DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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made De Pauw University a possibility. We appreciate the interest which they manifest in its present welfare and the solicitude which they entertain for its future success; but we can see no reason for their desiring to intlict upon us customs and practices of half a century ago. ttWe live in an age of progress .' Iii tWe trust that this assertion will not startle themJ A university, in order to maintain its position, must keep step with the advance of civilized society. We rejoice that the tt Spirit of Old Asbury,H which we so often and so pathetically hear lamented in our halls, is no more, and that in the place of this departed specter exists the spirit of ttNew De Pauwf deriving its life, not from the howl 0f the wilderness, but from the Whistle of the steam-engine and the glare of the electric light, and adapted, not to the days of jeans pantaloons and cowhide boots, but to these times of modern retinement. 2. The MIRAGE is a hearty supporter of a strong class and college spirit in our university. We regard that student who sacriiices the reputation and success of his college for minor cousz'dcmiz'mzs as worthy of being ostracized from our midst. We deprecate the introduction and maintenance of any organ- ization calculated to injure the strong feeling of class and col- lege unity. We denounce the policy of the faculty in discour- aging enthusiastic manifestations of this spirit, which is an essential part of every true student, as injurious and unwise. We recommend to some of our misanthropic, isolated icicles that they cease sleeping on Liddell and Scott, and take to bed with them a red-hot brick oflife and enthusiasm. 3. The MIRAGE takes its customary position of reform, and hoists the banner of tt 89 and reform? Before the institution feceived its magnihcent endowment it was anti-poverty in its policy; now, like all other bloated bondholders, it is anti- progress. We advocate the abolition of all antiquated, time-

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platform of the mirage. x Before the powerful gods of Mount Meharry we bow our 15' ncovered heads in reverence and awe, realizing that, unless 'his act of homage be perfotmed, Whenever one of these ethe- heal creatures deigns to notice us, Mercury, clad in virgin robes, ill place opposite our names in the Great Book a record like :he thermometer in January. f: 5'5 The class of 189, at the close of its Junior year, submits to 'he students of De Pauw University its brief report of its admin- gtration. 3a . It found our beloved university on the verge of bankruptcy, vgnd placed it on a firm financial basis. It has added to our w ard of insgruction men of learning from all over this fair land. points with pride to its numerous and gallant achievementse Q l87, dismantled and disjointed, to Sophomore performance throned, and to heretics cremated. . Upon this record the class of l89 asks for the continued con- ence and support of the students, and respectfully submits r their approval the following: statement of the principles and rposes Which induce it to publish the MIRAGE, and which 11 continue to guide and inspire its efforts: ' I. We reiterate our admiration for and gratitude to those ble and heroic men Who by their zeal and perseverance XI

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nored customs-relics of days when Seniors studied the rule f three, 'and Freshmen brought their dinner to school in tin uckets. As chief of reforms needed, we call attention to the nday afternoon lecture. This source of intellectual and oral elevation, having so far degenerated in its character as ,lt'o be regarded as a nuisance and an imposition, should be abol- shed. We permit ourselves to be employed for experimental purposes six days in a week; and we beseech the venerable 'board of trusteesxthat their snail-like progress may soon reach :the abolition of this accursed custom. Another relic of the f Backwoods is the chapel speech. The spectacle of a trembling 'human being marching up the aisle, mounting the platform, Igl-making his bow, and then shooting oil , may have been deemed Han essential part of college life hfty years ago. It has, how- -'ever, been abolished by all hrst-Class institutions of learning. i A reform is needed in the attitude of certain persons tt in aulthor- ; -ity toward the students. The tt school-boy ii policy pursued -on certain occasions is an insult to ladies and gentlemen. and 'is demoralizing in its effect upon the body of students. , 4. On the minor questions of the day the MIRAGE takes a jposition consistent with its character. We are in favor of a high old tttear up whenever the boys feel like it. We advo- ecate free trade of papers on examination day. We demand a : restriction by law of Normalite immigration into the Junior 31' .seats, and unconstitutional prohibition of the chestnut trach. 5. We call attention to the tendency in our midst of those 5, . 'in authority to subvert one of the fundamental principles at the freedom of speech, and especially'the freedom of the ?ress. try VWe also look with apprehension upon the growth of anarchy 1 foundation of a republican form of government, namely, the y K3