The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-11-22
From the Christian cynosure.
College Secret Societies.
Editor Chriaion cynosl1e,

Editor Chri,fion cynos,1e.
Having just completed four years
course in q somewhat prominent institu.
ton, the University Of Michigan. and
having bestowed considerable attention.
more than they deserved perhaps, upon
college fraternities, thought that posi-
bly, few words regarding their practical
workings and inherent principles might
not be out Of place in your paper. As 1t
is about the time when scores of neophy-
tes will be considering the "brigbt side
of these brotherhoods l am doubly anx-
ious to get in plea for independence
Not, however, from any personal illwill
/ bear the societies, but having fought
against an inclination to Join the mystic
band throughout the course, I look back,
and seeing wherein have gained by re-
sisting, L wish to persuade others to give
the question at least careful examins-
tion before allowing themselves to be
crushed in," as it is termed in college
parlance.
1t is noticeable fact that very little
argument is employed in crushing" man
for a society. No sooner has it been de-
cided thpt he will be desirable addition
to their ranks, than some Of the most ELI
gible members take the outsider in charge
They visit him, talk and walk with him
and show him every attention. Ifneces-
sary they often "pony" him through pre-
liminary examinations.
No wonder that the poor freshman Just
cut off from home sympathy and compsn-
ions is dazzled and fattered by these at
tentions, and by the promise of these new
friends TO stand by him all through the
course, If he will but join "thcir sooie-
ty.' 1t is thus nine tenths of those who
do join are crushed in" by little coax-
ing. The remainder, endowed with the
germs of independence, or perhaps being
little more cautious, hold back for time
to consider. But having once "bid" for
a man, pride compels the society to put
forth every effort to secure him The
most plausible members now come for
ward, and the unfortunate victim must
listen to a compound of coaxipg and ar
gument appealing to sel6shness, until he
either consents to join Or gives fat re-
fusal. All graduates who have been
members of the society and, in spite Of
this fact, have achieved some distinction,
are pointed out to him. These men will
be his friends, his "brothers," not through
any meritorious act or desert of his, but
simply because he belongs to their socie-
ty. And then, after graduation, when
he goes out to work his own way ,all these
unknown "brothers" will be ready to help
him into some lucrative position, not be-
cause he deserves it, but for the sake Of
"the society,"" Furthermore, by uniting
with the fraternity, be will be brought
into good society in the college town, said
good society to which he gains admit
tance, consisting of score, more or less.
; of shallow, Aippant maidens who are over.
come by the brilliant badge and no less
brilliant manners of the dapper coIlegiaps
belonging to "our society" Another ar
gument sometimes employed is "the lit
erary culture to be gained But who
ever heard Of a literary institution of
the smullest pretcnsiOns which did not
boast of open literary societies, debating
clubs and all the paraphernalia for manu-
featuring young Websters out of the most
common talent
These arguments, almost without ex-
ception appeal to sel6sbness. They DO
away with the old fashioned notion Of
true merit being the measure of success.
Instead of encouraging the beginner to
/, work hard and win friends and a position
among his classmates BY honest, manly
effort these society ties take away the best
incentives. If the society man works
hard and is successful il is either in spite
of his new influences, or because the
honor of the fraternity must be upheld.
Once a member of one of these broth
erhoods, and what is a mans real position
in colleget? At the very beginning of
his course he has chosen, for better or
for worse" and more often the latter s
batch of friends heretofore almost entire
strangers. College custom and the strict
ly drawn party lines make these his bos-
ON companions and associates for the
WnOle COURSE, no matteT Wuat tne uLsSiW
ilarity of tastes or morals. Society pride
makes him loud-mouthed in the praises
of his brothers, and he becomes gradually
blinded to the excellencies of all outside
the ring. Eager to promote the reputa-
tion of his society, he is ever ready to
back up each individual member with
his vote and his influence. Others do the
same for him, and the fraternity becomes
mutual admiration society,"" fostering
caste and egotism among its members
In all college elections the influence Is
felt, and the intriguing and wire-workips
spirit manifested is fair counterpart of
that which too often controls and cor
rupts our politics.
Such in brief are some OF the natural
results of these unnatural aliances-un.
natural because there is no real call for
them, and because, no matter how noble
their professed aims, their practical work
ing are almost universally bad.