Ohio Wesleyan University - Le Bijou Yearbook (Delaware, OH)

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xl f ,M 1 - po- '. A-' 1.3 V '-Hr.: . ' '. mf Q I T-.: ' ' .A..'. '-mg. JL..:Lt'.. ':- nz.. I , luuil :-.lii 'L Cosuan. Elnsnmzv. Wmrmav. Cnmvxfman. KE0l'PI,lC. Mmvrz. CHERINGTON. Jmms, MGR. PAINE. Wnrrxc. Knmla. BIURLIN. lhuzsows, CAPT. Cnfuuc.

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wfficers. 1Jl'6'.S'Zl7l6lZl . . . ..... . . W. A1JEl.m+3R'1' JONES. Vzkc-Preszkiffzzl ..... . MAIQY MURRAY. Secretary and fhiVl0l'IrI1Z , . . . VVILLYS E. THOMAS. Trea.mre1f .... ' . . . FRED C. MERRTCK. Seljgvafzl-al-Arms . . . JOHN M. CRATTY. Glass of '97. fue'-1:-'jfs EFORE handing downto posterity a history of the class of '97, it will not be inappropriate, -1-.fs wif- - , perhaps, to offer a few remarks on class histories in general. Class histories are generally egregiously misleading. The historian in his mighty efforts to show that in his class are contained whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, almost invariably stretches the truth beyond the bounds allowed by the inost liberal persons. After reading his history, if we are crednlons enough, we are co11vi11ced tl1at all- merit and all excellence is united in that class, and that their graduation, and their entrance into actual life, will be the first streak ofthe millennial dawn. The ordinary class historian may be called the wielder of the hyperbole. To say that the ordinary class history is not noted for its intimacy with veracity and verecnndity, nor for its hatred of rhodomontade, is to put the truth in a trembling manner. ' It is with much regret that we notice this crowing, boastful tendency of so many class historians. The practice of trying, by fair means or foul, to convince the public that one class is the undoubted superior of all others, is both uncharitable in itself and weakens credence in the whole history. Hence, , 3 2 g

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it will be our aim to be strictly veridical, both for the sake of the truth-loving public and as a worthy example to all future historians. From these remarks, you have doubtless learned that we are not here to boast, you know too well the story of our glory. A plain recital of the facts themselves is sufficient to prove, even to the lllOSt skeptical reader, that for industry, scholarship, loyalty, social grace, physical prowess, and brilliancy of intellect, the class of '97 has had few equals, and certainly no superior. But we hesitate to give to history the deeds of the class of '97, from fear that they will undeservedly meet with the truly merited fate of all other class histories. We fear that the unblushing effrontery with which class historians have deceived the credulous public will have such a reactionary effect that they will be unprepared to accept, as unerring truth, the recital of the truly extraordinary achievments of the class of ,97. And we wonder if it would not be better to permit the world to remain in utter ignorance of our deeds, than to expose our history to the suspicions of a much-deceived public. But if we refrain from telling some of the events which have characterized this class, the ghost of truth herself will arise from the tomb, wherein she l1as been buried by other class historians, and will haunt us perpetually, for not making at least one effort to resurrect her. Therefore we will do our best to put this history in the meekest and most unpretentious manner which will be compatible with the magnitude of the facts themselves. That momentous action, known as the organization of this class, took place in the Fall of I893. After this organization, the class appeared with an original constitution and by-laws, a yell, class colors, some class officers, and H great expectations. The infant began to yearn for something by which she could distinguish herself. She did 11ot know exactly for what kind of glory she was best fitted. But she had that springing buoyancy of youth which made her confident that in any and all fields of action the class of '97 would forge to the front. And her confidence was not misplacedg for it was but a short time before it was a universally recognized fact that a new and important factor had entered the college arena with the class of '97. But here, perhaps, a word of warning becomes necessary, for if anyone has, 'by 34