Page 16 - 1913 November - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 21

or richer or any such trivial, superficial, nothing of a reason,—
shouldn't we be glad that we escaped fellowship with them, since they
would surely be misfit? Those who prefer another chapter for some
honest preference or similarity of interests, shouldn't we compliment
them and be happy for them?

Let all rushing cease, I say. Allow every kind of untrammelled
friendship and friendly intercourse. Never choose a girl just because
another crowd does; and never deny yourself a girl you want for that
reason either. Let every fraternity girl follow her natural bent in
making friendships with the distinct understanding that the fra-
ternity is not responsible or in any way committed. Choose at leisure
and at any time. Treat all rival claimants with politeness and
perfect fair-play.

Let every chapter in Pan-Hellenic agree to conduct this game by
the rules of good sport i n every game, not by watching and hard-and-
fast rules only. Let the student body know that every girl has an
equal chance, because we are not i n a hurry, but want to find the girls
that seem naturally ours. Let is be understood that we offer them the
same privilege i n choosing us.

I realize, of course, that some choosing must be done early i n the
year by those chapters who live in houses. And of course there is
no reason why some such choosing should not be done early every-
where, other things being right. What I mean to advocate is this,
not giving ourselves the impression that this asking day is a fatal day,
that we must fill up now or never, that we must grieve i f we have
not asked our proper affinities at this time. Keep looking for our sort
all the time. The friendship that grows slowly is seldom the weaker
for that.

Whether the cures that I suggest appeal or not, this must be done:
the fraternities must earnestly and determinedly and immediately
seek the true cure and apply it. These weeds must not spread.
Nor must we be banished from our bowers of loveliness for their
unworthy sakes.

V I . — I t is said that fraternities are so interested in their internal
affairs as to neglect the general life of the college.

This is untrue as it stands and yet there is a lesson in it. I t is
false, because every fraternity is eager beyond all else to have its
members excel in all phases of the college life. Every fraternity cele-
brates such achievements by one of its number with a joy and heart-
someness that is one of the sweetest treasures of fraternity life. Fra-
ternity life stimulates to effort in this direction and is the mightiest
factor in developing both talent and ambition. Fraternity bonds