Page 98 - 1913 November - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 103

consider the ease, f r o m the outside at least, w i t h which the adverse legislation
was laid away, sufficient justification f o r any practices that appeal to them.

The period that is to follow at once is to be one of unsettled probation
for the f r a t e r n i t y . I feel confident that the system w i l l be justified i n the
eyes of the good people of the state before that time has come to a close.
The country has had its attention called to fraternities in an unfortunate man-
ner but everywhere the chapters are beginning to realize their collective
responsibility and to so order themselves. The efforts of the opposition i n Ohio
have brought i n their train the ill-feeling and antagonism usually engendered
by unreasoning destructionist propoganda. Because of this, personal relations
may be embittered for several years to come. But no one having the welfare
of the fraternity at heart and with the proper perception of the real ideals
of the system, can do aught but look upon the recent agitation as a blessing
in disguise. Its effect has been far-reaching and the end is not yet in sig^it.
Those who would tear down the superstructure of fraternalism have succeeded
i n sinking the foundations deeper to the bedrock of broad-minded and practical
brotherhood. T o our enemies we must express our sincere gratitude for the
introspection they have forced upon us and the consequent awakening that
has attended i t .

Texas—Almost coincident w i t h its opening, the first college f r a t e r n i t y was
established at the University of Texas, for in the f a l l of 1883 a charter of
the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity was granted to a body of applicants. Today
in the University of Texas there are twenty fraternities and eight sororities.

U n t i l the present year there has never been any opposition to college f r a -
ternities at the University of Texas. The most cordial and friendly feeling
has always existed between the fraternity and the non-fraternity students;
and i t may t r u t h f u l l y be said that they have "dwelt together in peace and har-
mony." The University of Texas is a thoroughly democratic institution. I n
this school a man is graded by what he is, not by what he has o f this world's
goods nor by what his ancestors may have been or done. A careful examina-
tion would readily disclose that the closest and most lasting friendships formed
i n the university are between fraternity men on the one hand and non-fra-
ternity men on the other. I t is absolutely true that no line o f demarcation
whatever is drawn either in the way of social activities or any f o r m o f col-
lege l i f e between the fraternity and non-fraternity students; and when the
truth is known about the anti-fraternity legislation at the University of Texas
i t w i l l be found that college politics is at the botom of i t all. A few non-fra-
ternity men, constituting themselves as leaders o f the non-fraternity element
in the university, endeavored to organize this element and to lead a fight
which had for its purpose the removal of fraternities f r o m the university
in order that they might thereby profit f r o m a political standpoint.

T o this end a committee known as the executive committee of the non-fra-
ternity students adopted a resolution at a mass meeting of non-fraternity
students held at the University of Texas January 8, 1913. T h i s resolution
was as f o l l o w s :

"Whereas, we, the non-fraternity students o f the University of Texas,
believe that the f u r t h e r existence of fraternities and sororities is detrimental
to the best interests of this university; and whereas the question of their
abolition is to be considered i n the coming session of the legislature,

Therefore be it resolved, that we in mass meeting assembled do hereby
respectfully petition that the present faculty and board of regents of the uni-