwart the genius of the time. Jay A. Barkett, '88. STXAY 1ICK-UPS, L. G. Chcvront, 1221 O street; oysters and lunch, can dies, cigars, tobacco, etc. Give him a call. "We build pants for gentlemen only" at Browning, King & Co's agency, 118 north Tenth street. Overcoats dirt cheap. TcfTt. "Mr. President, I withclinc." Chairman. "I know the noes have it," II. S. Ganson recently visited the University. Dr. Lccse was In Grand bland, January 31st. 83. D. II. Wheeler was in the city January 21. Wcslcyan students arc enthusiastic over base ball. Mr. Clarence Teft visited his parents at Avoca Sunday. Mr. John Current formerly of '91 wax in Lincoln last week. Prof. Kingslcy delivered a lecture In Table Rock Tuesday evening. Bcccher Cornell, alter two weeks, sickness is attending clatter. Mitt Wilson from Frccport, 111., if a student of the Uni versity. January 25, 1890, was the first anivcrsary of the Dclian society. Several students enjoyed Bishop Skinner's 15c feed Tues day evening. It is rumored that Barkley and the Unions sometimes get into trouble, '89. G. II. Baughman occasionally stays around these classic hails. How the gi'ip was not grief "I am sick; you are sick; we won't go to class." C. R. Wcldon, while playing foot ball Friday, met with a very painful accident. "How long was the Thirty Year's War?" Hall. "Ten years." Ask him why. Prof. McMillan on acco ant of sickness did not meet his classes week'beforc last. F. II. Noble, formerly of '92, is attending Washington State University, Seattle. We understand that the P. G. D. C. will give a special program in the near future. General satisfaction seems to exist concerning the location of the University post-office. Percy Walters has been confined to his home for the last three weeks with la grippe. Miss Lyons was obliged to discontinue her studies for a few days on account of La Grippe. Mrs. Babxon, formerly Miss Glen Talbot, paid a short visit to the University last week. Lincoln will soon be a university town. The latest addi tion is the Advcntist university. G. L. Sheldon spent Sunday with his parents in Nehawka. Ask him if he went sleigh riding. Christian University students were not diffident in giving their yell on their visit to Lincoln. The pipe that was in a pendulous position upon the pla card is said to have been purloined. The Latin singing-school holds its rehearsals in the west end of the hall every morning at 8:20. W. E. Johnson, a former student and real estate agent ot this city, will start for Mexico in a few days. Maghcc will return to school next fall, and complete his course. At present he is working at the Tremont hotel. 4? fit
