Thus we find that all vacancies of position and office in the
different college organizations are quickly filled with new men.
The former occupants are forgotten except as recalled by story or
incident. And ere we are aware the illusion that certain men are
indispensable to certain positions has vanished, and we are loath
to believe that the college community could ever have existed in
any other than the present form.
Such a change and adjustment of things has already taken
place. And now to those who have assumed these new responsi
bilities and duties with their opportunities for revealing ability
and individuality, THE LANCE takes this opportunity of wishing
you the best of success. To those old students who have re
turned to take up the thread of college life again, we bid a happy
greeting. We hope you have had a pleasant and profitable va
cation, and have returned with new health, vigor, and inspiration.
And last but not least, we desire to express a hearty welcome to
every new student who has joined our ranks; and in the name of
State, we extend the hand of good fellowship and fraternity.
You have made an important decision in your life in resolving to
take a college course. We trust and hope that you will hold to
this good resolution. You have entered a new life, and as you
are undoubtedly ignorant as regards many of its unwritten
laws and customs, you might accept with profit a few sincere
words of advice.
We could of course fill pages in enumerating the positive and
negative virtues becoming a Freshman; but we will condense the
latter virtues to this,—Don't try to make yourself conspicuous by
assuming that you are the greatest aquisition ever procured by
State. Time and the unwritten college laws will suddenly dispel
such illusions if you do. And, moreover, you need not kick
against these laws for you will find them solid, and will only
hurt yourself. They are for your best good, and are meant to
wear away the irregularities of your character, and thus to bring
you into harmony with the true college life. Base your ideas and
opinions of the institution upon a broad and intelligent basis; not
upon the prejudices and whims of some jealous, cranky, pessi
mistic student. And among the positive virtues we will make the
selection,—Give your intellectual, artistic, and financial support
to all the college organizations, especially to your class, to the
Athletic Association, to the Y. M. C. A., to the literary society,
EDITORIALS