University of Nebraska Lincoln - Cornhusker Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

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III. The Future Ho, the majestic curtain ot The Bcsinnini; of Things sweeps solemnly hack. And behold! — a lonely expanse of wind-swept plain and softly tinted hill! And silver mists gather over the scene, and clear away to reveal ragged tepees on the once desolate plain. Threads of smoke rise from feeble fires, and fade into a hazy sky, pierced by the Beams of Dawning Knowledge. The curtain falls. It rises with a breath of wildly urging martial music, and enter the adven- turous tradesmen of an older civilization. Now, all is confusion. The stage is filled with rough-clad traders, bartering with half-bewildered, half-insouciant Red men. The turmoil dies, and a sweet peace breathes over the plains. The scene is a voiceless appeal to the strong souls who can dream of the state as it may become, and labor to make it a reality. Prophetic forms and mists move ever before the eyes of the Dreamer, and he sees the Land of the Future. To him, the plains are teeming with events, and crowded with greatness. And he bravely remains and faces the silent emptiness of the prairies, so that he may bring his vision to life. He builds for himself a rude sod shelter. On wintry nights his lamp sends paths of diamond radiance over drifted snows that circle his miniature kingdom to the honzon. And the deep-set stars gleam down and carve out the unadorned loneliness of the scene in bold relief. Then follow summer scenes of barrel fields and straggling flock and toiling pioneers. But Ceres smiles kindly upon the fields. And the reluctant plains release their treasures, and golden fields of grain usurp the place of bar- barian grasses. Orchards flower, and splash their perfumed color upon the scene. Herds wander over the once forbidding hills. And the prairies which had known only savage tribes or slaving settlers, are efflorescent with the product of man ' s Ideals and Labor. Shaded lawns and gardens surround the pioneer ' s home. And presently the decrepit little hut has vanished. It has given way ) o its vigorous heir — a stately home, so much a stranger to its predecessor. Wagon trails widen and form highways which lead the rural life to the infant cities. Now, church spires stamped against the sky call to travelers to behold about them a new civilization. And other massive buildings pro- claim the growing cities, and, lo — where once July winds scorched unhalted, and wild drifts of winter played free havoc, tall buildings, drawn up thinly, shoulder each other. The wraiths and mists of Dreams have rolled back over the stage, and gathered themselves into Page 13 ■ ■tllltlflltll I I t I f V r I 1 I [ 1 1 I 1 I T I 1 I I I I I I I m I 1 »i n 1 1 I m 1 1 1 1 H

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Dome Roc . fiorth Platte Valley Normal schtx)ls arc located at Peru, Chadron, Kearney, and Wayne. The Protestant denomina- tions are represented in the educational life of the state by eleven colleges and many secondary and elementary schcx)ls; the Catholics maintain tour large institutions, aside from elementary and secondary schools. Nebraska has four universi- ties, Nebraska Wesleyan, a Meth xlist University at University Place; Creighton, a Catholic Uni- versity at Omaha: the University of Omaha, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The last named is the state ' s greatest institution of learn- ing, with a st udent body of si.xty-five hundred, and a faculty of three hundred fifty. From this intellect- ual center come many of the men who enrich the name and state of Nebraska. The past few years has witnessed extensive legal reform. A constitutional convention in 1920 rewrote the constitution of the state in order to make it less cumbersome. Legislative efforts have been directed to repealing useless laws and enacting only necessary ones, to raise efficiency and lower the expense to the taxpayer. There has been no great growth in Nebraska along the line of the arts, although many Nebras- ka writers, artists and musicians are coming to fame. Interest in the arts is fostered by numer- ous organizations. In Omaha there is the Society of Fine Arts, and in Lincoln, The Nebraska Art Association. Both of these societies have annual exhibitions at which noteworthy paintings from all over the country are displayed. The state is producing not only painters who have been recognized by American and European art gal- leries, but artists following other lines — commer- cial artists, interior decorators and cartoonists. Court House Ruc South of Bridgeport Music lovers are constantly attempting to secure a higher standing for music in Nebraska. In Omaha and Lincoln there are artists courses which bring great artists before the public. The Matinee HI Musicale in Lincoln is one of the oldest and largest musical organizations; it has been in existence for more than thirty years. In Omaha there is a symphony orchestra. The State Music Teachers Association is also playing a great part in the musical development of the state. What has been accomplished up to the present time in the way of art is indicative of what the future may bring. The building of a new state in a country which was well-known to the Ponca, Pawnee, C )toe, and Sioux Indian but strange to the white man was not an easy task. The early settlers toiled a half century to make Nebraska a full- fledged commonwealth. But the pioneers, :n fighting hardships, developed a spirit of resolu- tion and courage which is a lasting heritage of true Nebraskans. ' 2r ChimneN ' Roc ; eiir Bayard Page 12 i imittiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiii .i . I 1 r n g-T 1

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A Majestic Portrayal of the Spirit of the Plaii s — ' H.ehrask.a ' s ' H.ew State Capitol pulsing monuments to man s advance. Another trumpet call, — and from chaos emerges a well-or- dered government. And the destinies of a state once ruled only by winds of chance, are moulded by wise and judicial legislation. The Drama continues, and there come yet greater scenes. For the Spirit of Progress rules. The voice of the Future speaks, and the Mists of men ' s visions gather again, and fantastic fig- ures resolve to form yet grander Images. The mighty sweep of prairie and rolling hill impress themselves upon the heart of the native architect. And the visions of sublime architecture crystalize and live in great temples and monuments to progress. Stately halls and cathedrals lend dignity to the expanding cities. The first sod hut be- comes but a dim memor ' , in this new reign of Beauty. And the iridescence of sunset and dawn breathe their message, and find their reflection upon the canvas of native artists. The call of open prairies, and the untamed music of living things re-echoes and fl ows out upon the composer ' s score. And lands which knew neither pen nor book, yield of their history and romances to the song of native bards. The call of the unknown and unexplored is answered by the rising of greater fountains of learn- ing. And every hamlet boasts of its superior wells of knowledge, where the youth of the state may learn of the wisdom of all time. Enchanting, shaded road-ways and parts un- wind and lead to beauteous parks and pleasure spots. The villages of the state are bound to- gether by these highways, and become more closely related units of a harmonious state. Then come splendid scenes of harvest festivals on golden autumn days, with recognition to the brave pioneers through whose labors their Dreams have been made to live. And the youth of the state, living within the reach of things inspiring, in time lends his shoulder to the Wheel of Progress. His power and knowledge guide his own state, and touch the mightier- pjhases of his nation ' s history. The curtain does not fall again. The stag- ' sets forth a never-ending panorama of growth and bskiity:- And- ' -the-Scenes succeed each. other in increasing tributes to the glories of Nebraska. Moonlight on the Platte Paae 14