Page Two
COLUMNS
November 6, 1948
COli
VOLUME VIII
Number 1
Published by Louisburg College Students
five times during the collegiate year
Member of the Intercollegiate Press Association
STAFF OF COLUMNS
Editor Guthrie
Associate Robert Gayman
Managing editor T. H. Harris
Assistant Duffy Paul
News editor Neil Stout
Feature editor James Fleenor
News reporters Edward Bagley,
Zelda Coor, D. B. Peele
Men’s sports J. W. Perry, Jr., W. F. Steele
Women’s sports Mary Ruth Edwards
Exchange editor Vivian Proctor
Business manager Dan Wynn
Associate Thomas Patterson
Photographic manager William Clarke
Assistant Reuben Berry
Proofreader Peggy Manning
Copy reader E. B. Gentry
Make-up manager Claire May Broome,
Circulation managers Daphne Bryan,
Robert Johnston, John Stewart
Guest member—
Make-up manager Mildred Parks Bryant
Subscription rate for non-residents:
for collegiate year, $1.00; single copy, 15c.
SCRIPTURE
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.”
II Timothy 4:16
Absenteeism
The word absenteeism came into predominant
use during World War II when workers frequently
indulged in this practice. Absenteeism is gaining
an ever increasing foothold in our college. One
becomes aware of this fact by noticing the astonish
ing number of vacant seats during a Saturday
class. Sometimes there are as many as half a
class room of vacant seats. Football games seem
to attract a large percentage of students on Satur
day as does going home.
However, there can be no singling out of any
particular day where absences are concerned, for
the problem confronts us every day. In some cases,
there are perfectly legitimate reasons for being
absent; but in most cases there are not sufficient
grounds to warrant this action.
The new ruling that our school has adapted per
mits one unexcused absence for each semester hour
of credit. This ruling has been adapted for the con
venience of the students. It is imperative for every
one of us to refrain from abusing this privilege. At
tending classes is certainly a good way of keeping
grades on a high standard. The reason for our be
ing at college is not to miss all the classes we can,
but to attend classes regularly and learn as much
as possible while we have such a splendid oppor
tunity.
Love
Just what is love? Webster says that it is a
■•tender and passionate affection for one of the
opposite sex.” Others may have a better descrip
tion—many have different opinions or ideas. Some
say that it is something that hits you hardest when
you expect it least. However, it does seem to be
very peculiar in that one seemingly in love seems
to be very happy most of the time. COLUMNS thinks
that everyone should be in love. Now, please don’t
take us wrong. There are many versions of love,
COLUMNS’ being that of love for God and fellow-
man.
This type of love is not the same as that of two
young people sitting in a park gazing speechlessly
at the big, beautiful moon. No, man’s emotions go
much deeper into love than that. One who is really
in love with God and fellowman realizes a deep
sense of devotion—deeper than one could imagine
unless he has experienced the deeper sense of love.
The lack of this type of love has caused much of the
worldly chaos of this day.
If mankind were to gain that emotion of deep
love, the great problems and misunderstandings
among nations would become as water over the
dam—gone and forgotten forever.
Let's Cheer
Yes, we know this seems to be a strange time to
speak on school spirit, but as the old saying goes,
"A stitch in time saves nine.” ,
Students may remember that L. C. was not too
successful with its basketball team last year. Prob
ably one of the major reasons was that the team
was not encouraged enough by the student body.
Cheers arose only when the home team led in points.
A loyal fan cheers on his team not only when it is
ahead, but also when it is behind. In that way, a
team realizes that it has backing and will try hard
to come out on top. A team greatly needs all the
encouragement that can be given. Good players
alone cannot win a ball game: they must have the
support of the student. Last year’s team received
only a little of that much-needed backing.
A Surprise to Remember
The day was Wednesday, November 3, 1948. The
rain was quietly falling on the brown apparel of the
slumbering oaks; the tall white columns of old
Main faded upward into the bleakness of the over
cast sky. All nature’s realm was calm, unperturb
ed by the great news that had climaxed an all-
night tension for those who listened attentively to
their i-adios in the hope of learning the answer to
a vital question—one which was on the minds of
more than a billion people the world over.
Suddenly it had come. In a mere three minutes
the voice in the loud-speaker made an announce
ment that plunged Louisburg College and the na
tion of which it is a part into a mixed atmosphere
both of genuine rejoicing and of reluctant con
cessions. While most students and teachers receiv
ed the tidings with great joy and satisfaction, certain
members of the faculty mechanically walked the
halls with a glassy look in their eyes. For, con
trary to many national polls, the Democratic Party
had won the 1948 elections: Harry S. Truman was
to continue in office, as thirty-third President of the
United States.
Auditorium Etiquette
(Excerpts from an editorial by Sara Davis (’42)
published in COLUMNS . . . March 13, 1942.)
An artist who once visited Louisburg College
made a statement that, though his back was turned
to a portion of his audience, he was aware of the
inattention of some persons present . . .
Doubtless a person possessing the stage presence
of a concert artist would hardly be seriously hamp
ered ... by even this feeling of not being appre
ciated. But consider the plight of an amateur in
the same position—a fellow student whose poise
depends largely upon the response of his audience.
However . . . there remains the fact that the several
students who gave the performer reason to feel
their lack of interest were being rude . . .
Another offense common in almost all audiences
is that of rattling programs. Even the most sophis
ticated audiences are guilty of this offense. One
great conductor habitually has his programs print
ed on silk paper because the sound of programs in
motion is disturbing to him. A program, no mat
ter how large, can be handled quietly or, at least,
let alone. This consideration is but another point
of respect to a performer—and to one’s finer self.
Applause ... is the accepted way of expressing
appreciation in this part of the world. When to
applaud, however, is a point of etiquette of which
a knowledge is necessary. Two errors in particular
are common. First, one must not applaud for a
sacred selection of any kind. Appreciation of this
type is better shown by a hushed silence. The second
is . . . clapping between the movements of a single
work. Many artists rather expect this response
from student audiences, though it is truly a mark
of a person untutored in auditorium etiquette and
unfamiliar with the form of musical works. To pre
vent the interruption, some artists are care
ful to remain in the position of performing with
hands upon the instrument, to inform the out-of
place clapper that he is not ready for his ap
plause. . .
Being a good audience is an art, a means of cultur
ed attainment, a mark of real refinement. Audi
torium etiquette is important.
polling §tone
(Exchange Column)
It’s always easy to support a winning cause (or
a winning team), but what about the times when
the breaks go bad for the boys ? Can they still
count on us then?” The Tiger, Clemson College.
“As long as a student in our county is deprived
of educational advantages that are available to a
student of a more prosperous county, then no
true equalization of education exists.”
The Appalachian, Appalachian State Teachers Col
lege “Isms”.
Socialism—You have two cows. You give one to
your neighbor.
Communism—You have two cows. You give both
to the government, and the government gives
you part of the milk.
Capitalism—You have two cows. You sell one and
buy a bull.
Nazism—You have two cows. The government
shoots you, takes the cows.
The Stetson Reporter, Stetson University, Florida
“. . . the dictionary gathering dust in the cor
ner of the room ... is the most objective piece
of writing ever done.” Scholastic Editor.
The time to write is immediately after getting a
story, while all details are still fresh and vivid. The
longer the wait the harder to write and the duller
the story.—Scholastic EMitor.
Good manners are to a good character what a
dessert is to a good meal.—Creek Pebbles, Campbell
College.
Some people get results; others get consequences.
The Martinet, Martin College, Tenn.
Keep your mind alert and flexible, but form opin
ions when you have obtained a reasonable number
of facts and are familiar with conflicting points of
view.—Clay Cross, “Straight Thinking,” the
American Observer.
Can’t is a coward who is too lazy to try.
—Creek Pebbles, Campbell College.
Now, everyone likes to be on the winning side.
COLUMNS suggests, if you are normal and want
to be on the winning side that you give your team
your wholehearted support. Get in there and root
with all your heart. Your team will appreciate
your support and try harder with good student
cheering.
Ode to Louisburg
Since the reading of “Ode To
Louisburg,” by Eliz.ibeth Harris at
the alumni banquet of the 1944
commencement and the reading by
Sara Davis at the 1944 home
coming banquet the following
October, the degree of interest
manifested in “Ode To Louisburg”
has seemed to justify an annual
reprinting of the poem.
(NOTE: “Ode To Louisburg”
traveled perhaps five thousand
miles in the sumer of 1943 to reach
Louisburg College—traveled from
the then disturbing scene of North
Africa, which stood in sharp con
trast to the quiet of the campus
that the poem commemorates. The
lines are from a former son of
the college to hearts that have
been warmed at this altar built of
words deep from the heart of the
poet.
The war-world scenes close to
him at the time of the writing have
no echo in the poem.
The writer is now working on
his doctorate at the University of
Pennsylvania. Through the years,
though, his love for his junior-
college Alma Mater seems to re
main. It is here inscribed by the
then soldier alumnus of the class
of 1942, whom in 1946 COLUMNS
was for the first time privileged
to name as the author of ‘‘Ode To
Louisburg.”—Dan MacFarland.)
(In loving honor of those who
were the companions with me at
Louisburg, 1941-1942.)
* * *
Seated high upon a rock
Above the greatest of all seas.
Resting quietly—almost dream
ing—
I thought I saw a dream.
A score of men and maybe more
With brick and mortar built
A perfect-fashioned, graceful wall
And covered it with roof—
Built a perfect wall
And finished all within.
Upon the front four lovely columns
Pointing straight into the sky.
Pointing up and to perfection—
A perfect symbol for the bold.
T saw a hundred acorns
Split open; and from out
Came a hundred mighty oak
trees—
Tall, majestic, and straight—
Mighty oaks with faultless arms
Arching high as if in prayer.
Or bending gently to the ground
In submissive humility.
For even they must know
They were on holy ground.
Then came six generations—
Grandparents, mothers, fathers—
And after them the long, long lines
Of all their countless children,
Each with purpose on his face.
Young maidens, gay with youthful
ness.
And vigorous boys, with ardor
For the tasks that lay ahead
From all their throats
Came forth a mighty song,
A mighty song, which roused my
soul
And brought back memories:
“Alma Mater, sheltering college.
Thou hast been our guiding friend.”
And within that group I seemed
to see
My mother, young and gayer
Than all the rest that day.
Her cheek was an apple blossom.
And I heard her sing with joy:
“Stand, old college, Alma Mater;
Through the changing years
abide.”
Then the multitude of people
Went up upon a seat
Of heavy granite, massive steps.
And into an open door;
But after them the open door
Was ever opened wide
For future generations
To come and there abide.
Next came a mumbled sound from
in.
Of French and Latin verbs—
Of Shelly, Yeats, and Milton;
Of Villon and Hugo;
Of Lowell, Poe, and Whitman;
Of Moses, Paul, and John—
Read by classes filled with fervent
zea]
For knowledge of the best.
There was the sound of formula
And elements combined.
These were the sounds of learning
Coming through an open door.
Thoughts of a Week End
Off Campus
When I start thinking about go
ing home for the week end I us
ually go. Homesickness is a dis
ease of the mind that overcomes
one’s will power and too often
I am subjected to this disease.
After some deep thinking about
a week end off campus, my heart
leaps with wild anticipation. Often
times I lie in bed thinking abont
the coming day, visualizing famil
iar scenes of gathered friends. The
night soon passes on, and morn
ing comes. When the first rays of
sunlight touch my counterpane, I
awaken. The contemplated trip has
rejuvenated my tired body.
After I sit through one class,
partially unconscious, the bell
rings and so starts my journey
homeward.
A dilapidated bus takes me from
Louisburg to Rocky Mount. On
the elongated journey many
strange characteristics are ob
served of the people that get on
and off the bus. The trip proves
to be quite an amusing incident
in my travel home.
A change of buses takes place
in Rocky Mount. It’s quite a
change from the Louisburg bus
to a Carolina Trailways. From here
on the trip will be quite comfort
able.
An hour passes; the bus draws
near Hamilton, letting me off at
the bus stop. A few swift steps
bring me to the front gate. From
the gate to the front door I just
walk on air.—H. M. Peele, ’50.
College Cafeteria
Last summer I worked in our
new cafeteria, and I think one
part of it belongs to me. Every-
time that I am in the cafeteria I
begin to think of those days when
I was working in it. I remember
how many hours I spent waxing
the floor and painting the walls
and the ceiling, but these are
pleasant thoughts.
The cafeteria always will be a
place of friendship and good rela
tions among the students from dif
ferent states of the United States
and foreign countries. — Orlando
Fransi, ’49.
Making there a soft brown carpet
For man to walk upon.
The birds flew south,
And the snow came down
Enclosing all within—
A little coat of loveliness—
And then the rains came down.
Now there was the smell of burn
ing leaves
And freshness of cool green;
The birds came back again
And filled the air with song
Thus came the seasons.
And thus they went again.
They came and went;
They came and went
Until the bricks grew mellow.
And the trees grew big with age.
Ever was the sound of hammer
The swish of brush and saw;
And the columns stood—
Straight, clean, and tall—
A symbol for the brave.
Ever came the sound of laughter
And the buzz of busy man.
During war it was most silent.
But, when came joy and peace.
It reached a mighty tempo—
The crescendo of a symphony,
The tones of sacred music.
The wind came from the Atlas—
I stirred and woke from sleep,
And far below the sea beat hard
And lashed upon the beach.
It seemed it sang an old refrain.
That song I love so well:
“Stand Old College,
Stand Old College,
Stand Old Colege, strong and
great.”
And then it seemed I clearly saw
Time come down, and leaves
Upon the trees floated gently to
the ground.
A sea gull floated high above—
Above in the blue, blue sky—
And called its shrieking mating
call
To its mate somewhere beyond,
But I heard it indistinctly—
My thoughts were far away;
There was a tear of pride upon my
cheek.
And with the waves of the Medi
terranean
I sang the old refrain;
“Stand old college, Alma Mater;
Through the changing years
abide!”
PL de CC, class of ’42
Algeria, 1943.