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THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
PUBLIC OPINION.
That master to whom we are all servants has undergone a radical change in the past three centuries. Two hundred and fifty years ago it was considered as crude and imperfect, and merely the revelings of a lively imagination, but, to-day, it sits enthroned with all the power of a monarch, and the mind of him who would become politically great, must either conform to its principles, or be consigned to the more humble stations in life, and made subject to the unswerving dictates of this ruling monarch. But since the system of universal education has become the battle cry of almost every nation, the standard of public opinion has been so elevated and improved, that today that man whose mind is cast in this mould, closely conforming to its every requirement, does not deviate from the path of right and justice to such an extent as in former ages. An educated and enlightened public opinion, which is based upon the comparison of notes, and the living examples from every nation on the face of the earth, can scarcely be deceived; and when a man by golden bribes, or other political chicanery, obtains a position of trust; and when he becomes so petrified in sin, as to be able to endure the raspings of an enlightened conscience, and basely betrays the public confidence, he is immediately snatched from his position of ill-gotten fame, and hurled to a political grave.
To the inexperienced mind, it would seem that with such discipline, political frauds and corruptions would be unknown; that truth and justice would reign supreme. But human nature becomes so thoroughly developed in the brazen faced politician, his avaricious desires and burning ambition lead and allure him on to such an extent, that the victims to this political leprosy are counted by the hundreds. So in the political field, this harrowing discipline seems to be an unavoidable necessity, in order to prevent the undermining and final destruction of the now flourishing nation.
But a view from the social standpoint should reveal quite another picture, and from this standpoint we propose to criticise public opinion, for it is accustomed to apply the same rule to social misconduct as to political deceptions, and with even more exactness and precision. When erring man, tempted beyond his power of endurance, commits a crime comparatively greater than the every day sins of his fellow men, and when, perhaps, he is rendered doubly penitent by the punishments of the law, and by the stings and remorse of his own conscience, public opinion immediately steps in, and coldly consigns him to the shades of everlasting social darkness. And to regain the position from which he has fallen, is almost an impossibility. Not that he is worse by nature than many others, but either from his want of endurance, or the aggravated temptation in an unguarded moment, he has fallen, never again to rise on this side the grave. For when once started on the downward road, his speed is only quickened by the piercing goads of public opinion; he rushes on from one degree of wickedness to another, until he reaches that abyss which terminates his once promising, but now wretched career; a disgrace to his country, nation, and kindred. When, if on the commission of his first crime, whilst receiving the punishment inflicted by the law, and the just censure of a Christian people, if at the same time he had received one word of encouragement, one token of forgiveness, inspiring his tortured soul with the hope of once more enjoying the confidence of his former friends and associates, this wretched career might have been avoided, and the country blest with a useful
citizen. But instead of these conditional promises of reinstatement, every man becomes his judge, and every house his court. He is condemned by the press; and he is scorned by his more fortunate friends who have the power to resist temptation, or, if yielding, are sufficiently cunning to avoid detection. Those who were once his friends now use every precaution lest their righteous robes may be contaminated by his unhallowed touch. These, who should be his reclaimers and reformers, by this cold and cruel treatment, urge him on to deep despair, and to the commission of crimes still more heinous, crimes for which the public is to a great degree responsible; and in this direction we claim there is yet need for reform, a reform whose motto shall be the golden rule, and whose aim shall be the reformation and elevation of fallen man.
J. O. H.
MANLY SPORTS.
In the most, if not all, of our contemporary schools, in the east especially, physical sports are more heartily entered into than here. The value of combining physical exercise with mental exertion, is a fact though widely known, little practiced. Consequently we see our students graduating with high honors, only to succumb in a few years, at most, to that fatal agent, consumption, or some other disease equally destructive. Any one can observe that our best and most successful institutions of learning are those in which the muscle is developed as well as the brain. This must be so, for by dwarfing other parts of the body the mental capacities are as directly injured. Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell, take the lead in manly sports. With their boat crews, base ball clubs, and gymnasiums, the students are strengthened, and better prepared for work. Kansas University is deficient in this respect, and it is a noticeable fact that the older students of this institution are physically weaker than their younger and fresher brethren. You may ask, why is this? The question is very easily answered. Kansas is a young State; her inhabitants, as a class, are not wealthy, and the boys and girls who enter this University, for the most part, are sons and daughters of working men. The students themselves are accustomed to work, and so a radical change from a life of out-door labor to one so confining as this, is more than the average student can endure. Consequently his health begins to fail him, and ere long he is worthless, both as a farmer or business man, and much less as a student. Sedentary life such as we are now leading needs have exercise, and it is necessary that we should take it, no matter if we think our lessons for the morrow will suffer for it. Leaving books behind, taking a walk or a run, inhaling and exhaling the fresh air, then going back to our studies, we are surprised how quickly we can comprehend that which before seemed so abstract and far fetched. One of the many things needed at the University is a gymnasium, where each student can take the requisite amount of exercise. We want three or four ball clubs organized, more rope pulls, (anything to keep the young ladies and gentlemen from congregating in the halls). Arouse a spirit of emulation among the students to excel in manly sports, and no one need fear that lessons will suffer thereby.
Tis true that in certain colleges these sports are over done, and prove rather a detriment to the institution: but the desired effect, in this case, is lost, from the fact that, being wealthy and caring little for study,the students make a sin out of a necessity.