4
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
hundreds of cities and towns, and has, we think, diminished the sale of intoxicants even in our largest cities. The prohibitory law is gradually being enforced and, with perhaps a few modifications by the next Legislature, in the course of time it will be observed to the letter. It cannot be other than gratifying to behold the great advancement that temperance is making all over the land. The battle has been fought and won in Maine, Kansas and Iowa. Other states will soon fall into line, and before many years shall have passed, our country will be "the iand of the free" in more than the ordinary sense.
THERE seems to be an unusually large number of distracting influences that are brought to bear upon our students this fall. The fair at Topeka, which was especially attractive on account of the re-union and the presence of Senator Blaine, enticed quite a number of them away from town. There was also the mammoth concern of Forepaugh. Then came the Bismarck Fair simultaneously with the entertainment at the Opera, making it possible for those so inclined to while away their time at Bismarck during the day and spend their evenings in attendance upon theatrical performances. There was considerable eagerness on the part of theater-goers to try the new opera house which Mr. Bowersock has fitted up during the summer. Just how much time a student should devote to fairs, shows, theaters and the like is an important question. No doubt much can be learned at the places mentioned, and hence, time spent there is not utterly lost. But while some knowledge is acquired, is it not probable that much more of value could be learned by a strict attention to our University studies? Probably our professors would answer the question in the affirmative, and this view is doubtless correct. A person should not be a recluse. And yet it is safe to say that one attending school should first prepare his lessons and then if he has spare time, he may devote it to amusement. Those who have tried it know that when this rule is reversed everything seems to be completely out of joint. That it is impossible for any one to accomplish anything in the line of study, and at the same time attend every entertainment that comes along needs no proof. Hard study and a good deal of it, which means much self-denial, is the surest road to knowledge.
We wish again to remind our patrons that the Courier is published in the interests of the students. It was stated in our first issue that an earnest endeavor would be made to frame the constitution so that no one faction could ever control and monopolize the paper. That the statement was not mere verbosity will appear from the constitution which is published in another part of this number. Non-secret society students will observe that they can own half of the number of shares of stock and can elect one-half of the journal staff from their ranks. This being the case, they surely cannot complain that they have not a due representation. In drafting the constitution it was thought best to consider
the secret societies a unit, and the balance of the students a unit. Proceeding on this plan, no one secret society has so much power nor so good a representation as the outsiders. Their combined power, however, is the same. In arranging the editors for secret societies, it was considered best to give the two having the greatest amount of stock two editors each. Those holding a less amount may have a greater, equal, or less representation. The control of three shares, however, entitles any secret society to at least one editor or business manager. Normal students will notice that they are to have a portion of the paper, and an editor from their ranks. This is not specially for the "Normal Society" but for the Normal Department of the University. If any party thinks it has not a fair representation, we can only say that it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to frame the constitution so that perfect equality should be had by all parties. It seems to us, however, that no one can find any serious fault with the constitution as it now reads.
LITERARY.
COMPANIONSHIP.
Keep your life near other lives; Some indeed may ask to be Like a lonely mountain peak, Arising from a silent sea.
Though each nature fine and true Has an inner life—its own. All the more does this require That your life stand not alone.
Be near enough to hear the throbs Of the great heart of Humanity. That your own may rise and fall In responsive sympathy.
If the fullness of its strength You would have your life attain, God and man and self—these three Are the trinity to reign.
Atchison, Kas.
IDA A. AHLBORN.
THE FUTURE AND THE PRESENT.
When Longfellow wrote that "Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal," did he propose to strike a blow at existing superstition? Did he intend to convey the idea than man ought to live in the present? A man has more inducements that bind him to the presthan that lead him to speculate as to the future. Man was created in society, and when he separates himself from society his situation is abnormal. But we cannot live in society without partaking of the joy and happiness and contentment that flows around us. We know no more of the essence of our existance than we do of the essence of matter. We know that we were born into the world, that we live a certain length of time, and die, sinking into everlasting forgetfulness. Like the rain drop that starts from nothing, passes through the air and drops into the boundless ocean among myriads of other drops. We know not from whence we came nor whither we go. Of those who have departed from this world not one has returned to tell his fellow