University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 8 text:

THE INDEX. The great question of the benefit of the College to the State is yet to be proved, and that only by the character and standing which its students shall sustain after leaving its walls, and when they erect the edifice of their future life on the foundation which if laid at all must be laid here. But we hope for the best, and trust that future numbers of the Index may show a rapid advance in all that pertains to oiu ' loved institution.

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The Index. We present to-day to the friends of our institution Vol. 1st of the Index, a, pamphlet designed to represent the internal growth and status of the CoUeo-e, and which we hope may prove of interest alike to members of the College and to the public. In glancing back over the history of the College from its first feeble struggle for existence until the present state of comparative development, we think that all should be satisfied with the measure of success which has attended our efforts. Of Presidents we have had three. As regards the cause of the first, charity forbids us to make any comment. In the loss of the second, the College sustained an injury v hicli could be repaired only by the acquisition of a commanding and energetic spirit like that which animates our beloved President of to-day. Our corps of Professors is one which any institution might well be proud of. From the President down they all have the love and respect of the students, and what more essential element can there be for the success of any institution of learning ? In the course of study marked out for us we recognize one calculated to give a high sbate of culture to all who may pursue it, and one which will sooner or later establish here an institution whose tendency shall be to advance the cause of science and promote the welfare of all who may directly or indirectly be brought under its influence. And yet, with all ou.r success, there is need of continued effort, the great- est effort, both 0:1 the part of the students and those who have the p-overnment of the College in their- hands.

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Comniiinicatioiis, Nearly three years ago we entered this College as the first class. As we look back, we see many improyenients ; even in that short period dormitories and other buildings necessary both for the Col- lege and the farm, have been erected. What shall we say for ourselves ? Are we the stereotyped Juniors of former days, in felt hat and shawl ? No, ' 71 is a jolly set of chaps, delighting in sugar scrapes and Hamp as much as anybody. We feel as though our course thus far has been productive of much good to the College. Have we not planted elms, whose gen- erous shade shall shelter future generations ? Have not jDines been set out around some of the lesser buildings ? Who but a ' 71 man could have had such forethought 1 Our relations with the Faculty have been, and are, very pleasant, and we are i:)leased to learn they are not afraid of us. AVith ' 72 we have had much to do. We hope they do not chafe under the recollections of rushes, mode trials, blanket-tossings, c. But bygones are bygones to us both, and Juniors and SojdIis smoke the pipe of peace. We have nothing to do with ' 73, save to help them organize ' ' secret societies. Many of us are votaries of the national game, and we furnish a goodly number to the Wilder Nine. Music hath icS charms for us, both vocal and instrumental. Among the instruments used are the piano, violin, violincello, cornet, clarionet and flute. We have learned to feel the pomp and circumstance of glorious war, in the drill of the manual of arms and bayonet exercise, imder the tutelage of Capt. Alvord.