1905-06 Volume 30 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 141and class feeling is so entwined about its vitals that no surgicaloperation can remove it without endangering the subject'slife, it will remain to cause death ultimately.As for myself, I am a disciple of the French revolution.As such, I really have no place in defending the Greek letterfraternity system. And yet I love my fraternity, I love mychapter. As I think what they have meant to me, I feel theforce of Charles Dudley Warner's words when asked to writea defence of his fraternity. "Defend my fraternity! I couldas soon think of defending the sunlight, and I cannot get myselfinto the proper mood to do either." As a disciple of theFrench revolution and a believer in the brotherhood largerthan the largest college fraternity, I would that the collegefraternity might be for all. Much as I love my fraternity, Ideplore the reactionary tendencies for which the system stands.We can never rid the world of-selfishness, of privileges, but ifwe could keep one corner of it free for noble ideals, if collegecould still be a place of noble illusions, life would be betterin this country. In monarchical Britain, in despotic Russia,the university has been the well-spring of democracy that hasrefreshed the nation. Alas, iu this country the Greek-letterfraternity sullies the fount. I dismiss as matters of no moment,and not worthy the time to explain or refute them, allthings else said against the system in the face of this mostserious charge that it vitiates the spirit of college democracy.FRATERNITY AND SORORITY TORTS.The long list of prominent men and women named on therolls of Greek letter organizations is a strong indication thatthese organizations have wrought much good. Chapter houseshav% evidently been centers of character and culture. Lifefriendships of the highest value are formed there, productiveoften of great social advantages. The desire to uphold thestanding of one's fraternity stimulates to excellence as anathlete or as a scholar. In a word, properly organized anddominated by high ideals, fraternities are capable of inestimablegood, both to their members and to.the institutions oflearning with which they are connected.Yet evils in fraternity life are apparent, at least in localities,which, if they are not corrected, bid fair greatly toimpair the influence of these bodies.Early "rushing" is one of these. A student's first weeksat college are distracting enough at best. He needs all his