Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE LITERARY SO CITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. TERMS $1.50 A SESSION, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Entered as second-class matter November 20, i9o8, at the postoffice at Columbia, S. C., under the Act of March 3, 1879. THE GAMECOCK SOlicitS humorous sketches, essays, verses, etc., and will gladly pub lish such as is available, when accom panied by the full name of the author Unsigned manuscripts will neither be acknowledged nor returned. All checks and money orders should be made payable to J. P. Evans, Business Manager. Editorial Rooms in Flinin Hall. Business Manager, J. P. IVANS, ....... ...........Clo, S. C. Assistanit Business Manager, GEo. H. EnWARDs, JR...........Darlington BOARD OF EDITORS. K. Editor-in-Chic. L. K. IAGOOD, '12 .............. Bishopville Associate, SAm LATIMER, JR., '14...........Columbia Storting Editors, A. I. GREEN, '14...................Suniter M. S. BROnIUN, '13 ............ Wedgefield Local Editors, M. M. JOHNSON, '13..............Bethune WILFRID OFFICER, '14 ..........Eddy Lake Student Body Editor, J. B. MURPH"lY, '13................Arizona Law Editor, M . A. SHULER, '12....... .............. Y. Al. C. A. Editor, M. A. WRIGHT, '14...............Irenton ColunbIa, S. C., Jaiuiary 20, 1912. What Our Y. M. C. A. is Doing Those who heard William Jen nings Bryan in his masterful address on Sunday will recall that he defined civilization as "the harmonious de velopment of the human race" and characterized the Y. M. C. A. as the exponent of civilization in that it seeks to promote this "harmonious development" of the three-fold na ture of man. Physical, mental and spiritual growth is the great motto which this organization keeps ever before it. Because of the peculiar conditions which surround it, a college Y. M. C. A. is much more highly special ized in its activities than is the city association. The gynnasium and classroom being provided to foster physical and mental growth, the col lege Y. M10. C. A. gives itself wholly to the task of developing moral and spiritual fibre in the student body with which it works. Let us exam ine just a few of the things which this organization is doing for the University of South Carolina. First of all, it has called to the attention of the men of Carolina two very grave social problems which confront the nation to-day-the Negro qluestion andl the problem of governing wisely our great cities. These are two very real anid pressing p)rob)lemls, problemis whliich must be solved in part by every man at the Universityv. The Negro is here and in his present state he is a menace to our civilization ; what shall we do about it ? The great cities are here with their wvonderful p)ossibilities for good or evil influence; how shall we regulate the forces which propel them forward so that we shall secure clean and well-governed municipal ities? These are burning qutestions on wvhose solution may dlepend( the fate of a nation. Blid or preju (lice(l action urnid he fatal. Ttmo who took the two courses offered by the Y. M. C. A., as outlined above, may at least act in the light of a knowledge of facts. By its weekly Bible classes the Y. M. C. A. seeks to give those wvho desire it a knowledge of the greatest book in literature. Of course the Bible may be studied in the privacy of one's own room, but much is to be gained by personal contact and the interchange of ideas between individuals. The weekly meetings of this or ganization are designed especially to aid students in choosing their life works, to indicate opportunities for practical service, and to lead men into higher conceptions of life. These are but a few of the many things which it seeks to accomplish. It promotes a spirit of democracy in the student body. While it does not atteml)t to regulate conduct, its influence is always on the side of manliness and virtue. In a vord, the Y. M. C. A. seeks to serve and to implant the desire to serve. From the day when the freshman is met at the station by a courteous young man with a red ribbon in his coat, until the clay when he leaves, either with or without his diploma, the Y. M. C. A. stands ready and willing to serve. Carolina Needs a Song Book The Editor of Tin. GAMECOCK: Dear Sir: One of our greatest needs here at the University is for a book of Carolina songs. Practically every college of Carolina's age and size has such a book. Three alma mater songs have been submitted. lately and have been sung in public by the Glee Club. Four other songs of different kinds are being pre pared. In the Christmas issue of The Carolinian several songs of the old days at Carolina are reproduced. At least one of these, "Billy May bin's, 0," is a splendid drinking song and would be available. These eight would form a good working nucleus. Others would come to light rapidly. Sooner or later we must have a book of Carolina songs. '[he question is, has the time come to set to work on it ? Very truly, Reed Smith. In this communication Professor Smith has publicly expressed the sentiments that will nowv throb in the heart of every Carolina student. WVe have long felt the need of some thing in connection with our alma mater songs-it's a song book. WVe need more songs, we need more singing of the songs we have. and wve need something in the form of a song book that these songs may be more widlely distributed not only among the studlents but among the alumni and throughout the entire State. All these could be realized if wve only had this song book, and we feel safe in saying the time is here for beginning work on it. Several songs are now floating nrnunr1 the campus, some of past clays which have sweetened so with age can be reproduced, and several more will soon appear. As Prof. Smith says, these would form a working nucleus for the book. Music, as we all know, has always made a strong appeal' to man. h arouses within hit his strongest emotions of patriotism, loyalty and devotion. It vibrates every fiber of his being as he feels the thrill of the music. The energy, enthusiasm and that feeling of martial aggression that is bundled up within man is best brought out by music. Some of us can recall from our grandfathers' knee how the exultant paens of Dixie led them on to victory or defeat with the tune on their lips. The poet may express emotions in words, but unless it be set to music the truest loyalty and patriotism and deepest love can not be appreciated. The same is true of a college song. Nowhere else does music appeal more strongly than to the college man. College spirit in its truest sense, reverence for the past, love and hope for the future can only be expressed in a college song. It brings up the past, c1nnects it with the present and makes one grand unity. It causes an appreciable deepening of friendliness and neigh borliness among the students ai.,t a greater and a truer love for one's college. A good college song creates an inspiration, a sense of duty, and an anxiety to do something laudable for one's college. We all know how. invaluable our songs have many times been on the athletic field. In out-of-school days fond memories will always be attached to the songs we now have and will be cherished above all others. Let each one of us get behind this movement and get out a Carolina song book that will be distributed throughout the entire State. The singing of our songs in chapel should get more attention. Not only should they be frequently sung in chapel but on the campus and athletic field. Then this would be a greater Uni versity with a more united and brotherly body of students. Eximus Witlh this issue the editor and the staff puts aside the editor's pen and the duties of redaction are over. In doing this we have varied feel ings, sometimes pleasure, then again regret. Somehow we have found a genuine pleasure in the work, for the fond memories and happy ex periences have more than repaid us for our troubles. I cannot say that our position has been a sinecure, for as all editors (10, we have had our difficulties. In our hetereogenous body of students we findl men varied in interest and sentiments, such as only an editor can knowv. The college boor and snoh) here. we are glad to note, are fewv. T1he critic and the chronic knocker, though, can be dhivided into two distinct gronn)s The critic is one always welcomed. He suggests iilrovements and makes an editor feel that he is interested in the pub lication. But the chronic knocker knocks, knocks, and then knocks again without ever making any sug gestions. We have been very fortu nate in hearing from only a few of this type. The eagerness of some to see the Bird come out makes the e(litor feel good, even though the motive be an iml)lied compliment or because of the cultivated avidity for "dry" reading. The college publication is the true organ of expression. The staff should de)ict from an unbiased point of view the hapleings Oil the campus. They should en(deavor to accumulate reading matter as varied in character as the interests and sentiments of the students, so that all may be interested. During our administration everything has been subservient to this one purpose. If we have failed, we have (lone our best. Now let me thank each member of the staff for the earnest co-op eration they have given me. Taken as a whole it has been a splendid staff to work with. To the outside contributors and especially to the law department we owe much for their supl)ort. The kind treatment we have received from the printing (lepartment of The State Company has aided us materially in getting out the Bird and deserves mention. For the new staff we wish a happy reign, and trust that their troubles will be as pleasant as ours have been. We feel safe in saying that the Bird is in safe hands and it will have greater success than ever be fore. Style Columbia's Best Store To the College Chap who wants the newest and best in Cloth ing, Hats and Furnishings, will find them here. :-: :-: :.: 10% Discount to Students D. G. PERKINS, Campus Representative SCRUGGS & SWAN Phone 306 1404 Main St. COLUMBIA, S. C. Good Printing Is Claimed by Mvany but Attained by Few As an evidence that our skill in the Art of Printing deserve. the prefix good we submit this copy of THE GAMECOCK, which is a product of our plant TAe State Co. PRINTERS Co/umb;ia. S. C.