DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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silenced and opinions and beliefs are pounded into the studentls mind with rod of iron, where original re- search unhonored and unknown, it is impossible to convey anything like a true impression of the whole affair. We demand a department of philosophy in which the student will be given an opportunity to come in contact with modern thought, in which truth shall be sought for its own sake, in which recognized leaders in the philosophical world of to-day shall not be passed with a sneer or a 1nere wave of the hand, but shall be carefully and critically studiedg in which discussion shall be full and free and investigation unfettered, a de- partment filled with life, energy and enthusiasm 5 a department worthy of the greatest of subjects in a great University. 4. The BIIRAGE demands in the administration of the aflairs of the University even-handecl justice. NVe denounce as unjust a policy by which one school is favored and pettcd and encouraged, while another is cut ofi' with a bare pittanee. This injustice is plainly apparent in the attitude of the Board of Trustees toward the theological and law schools. It is the more aggravating when the character of the faculties and students of the two departments is considered. That brain and genuine merit should go unrewarded while stupidity and mediocrity are patted upon the back, should be deplored by every true friend of the University. Under the able administration of Mr. Mason, if the trustees would do their duty, a School of Law can be built up second to none in the west. To this laudable end we urge appropriations for libraries, additions to the fac- ulty and increased facilities for study and practice. - ' 5. We demand out of regard for the reputation of the University that something more than a mere ff call to preach 'l be required of applicants for admission to the Theological School. That persons uneducated, even unfamiliar with the rudiments of good English, should he announced as students of the University and ad- mitted to all the rights and privileges of the institution, lowers its dignity and reflects upon the students of other departments. We advocate more thorough preparation and less call to preach. G. We denounce ring rule wherever and whenever it may show its head. We believe there exists in the faculty of DePauw a clique which, disregarding the rights of other members, is banded together for the promotion of mutual interests. By mutual compliment and eommendation they endeavor to further their standing with the students. By holding out the hope 0f111C1llbC1'Sl1ip in an honorary society, they design to secure reverence and worship. We can assure them that no better method can be pursued to bring them- selves into unpopularity and disrepute. 7. We heartily favor the development of the athletic spirit in the University, and congratulate the stu- dents that the association has been put upon a higher plane and upon a solid and substantial basis. S. We rejoice in the revival ofthe old oratorieal spirit, and advocate tl1e cultivation of the art of public speaking as one of the most valuable accomplishments of the man of affairs. We recommend that by con- ducting contests among underclassmen the Oratorieal Association give an opportunity for that drill and practice now wanting in preparation for the final struggle. g 9. We believe that better results would be had in the field of college journalism if the efforts of the students were united on a single paper. We advocate the reorganization of our literary association, looking to a con- solidation of interests, the introduction of the merit system in making appointments on the editorial staff, U31

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of philosophy has been won against decree of Pope and Priest and Bishop. That University which is the slave of a creed, the servile tool of a religious theory, is hampered and restrained. Original investigation is discouraged for fear some sacred tenet of the church may be exploded. reason is crushed out because some superstitious proposition in ritual or discipline may be disprovcd. Education should not be limited by tra- ditions of the past, but should itself remodel religion until man's faith agrees with his reason and common sense. The school should not be subservient to thc church, but should infuse new life into antiquated the- ology. Men in the faculty should be free and willing to express their honest convictions, the truth should be to them no less the truth because it may perchance strike at some pet doetrince or so-called miracle. Adhering to the fundamental principles of true morality and human brotherhood, we advocate as necessary to the success of our University greater liberalty of thought, broader views on matters of theology, less regard for church and sect and creed, and more concern for the everlasting truth which exists regardless of religions, creeds or dogmas framed in the midnight of human history to enslave thought and hamper civilization. 2.. The Board of Trustees constitute the original source of power in university government. The policy of the University is in a great measure determined by the character of the men who sit upon this supreme board of control. If the university is to be progressive, liberal, abreast of the times, the Board of Trustees must be composed of broad-minded, brainy,clea1'-thinking men. Every wrong in our university govern- ment, every fraud in the faculty retained, every pretense protected and protracted can be traced directly to little-minded incompetent men on the Board of Trustees. That bigoted circuit riders, who know nothing whatever about the purposes of the modern University, should assume to lay down laws for the government of a great institution of learning is a burlesque upon intelligence and a mockery on education. To make everything conform to a standard which modern thought has repudiated and which the educated world de- 1'ides, is to destroy in a great measure the influence ofthe University and to bring it into disrepute and contempt in the educated world. 'As the most important reform demanded to-day we .advocate the re-organization of the Board of Trustees on a sensible basis, the abolition of that clerical nuisance, the Board of Visitors, a diminution in the number of members, a fair and equitable distribution of the memberships among all the professional lines of business, putting an end to blind illiberal ministerial domination, the election to places upon the board, of men renowned for their ability and distinguished for the positions they hold in the ad- vanced thought of the times. Above everything else we denounce a policy by which a large body of alumni, men and women, many of whom occupy prominent positions in the world of affairs, are ostracized and cut off from all participation in the management of university affairs, that clerical control may be the more com- plete, and we advocate that not less than one-third of the Board be composed of representatives elected by the alunmi. 3. No department of the University is of greater importance than the one of philosophy. The study of the great problems of thought ailects the true student more than all other branches of study combined. The students of the University have for a number of years endured a huge farce under the name of philosophy. Thought dares not assert itself, reason is set aside and modern theories and systems are wholly disregarded or given at best but a casual glance, while the exploded ideas of the middle ages are held up as sacred and au- thentic. To one who has never experienced the dull, listless atmosphere of a class noon, where discussion is E121

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now so successfully practiced in our best colleges, and the establishment of a board of managers similar to the athletic association, with the exception of faculty interference. . 10. The Sunday lecture still exists, 'tstale flat and unprofitable as it is. Amid sneers and jeers, thanks to a fossilized Board of Trustees, it stillilives and moves and has a sort of being-a lingering relic of barbarism. We demand that if it is to be continued professors as well as students be compelled to attend. 11. There are other departments besides the Music Scheolf' The perpetual racket and banging in Meharry Hall as well as in Downey Hall have become a public nuisance-a gigantic bore. We demand their immediate and absolute cessation. ' A 12. Students are not children, but men and women. The attempts of the faculty to exercise paternal power are a weariness to the flesh and a great vexation of the spirit. lVe stand upon the broad principles of the Rule of Reason, the right of honest thought and of independent action. Pledged to these principles before a body of brainy, wide-awake, thinking students we anticipate no other outcome of the contest in which we are engaged but complete and glorious victory. l l14l w.es:1ess??? Kffassfeff