Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

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4 RAYELINOS. This was her second appearance be- THE PROVINCE OF THE AGITATOR, fore a Monmouth audience, and her re- w. E. carson. appearance but served to deepen the Napoleon once said, I fear three good impression made upon the music newspapers more than a hundred loving- citizens of Monmouth. Mr. thousand bayonets. History confirms D ' Almaine is a violinist of undoubted the great Corsicau ' s judgment, merit. The beauty of his selections Changed governments, fallen dynas- and his skill in their execution de- ties, and awful revolutions have pro- lighted the audience who recalled him claimed the all-prevailing ' power of after each piece. Mr. Weber is a mas- public opinion as the arbiter of na- ter of the piano. His rendering of tional destiny. To public opinion Mendelssohn ' s ' -Rondo Capriceirso, must king and statesman bow. It is and his work as an accompanist g-ave the court of last appeal, the ultimate great satisfaction. The program source of national life and activity, throughout was of a high order and Constitutional monarchies obey its dic- the ensemble free from that stereo- tates; the throne of the czars trembles typed form which we usually hear. at its power; and where the press is £ free and public halls protect debate, it When puzzled over the intricacies of is omnipotent. All true reform must some mathematical problem, or therefore rest upon a change in the struggling with the construction of opinion of the masses. Let this fact some difficult sentence in Latin or be ignored, and all results will be but Greek; when for any reason we are dis- transient. Public opinion disregarded couraged in our pursuit of knowledge, changes the affairs of states, and there is encouragement and inspira- hurls the despot from the throne of tion in the following passage from power. Sidney Smith: If any young man Though this power be recognized, has embarked his life in the pursuit of yet clearly the masses may be wrong, knowledge, let him go on, never Popularity is no test of truth. The doubting or fearing the event. Let sublimest truths ever uttered met him not be intimidated by the cheer- with opposition and the fierce resis- less beginnings of knowledge, by the tanee of the multitude. Witness the darkness from which she springs, by cry of Crucify Him! Crucify Him! the difficulties which hover around which echoed round the Roman judg- her, by the wretched habitations in ment hall. Ignorance and prejudice which she dwells, by the want and may cause an unjust verdict to be ren- sorrow that sometimes journey in her dered. Let public sentiment lie dor- train; but let him ever follow her as mant; let it drift where pleasing fancy the angel which guards him and as leads the way; or let its guides be the genius of his life. She will bring prejudice and passion, and the verdict him out at last, and exhibit him to the will be wrong. The people may at light of day comprehensive in acquire- times be wrong; but there is a divine ments, fertile in resources, rich in im- possibility wrapped up in human na- agination, strong in reasoning, pru- ture. To awaken this possibility into dent and powerful above his fellows new life is the province of the agitator, in all the offices and in all the rela- The public conscience, quickened and tions of life. aroused by the sacred voice of truth.

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HAVE LINGS. 3 IN these latter days when truth is so ■T he falL term of college has almost earnestly, soug-ht, and yet so assidu- A passed away. Two more weeks cmsly assailed, great opportunities are usher in the examinations and the work afforded the inquiring mind for inves- of the term will be at an end. To the ligation. There is no privilege ae- Senior it will never come again. He is eorded to us so free from encroach- passing this part of life ' s highway for ment as the right to think and decide the last time. Whatever his feelings for ourselves. But this same freedom as he looks backward, whether of sat- of decision urges upon us the necessity isfaetion at the thought of work well of exercising great care lest we be done, or of regret for neglected oppor- found giving credence to what is false, tunities. the record is what he has To those who have not yet attai ned to made it. To the Junior there is yet a the methods of discrimination, error, year in which to benefit by careful re- yea even deception incarnate — if you flection on the mistakes of the pres- please — may come in such fair and in- ent. Sophomore and Freshman have sidious forms that it will be received found it a term of hard work; but if it almost without question. We have to- has been well done they will be day in the best society — and reluctant- stronger for the work of next term ly I say relig ' ious organizations are not and the struggles of the past will soon exempt — a would-be man, though bet- be forgotten in the enjoyment of a ter nomenclatured a hybrid. Why hy- well-earned vacation. The Preps have brid? Because nominally he is a for the first time been initiated into christian, in reality he is a poltroon, the mysteries of Latin, and a week or He comes to you as a wolf in sheep ' s two more will show how many can say clothing, ' and while in conversation with Caesar, Veni, vidi, vici. It has in- will artfully and strategetically lead deed been a pleasant term. Nothing you to drop a remark about a friend, has occurred to mar the pleasant rela- tor one whom you may have just met), tions of faculty and students, and the and then bidding you adieu he goes whole term has been conspicuous by post haste to your friend, and with the absence of those deeds of violence distorted facts and perverted truth he and vandalism which are so often the lays before him an infamous fabriea- disgrace of similar institutions, tion, citing you as the author. This monster lives in every community and ' Fhe opening entertainment of the while at large and unfettered, society A lecture course, Nov. 20th, was every is in danger. His diabolism is a men- sense a success. The large audience ace to Christ-like fellowship. The which greeted the Marie Decca Con- millenium will never dawn upon the cert Company listened to a rare musi- church until this monster is eradicated cal treat. Each member of the com- fvom the confines of religious domina- pany is an artist, and their coming tion. We may be deceived for a while fully justified the claims of the lecture by this would-be man, but truth will committee in their announcement, eventually come to light. His decep- Marie Decca has a voice of great rich- tion will not always deceive, and ness and beauty, which she uses with when once discovered let us concerted- wonderful effect. Mrs. Murray ' s selec- ly bring the culprit to justice, and jus- tions were rendered in a very pleasing tics will be ostracism. manner, and all were well received.

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BAVELINGS. 5 will choose aright. This fact is the truth and point it out to others. Up- keystone of republican institutions, on his shoulders rests the mantle of Tis thus responsibility will educate the ancient prophet. Pew may come the lowest into self-control, and self- to his exact position, but his influence control is the basis of popular govern- is felt on every hand. He lives in ad- ment. vance of his age. He stands as on a Since existing conditions are not al- mountain top beckoning men upward ways the best, what will produce the to his position. While few may gain change? Shall we look to political the lofty summit, the mountain sides parties alone? They do not create and will finally be covered, form, they represent public opinion The pages of modern history are ready for action. Shall we look to the bright with the names of successful partisan press? It can only drift upon agitators. A century ago the Irish the crested wave of public opinion, people lay prostrate beneath the iron Shall it be produced by quiet waiting heel of English lords. Every attempt or compromising with existing- evils? to rise was met with laws more rigor- As well expect the gentle evening ous and severe. O ' Connell came upon zephyrs to uproot the mighty oak as the scene. He moulded together the that mild words and compromising elements of power. Out of chaotic measures will effect reform. Conces- conditions he brought united action, sion and compromise never produce a He made the pulse of Irish patriotism change in opinion. Their sphere is thrill with new life and hope. By found in matters of expediency alone, moral agitation he created a public Moral agitation is the fundamental sentiment which changed his country ' s power which forms and moulds public destiny: and as the years pass by, the opinion. It will lead to a knowledge agitator ' s power is felt on every hand of the truth: a knowledge of the truth until a Gladstone pleads the cause of produces a change; this change in Ireland in the English Parliament, opinion means reform. The effect, Draw aside the veil which conceals though gradual, is like the stream, the history of the abolition movement springing from the mountain side, de- in our own land. Just before its scending from rock to rock, re-en- dawn, men viewed slavery as a part of forced by other streams, growing, picturesque Virginia life. With few broadening. deepening into the exceptions the pulpit was silent. The mighty river, until at length it sweeps press was quiet. No whisper of the onward with irresistible power, bear- wrongs of slavery stirred the deep ing the ocean fleets upon its bosom, tranquility of the political sea. There is, too, the ever-increasing ten- Lulled to lethargic repose by the hum dency to bury the finer sensibilities of cotton gin and factory, public senti- beneath material interests. Agitation ment lay dormant. But a change was is the preserving power of the Repub- at hand. The voice of Garrison, in- lic. It is the pulse-beat of liberty. It stinct with a living principle, awoke is life and health. Stagnation is de- the sleeping land. He proclaimed in cay. Agitation produces thought tones of thunder the duty of immedi- along new lines. It concentrates the ate emancipation. What! Emanci- public mind upon great themes. The pate the slaves! Turn them loose to mission of the agitator is to see the ravage and destroy the masters who