The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-05-20
OUTLINE OF THE
CIRCLES WORK
The Work of the Pierian
Circle in the Past Sea-
son Outlined
The Secretary's Report Upon the Subjects
Treated by the Members, also the Pro-
gress and Aims Of the Circle Briefly
Outlined.
By Beau Esprita

To review impartially a work in
which one has some part, however
little, is not an easy task. Few of US
can rise to the occasion when called
on to criticise our own achieve
ments.
Inside criticism has, however, this
advantage over criticism from with
out: that the critic has a more init
mate and comprehensive knowledge
of the aims and motives which have
actuated, and of the effort, the hard
work which lies behind the COM
pleted achievement.
In recording the work Of the
Pierlan Circle during the past year,
as shown forth in the papers pre-
pared for and read before it during
that time, without any effort at stud
led preparation on my part, l be-
lieve l shall be able to give you the
best possible conception of what the
members have accomplished.
The studies this year have follow
ed closely along five broad lines,
viz: Government; Political and Soc
ial Economy; History. Science and
Mechanics. Some of our best papers
have branched out along more than
one of these lines; while we have
had few admirable papers on vag-
rant themes of general interest.
Being shut off, as We are in
measure, from contact with the NOV
ing forces of the day, it is one Of the
cardinal aims of our little club to
supply the missing link, to keep in
touch with the progress of events
that we may be the less untitled to
play our destined parts in them
when opportunity shall present.
1t is but natural, then, that the
general tenseness evident in politi-
cal and social conditions through
out the world, have been reflected
in the debates of the Circle.
This reflection is evidenced in the
number of essays on governmental
and economic themes which have
been taken up for consideration, as
we'll as by the turn of discussion
ellicited by them.
Foremost among the topics con-
sidered by the Circle during the
past period Is that of Government;
series of papers of exceptional
value along this line having been
presented and discussed thoroughly.
This series was opened early in the
year by paper on Albania, that
hapless little Balkan Kingdom of
month, under the title: An Expert
ment in Monarchy" a vivid and
forceful picture of the political and
economical blunders which forced
upon the liberty loving Albanians a
form of government as unified to
their real needs as it was to their
political and social ideals. The Sec
ond paper in the series was study
of the international politics and pol
icies. the empiric ambitions, that
forced the German Government into
the madness of precipitating a gen.
eral war in Europe.
This paper opened general de-
bate, extending over two meetings.
of the conflict that is rapidly bleed
ing away the products of industrious
peace from the unhappy democracy
of the European nations.
The third paper of this series was
a comparison of the u. S., and
those of the European nations now
waging war one upon the other. In
this paper was brought out strong
ly the responsibility of aristocracy
in government for the masses; and
telling comparison was drawn be-
tween the wasted fields, the paraliz-
ed industries, of Belgium, of Poland
and of Serbia, on the one hand; and
Continued on page 81