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Thus far, we have debated only the
latter; we leave it to our readers to
decide whether or not we have clear
ed Secret Societies from the charge
of causing factions ; and we are wil
ling now to enter upon the other field,
and examine whether secret societies
ought to exist in College.
It is but just that we should eor
rect one mis-statement advanced, no
doubt unintentionally, by our friend
—who is writing against us. He
says, “ In College elections, the secret
society party has generally triumph
ed by its numerical superiority. How,
in the Demosthonian Society, of its
75 members, only 33 belong to secret
societies. Hence, when a gentleman
belonging to the S. A. E. Club, was
recently elected Commencement Or
ator, it could not have been done by
numerical majority. We have count
ed the Phi Kappa roll, and find that
the members of secret societies in the
a ££ re g ate > ar e fewer than those who
arc* hot members. Surely then, the
five orators (secret society men) who
have been chosen this term by the
Phi Kappa Society, did not obtain
their elections because of numerical
superiority. They must have had
some merit to recommend them to
their Phi Kappa brothers.
The antagonist of secret societies
admits that their object is literary,
and yet in the same breath, speaks
ot them as resorting to the veil of
secrecy to confer honors upon those
who may deserve them. He either
ought not to have made the former
admission, or the latter accusation.
They are irreconcilable. All the
facts in the case demanded the con
cession ; and as for the charge—we
solemnly affirm, anl we desire our
friend to believe it—for we will be
lieve anything upon which he stakes
his honor—we affirm that the secret
society to whieh we belong has not
the remotest connexion with seeking to
O
confer on its members the distinctions
of the Literary Societies. And tfe
think the same is true of the others.
And again, our friend declares that
membership in a Club creates unna
tural friendships. We judge that he
means close friendships, for no doubt
the brother members of the same
society are bound together by a bond
of affection. Now, if our friend ar
gues against friendship, we refer him
to Cicero de Amicitia, and hope that
his prejudice against this noble sen
tiraent may be removed.
Thus far we have sought to show
that certain objections against secret
societies are invalid. Wo have yet
in reserve, the montion of many abso
lute advantages of these organizations.
We defer entering upon these; we
know that the editors like brief.artia
cles, and that they will expect him
who answers this, to be as brief as
S. S.
THE GEORGIA COLLEGIAN.
Duty of the Students.
The subject which heads this brief
article, is one that is harped upon by
a great many; and is, doubtless, one
for which students entertain such a
perfect antipathy, that I scarcely
need expect more of this piece to be
read than the mere heading.
I do not propose to go into detail,
or speak at length on the subject of
duty in general, and point out what
course is proper for all students ; nor
do I propose to look after the stu
dents of other institutions, for all of
which, I would not presume to think
myself competent. But I wish sim
ply to call the attention of the stu
dents of our own University, to one
particular branch of their duty, in
which a fearfully large number is
sadly derelict. It is, that .they don’t
do what they ought and what they
can for their paper—their own Geor
gia Collegian.
Now, there are about one hundred
and eighty-five registered students in
the University, and all in attendance
on the exercises. Out of this num*>
her, forty-five have subscribed for the
Collegian. It was expected, when
the students unanimously conceived
the glorious idea of publishing a Col
lege paper, that every student would
aid the enterprise, by subscribing for
it immediately after its appearance
as a real thing. But they did not do
what they were expected to do; a
few failed—only one hundred and
forty! The queslion forces itself
upon us, why is this unaccountable
delinquency ? Why do the students
neglect so important a part of their
duty ? Why are they weighed in
the balance and found wanting in
the discharge of a duty —for duty it
unquestionably is—which is of equal
importance with any College duty?
When the question is actually put,
you meet with such answers as these:
“ I can’t spare the money.” “My
room mate takes it, and that is
enough for both of us.”, “ I haven’t
time to read it, and can’t afford to
pay for things which I have not time
to enjoy.”
These are facts, for I have put the
questions, and have received these
answers. These excuses are not suL
ficient to justify such a palpable fail
ure in the performance of duty, and
such ought not to be considered as
sufficiently valid to exculpate the de
linquent student from the just cen
sure that must fall upon his head. —
Thero may be some extreme cases
where the student has barely money
enough to defray the necessary ex*>
penses of his College course; But
these, I apprehend, are very few in
number. If there are any such cases
now in the University—which is very
doubtful—they certainly are excusa
ble. But the majority of those who
offer this excuso, are not absolutely
too poor to take the Collegian, and 1
think they will acknowledge it, when
they consider how they spend all
their, money. There is scarcely a
student here, but what, at some time,
can rake up greenbacks enough to
take a buggy-ride, either with some
friend, or his-, sweet-heart. It costs
exactly two dollars and a half to take
an afternoon ride—just enough to
pay his subscription for one year;
and I honestly believe that there is
not a young lady in town but what
would say to the young man who
came to take her to ride, if sho knew
ho didn’t take the Collegian , “ Don’t
spend your money to give me a ride,
but go spend it for your paper, and
we will walk.” ,
Let another, who spends money
for cigars, at ten to twenty cents
apiece, take up his pipe, if he must
smoke, and he will soon save money
enough tc take the paper, for six
months at least. Ice cream time will
soon be here, and then there will he
a great deal of treating and eating.
Suppose a third man denies himself
this luxury till he can save money
enough for a good purpose ; I’m sure
Mr. Flisch would commend such an
one for it. Another says his room*,
mate takos it. But that does not ex
cuse him. Let him take it, and if he
and his room-mate insist on reading
the same paper, let him send it to his
family or friend, or some one who
can appreciate its merit more than
he can. Those who refuse to take it
because they haven’t time to read it,
generally find time to read novels
and light trash, not half as valuable
as the Collegian ; they find time to
loaf and do a great many other use
less things. Not a single studentcan
give a plausible reason for refusing
to subscribe for the Georgia Collegian.
If then, the students slight their
own paper by refusing to contribute
to it, can they expect those who are
not connected with the University in
any way, to interest themselves in
it? It certainly is the bounden du
ty of every student to subscribe for
at least one copy. I know a young
man who notonly takes it for himself,
but sends another to his lady love,
and I don’t think he has money to
throw away either. There may be
one or two more of the same kind,
but these are isolated cases.
I repeat that it is every College
boy’s duty to take his own paper;
and surely no one will hold the stu
dent of this University guiltless who
openly and wilfully fails to discharge
the’ duty imposed upon him by his
own enterprise. Then let every one
subscribe for the Collegian , for one
year, or for six months, or for at
least 'months. Student.
...Laws are made, customs grow—
laws have to be executed, customs
execute themselves laws begin
where customs end.
A Poem of Seventy Years Ago.
[The following is an extract from
an oration delivered at the Com
mencement of 1801, by Judge A. S.
Clayton. The reader will bear in
mind that at this time, the country
in which our University is situated,
was the scene of contests between
the Indians and whites.]
This balmy place, on which the savage
ran,
Contains man friendly to his fellow-man.
A place where youth, where innocence
and age
Fell bleeding victims to relentless rage,
Affords a sacred shelter, free from harm,
Where drooping care may all its fears
disarm.
The sun of knowledge, through our hap
py laud,
Will hence his vivifying beams expand ;
A gilded throne to wisdom shall he rear
ed,
And all the art of useful learning cheer’d.
There growing reason shall attest her
sway,
And mount refulgent as the new-born
day;
On us her laws, her precepts will impose
On us no labor, hut a sweet repose.
Delightful task! the tender thought
to rear—
To teach our flexile minds no ills to fear.
Our youthful minds with ‘ fresh instruc
tion’ fill,
To bear with resignation nature’s will.
Here the fond parents shall conduct their
child
To reap from study, all the virtues mild ;
No disaffection shall they e’er repine,
But find a comfort in their life’s decline.
Here too, our country this great truth
will prove,
Conducive wisdom causes freedom’slove;
Her sons from hence will honor’s paths
pursue,
And pay to virtue tributes justly due.
With pure designs their country’s glories
make,
And pledge their liyes and honors for its
sake;
With scorn the mercenary world regard,
Where sordid minds do,good and hope
reward.
Through the thick shades of future time
I see
Great destiny’s immutable decree ;
I see immortal statesmen here arise,
And for their country generous laws de
vise;
Givq,grateful peoce to all their fellow
men—
Nor of injustice shall they e’er complain.
The following crimes and offences
may be committed with impunity,
and without fear of consequences :
Killing time. Picking your
steps. Beating—carpets. Murder
ing—an air. Stealing—a kiss. Cut
ting —jokes. Smothering—the feel
ings. Shooting—Niagara, and set
ting the Thames on fire. Poaching
—eggs. ‘ Breaking into —a gallop.
Striking a balance. Trespassing—
on the attention. Forging—anchors.
Hoe Your Own Row,
A good many workers
I’ve known in my time—
Some builders of houses,
Some builders of rhyme;
And they that were prospered
Were prospered, I know,
By the intent and meaning
Os “ hoe your own row.”
...To get wrong things out of your
child’s head—comb it often.
...To find the square root of a bog’s
nose turn him into a garden patch.
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