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The Courier-Review.
There are dozens of standard works that your friends and companions are talking about. How many have you read? To be "up on" a new book is as essential nowadays as to be acquainted with the various political questions and parties. By the way, what do you know about protection and free trade? What do you know about income tax, about the silver or the gold standard? If you know about these things it is because you read. If you do not know about these things it is because you do not read. In no other way can you benefit yourself more than by acquiring the "reading habit."
WEWOULD advise every student who has any intention whatever of participating in the coming joint debate to join the Debating Club. The training which he can receive there is such that it will be of more service to him than anything else could possibly be. The power of thinking while standing and addressing an audience is one which can be acquired only by long continued practice. A natural gift of oratory will be of no service to a man if he is not able to formulate ideas while he speaks. If you are so situated that you cannot join the Debating Club, become a member of some other organization which will afford you an opportunity to acquire ease in speaking and thinking.
STUDENTS, you have chosen us to represent you on this paper, and in the beginning we shall insist upon your loyal support. This paper will be what you make it, no more, no less. Last year the burden of the entire work fell upon the staff. No doubt they received a great benefit from it, but what good did you get is the question. We must confess that the volume of last year missed its aim entirely. While the paper was carried on in order to give you a means of developing your literary talents, only a few took advantage of the opportunity of the REVIEW's or COURIER'S columns. Fellow students, this is your paper, and its moral and literary tone will depend upon the support you give it. The paper is not for the benefit of the staff but for you. The REVIEW number
is designed to be a medium for the free exchange of thought and for the development of style in writing. We know you are pressed for time-so are we. But do not forget that to learn to express your thoughts logically and grammatically is one of the choicest acquirements of college life. We can only learn this by practice and close study. So let us use our opportunities and make the COURIER-REVIEW a profit to ourselves and a credit to our University. Ever remember that
"Of all those arts in which the wise excel. Nature's chief masterpiece is writing well."
Too much stress cannot be laid upon the tremendous results which depend upon a young man's actions while at college. Too much care cannot be taken to lay deep the foundation of life and character for future years. The young man who forms the habit of systematic study will certainly become an able business or professional man. If, on the other hand, he acquires the habit of neglecting his duty or giving up when confronted by a difficult task, he will surely be unfit for the solution of the hard problems of life. Man can just as well call back lost opportunities as he can rid his character of the defects formed at college. Eternity alone can reveal the benefits of integrity, honesty and religious devotion practiced by the student while at college.
Prairie Sunset. NANNIE PUGH.
Darkened prairie depths softly stirred As grasses whisper apart,
The one clean note of an upwinging bird Like an upspringing hope in the heart.
The wide shadowed sweep all still with a sense Of infinite mystery,
While in the hush expectant-intense The spirit of sunset passes by.