THE BARBARIAN REVOLT.
Item
THE BARBARIAN REVOLT.
A review of the events connected with
the adoption of the "fraternity amend-
ments" in the literary societies of the
university in the fall of 1894 does not
necessarily include a discussion of general
fraternity ethics, and none will be at-
tempted here except as it is necessary to ex-
plain the motives of those who took part in
that social upheaval. It would be a source
of great pleasure to several of the survivors
of that memorable struggle to write roaring
encyclical letter on the evils of the system
and the fortunate escape of the University
of Nebraska from its most dangerous
features, but this quarter centennial cele-
bration is not time for heated argument over
old college problems. It is no time for
war, especially among the graduates. We
all want to gather in peace and harmony and
sing the old songs, rehearse the old stories,
recall the old jokes, and so far as we can
live over our jolly lives here on the campus
before the scientific departments became ag-
ressive, and before the spirit of progress de-
stroyed the old school and put in its place a
rushing, pushing, modern university.
The institution was in its second decade
before the greek letter societies made their
appearance. They were not received in a
hostile spirit. On the contrary their
coming was regarded as a welcome evidence
that the university was growing and was at
last securing recognition from student
organizations in colleges outside the state.
We were so small and so poor twelve years
ago, with our one building and our meagre
attendance, mainly in the preparatory
department, that we would no doubt have
been glad to get the scarlet fever, or the
measles, or anything else, providing it
came to us from a bigger college duly en-
dorsed as a thing that every progressive
student ought to have.
The first fraternity was organized by a
lot of the best fellows in the university.
Nearly all were members of the Palladian
society. There was a lively fight for
supremacy in those days between the Palla-
dians and the Unions and every man was
needed. After awhile it was charged that
some of the fraternity boys had lost a good
deal of their old time ardor. They skipped
meetings with discouraging frequency, and
as this had not been noticed before the
secret society was naturally enough held
responsible. The Palladians who were
here in 1882-3 remember that on account of
the graduation of their leading members
they had a very lively time keeping even
with their friends, the enemy, at the other
end of the building. Some of the hardest
and most conscientious fighting the univer-
sity has ever known was done in that year,
and it not only brought the Palladian
society to the front again, but it fused that
little band of fighters into a compact body
of defenders of the literary society as
- Title
- THE BARBARIAN REVOLT.
- Source
-
The Hesperian
"RG 38/01/02"
Periodical: Box: 3
Folder:
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24 THE HESPERIAN
Even from this distance it is hard to say
that the barbarians were victorious. The
fraternities were not defeated, later some of
these same barbarian zealots joined fraterni-
ties, and three at least of the most promi-
nent leaders married fraternity girls. Perhaps
the most remarkable phase of the entire war
was the good fellowship that prevailed
between the leaders of each faction. So
far as they were fighting for principle, each
recognized the fact and respected it in the
other, Even where personal jealousy
appeared, it was forgiven, and what ill feel-
ing had been engendered between friends
died out before the end of the year.
Though they could not agree with the barbs
when it was claimed that the end justified -
the means, the fraternities always admired
the daring of the enemy and appreciated
the consummate skill with which their
plans were executed.
MW Ory 2 ne VaKAT
THE BARBARIAN REVOLT.
A review of the events connected with
the adoption of the ‘fraternity amend-
ments’’ in the literary societies of the
university in the fall of 1894 does not
necessarily include a discussion of general
‘fraternity ethics, and none will be at-
tempted here except as it is necessary to ex-
plain the motives of those who took part in
that social upheaval. It would be a source
of great pleasure to several of the survivors
of that memorable struggle to write roaring
encyclical letters on the evils of the system
and the fortunate escape of the University
of Nebraska from its most dangerous
features, but this quarter centennial cele-
bration is no time for heated argument over
old college problems. It is no time for
war, especially among the graduates. We
all want togather in peace and harmony and
sing the old songs, rehearse the old stories,
recall the old jokes, and so far as we can
live over our jolly lives here on the campus
before the sciéntific departments became ag-
ressive, and before the spirit of progress de-
stroyed the old school and put in its place a
rushing, pushing, modern university.
The institution was in its second decade
before the Greek letter societies made their
appearance. They were not received in a
hostile spirit. On the contrary their
coming was regarded as a welcome evidence
that the university was growing and was at
last securing recognition from _ student
organizations in colleges outside the state.
We were so small and so poor twelve years
ago, with our one building and our meagre
attendance, mainly in the preparatory
department, that we would no doubt have
been glad to get the scarlet fever, or the
measles, or anything else, providing it
came to us froma bigger college duly en-
dorsed as a thing that every progressive
student ought to have.
The first fraternity was organized by a
lot of the best fellows in the university.
Nearly all were members of the Palladian
society. There was a lively fight for
supremacy in those days between the Palla-
dians and the Unions and every man was
needed. After awhile it was charged that
some of the fraternity boys had lost a good
deal of their old time ardor. They skipped
meetings with discouraging frequency, and
as this had not been noticed before the
secret society was naturally enough held
responsible. The Palladians who were
here in 1882-3 remember that on account of
the graduation of their leading members
they had avery lively time keeping even
with their friends, the enemy, at the other
end of the building. Some of the hardest
and most conscientious fighting the univer-
sity has ever known was done in that year,
and it not only brought the Palladian
society to the front again, but it fused that
little band of fighters into a compact body
of defenders of the literary society as
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