Washington College - Pegasus Yearbook (Chestertown, MD)

Page 9 text:

And as we gaze about us, we have attempted to put in enduring form the sights which meet our view, leavening the whole with a cursory backward glance and a peep into the possible future We believe no one will question the need, or the practical utility of' this volume. There exists a niche, long vacant, which it endeavors to fill. How snugly, we must leave to others to judge. Aside from other considerations which may have influenced us, we have felt within ourselves the want of a publication of this kind, to aid in crystallizing the progressive spirit now existent among our students, and in consum- mating it into permanent and continuous advancement. NVhen the idea of publishing an annual was first broached. we thought the suggestion good. Yet, not until the matter assumed more practical shape, did we feel the full Weight of the responsibility resting upon us. As our work has progressed, we have realized even more fully that, as pioneers in the movement, the result of our labor would be dissected and discussed from many and various points of view. A brief reference to the reasons actuating us to throw ourselves into the breach, and cause the issue of this publication, may not he without interest. Our excuse, if excuse it may be called, is threefold. Primarily, we wished to bring in closer contact the alumni and present students. Nothing could be more desirable and more advan- tageous than to instill into our students a respect and veneration for those men who, in years now past, have hastened forth at the ringing of the chapel bell, or, on the other hand, inculcate in the minds of our graduates a living interest in the present status of the college and the life of its students. Memory is often a treacherous bond, and it behooves us to strengthen it by any available method. It may be that in the absence of any tie of a material kind, many of our graduates have lost to some extent a desirable, and, possibly, an earnest and aggressive interest in the Welfare of the college. We know of nothing better cal- culated to renew and brighten that interest than a volume such as this. 5

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Introductory. -il-if . X-335. QP T IS with some natural misgiving, that we present to the 6 public this, the first attempt of Washington College to com- pete with sister institutions in the line of undergraduate literature. This feeling is strengthened rather than lessened, from a consciousness of the fact that the audience to whom we address ourselves, while limited in number, is in a position to pass critical judgment upon the merits and demerits of our work, as to whether it truly represents, or otherwise, the esprit of the college from which it emanates. Yet, this circumstance is not without its recompenseg for we feel that whatever our weaknesses may be, they will be freely pardoned by those who, before us, have made to echo the corridors of old Washington. In these pages an attempt is made to present a view of our ALMA MATER as she is to-day, though glimpses are taken at our historic and interesting past. These backward glances reveal in a clearer light our present position, and from a comparison of the two We may learn if we are keeping abreast, in our particular sphere with the foremost in the grand progressive march of American schools. Our record is without blemish, we believe our future will be equally beyond reproach, and from a material standpoint, far more brilliant and influential. Between the vanished months with their fading memories and years that are yet to be, we stand to-day, glorying in the first, enthusiastic for the second. 4 4

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In the next instance, our sister institutions in the State have set us a pace, and we must eithcr keep toit, or lag hopelessly behind. The latter We cannot consent to do. It is not that the issuance of an annual manifests any special enterprise, but that the non-performance of this act on the part of a college displays retrogression or stagnation. To neither of these two very undesirable qualities do we care to confess. Finally, and candidly, we wish to show the world what we can accomplish 3 what we are doing here at NVashington College. This may be selfish. but if so, it is wholly pardonable, and to the equitable minded, a healthy and desirable ambition. With this, we present to you the initial product of our brains and hands. It has its faults, perhaps many. Judge them kindly, and accept our earnest assurance that none exist which the best intentions and ha'rd work could eliminate ..,,a, in ll! li I . ll