UNIVERSITY COURIER
Entered at Lawrence Post Office as Second Class Matter.
VOL. I.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, FEBRUARY 23, 1883.
University Courier.
A SEMI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
BOARD OF EDITORS.
EDITORIAL. C. C. DART.
TOPICS J. D. McLAREN.
LITERARY. E. A. BROWN, ANNA MURPHY.
SCIENTIFIC L. L. DYCHE.
NORMAL G. E. ROSE.
EXCHANGE ALBERT RIFFLE.
LOCAL GLEN MILLER, MARY GILLMORE.
PERSONAL CLARA GILLHAM.
MISCELLANY W. S. WHIRLOW, ELLA V. KEIST.
BUSINESS MANAGERS. EDMOND BUTLER, B. K. BRUCE.
Subscription, One Dollar per Year, in Advance.
EDITORIAL.
THE last issue of the COURIER was loaded breech and muzzle with articles on Col. Ingersoll. Although the columns of the COURIER are open at all times to the free discussion of questions, we consider this wholesale howling about nothing, in bad taste. If there was an essential point to be gained there would be some excuse. There are some who are making great exertion to disprove the current opinion that infidelity exists in the University. Others are making ridiculous efforts to excuse or deny that which every one knows to exist. The New York Weekly Witness, with a circulation of 121,000, makes these disparaging statements concerning the University: "Kansas University, like State Universities generally, has, apparently, a leaning toward freethinking, or, in other words, atheism. Its literary societies have invited Col. Ingersoll to address them at the coming commencement. This is a bad lookout for Kansas." Had the New York Weekly Witness been as well informed on facts as it was ignorant of them, the last startling statement would have been omitted; indeed that versatile paragraphist would have had no opportunity to air his judgment. Mr. Ingersoll was invited not because he was an infidel but because he was supposed to be the "greatest living orator." Is it a discredit anyway to the Kansas University that it turns out free-thinkers, liberal men, instead of a lot of credulous fools? Does it indicate any want of intellectual culture, if men bring every statement to the bar of reason to be decided? "The fool saith in his heart, there is no God." Very well, let the fool think that way if he wants to.
When a man makes much parade of his religion we say he is a hypocrite. If a man makes much parade of infidelity he is just as much of a hypocrite as the other. This is not a sectarian school and we are proud of it; we are not manufacturing as many hypocrites as we otherwise would. ___ X.
It is with pleasure that we call attention to the fact, that K. S. U. is obliged no more to send abroad when a bird, bear, turkey or mouse is to be fitted up for the museum. One of her own boys, L. L. Dyche, has done some work in taxidermy that in many respects is superior to any previously done for the University. The institution may well be proud of having among her own students one capable of doing such good work of a kind, for which so few are competent. And need I say that the COURIER feels proud to think his name is found upon its editorial staff.
A GOOD MOVE.—We understand that K. S. U. will have an annual this year. It has not been christened yet, but Caldwell will soon announce its name, and what is more, he will make it a magazine of merit. We like the way he has gone at it. In the hands of one individual as this will be, it cannot cause such a row as did the Kikkabe. Even those whom our contemporary saw fit to call "the ones who neither do anything themselves nor allow anybody else to do anything" will receive in the hands of Mr. Caldwell, a just representation, and besides they will be treated as gentlemen in every respect, which is saying more than the "kickers" can now say. The "shot-gun policy" may do among ignorant people, but even there one runs a risk; a "snuff box" breech-loader sometimes shoots off the head of him who pulls the trigger. But this year there will be no trigger to pull, for in Caldwell's efforts both "bull-dozer" and "kicker" unite. The only thing said about this union of strength, is the disappointment it gives the Faculty. They had begun to prepare for war, and had decided to visit vengeance upon him who would dare to "gag" them, and also upon him who even allowed the muscles of his leg to twitch, as if getting ready for a kick. Cease now your preparations for the gentle breezes of peace are blowing around the summit of Mt. Oread, and we are going to have an Annual. Success to Caldwell and his enterprise.
As Commencement draws near the anxiety of Seniors and literary society men increases. The societies will be well patronized by the seekers of patronage. Loyalty for them will be way above par. The Seniors are on the qui vive for the appointments, and the meeting of the class to choose representatives for class-day honors promises something "rich, rare and racy."