Page:The Fraternity and the Undergraduate (1923).pdf/51

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

tical campaign, where opposing candidates go the limit in making unsupported accusations against each other.

The newspapers do not help the situation; they exploit eagerly every trivial circumstance or difference which arises between Greeks and independents. They enjoy a fight. The public believes what it reads, and forms its opinions upon false data. With regard to these things as with regard to many similar ones, it is not difficult to prove almost anything if one does not demand too many illustrations. The most worthless loafer I know in college this year is a fellow who is working his way and dependent upon his own resources for every cent he spends. Neither this one instance, nor a half dozen others would prove, however, that the man who works his way through college is a loafer. The most dissipated, extravagant spendthrift with us last semester was an independent, but no one thinks of blaming his conduct upon the fact that he did not join something; no more should we usually blame another man's downfall upon the fact that he did.

It will not be very difficult to conclude that from my viewpoint there seems little that is pertinent to say with reference to the relationships which exist or would exist between fraternity men and those who are not affiliated with such an organi-