VIEWS.
73
VIEWS.
Students, did you ever stop to consider the gains and losses sustained by you in these little society fights, and then in all coolness weigh each side carefully, with a view of ascertaining whether you were bettered by them or not? You weigh every other proposed action before performing it; but in society elections you often lose sight of reason and rush blindly into a conflict with your fellow classmates, determined to win a position for yourself or a friend, no matter what it cost. Is this right? Is it doing justice to yourself, your friends or your parents? No one within the walls of the K. S. U. can say yes to these questions without feeling the stings of conscience. You know you neglect your studies; become intensely interested; think more of college politics than of college work; hate those once your friends; take glory in calling them "liars," and grow gradually into a first-class "ward politician,'" fit for almost nothing except wire-pulling, blackguarding and a general kicker-up of rows. Is it worth your while to lose the friendship of even one, to gain a position upon a contest program? Does it pay to work, and sweat, and scheme for a society honor, when in so doing you detract from your individual honor? Can any one of you afford to neglect work you were sent here to perform, by entering so zealously into matters of minor importance? Think of these questions.
If the Orophilians have as big a fight next Friday as did the Oreads on last Friday, I really believe it would be for the best interests of student life to have the literary societies placed under the control of the faculty, it having power to close them up
entirely when such a spirit of warfare is being generated by opposing factions. If secret societies would confine themselves to their proper sphere of work it would never be necessary to take such a step, but as long as they make themselves a unit for the securing of positions to any of their number, we may expect nothing but warfare. "Barbs" are not to be trampled upon; the sooner any fraternity recognizes this fact the better will it be for all. Nine-tenthsof the rows kicked up in this University during the past four years can be traced either directly or indirectly to fraternities. A back seat will be the ultimate result of every blind Greek, unless the fraternities recognize ability wherever found. Greeks must learn to cease saying, "I will not associate with 'barbs,' they are too inferior to me." Bless you, aren't you aware that several of the best students in K. S. U. have refused to associate with you in the secret hall? It does me good to see it. It shows that the fraternity man's action is watched as well as that of the "barb." Our society halls are now the battle grounds upon which these distinctions are being fought down. If fraternity men will crush them out there will be no struggles, and we cau write on our society walls peace, not war. This once done, our societies will be inviting to new students instead of disgusting, as they now appear to many. Neither will there be any reason for blackballing worthy applicants prior to an election for fear such a one may vote upon the wrong side. As fraterity men we ought to fight against the growth of these distinctions now altogether too apparent.
Shall we do it? L. H. LEACH.