Page 45 - 1919 September - To Dragma

38 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

were tried out. Two from Delta and one from Omicron proved very
popular and are worthy of special praise. I t will be but a few
months before Alpha Omicron Pi has a popular and harmonious
Songbook. Keep up the splendid work! Send in as many songs and
chapter parodies as you can.

PERSONAL CAMOUFLAGE

T H E war has introduced many new terms into our common every-
day speech and it has been the measure of revealing to us not
only those qualities that are strong and enduring in human nature,
but it has disclosed as well other elements that are not so worthy.
For instance, the term camouflage (the art of disguise) carried into
daily habits is not commendable, for it means deception. We can
but believe that the war has stripped away much that was unworthy
and artificial, and today the whole world is attempting to readjust
all human relations upon a basis of greater honesty. From early life
we stress too much the value of the artificial, superficial, and unreal.
Even little children learn from their elders to misrepresent or to
camouflage their purposes, and as we grow older, we see aspects of
this have grown dangerously popular, especially in commercial life.
I n the social realm, it is characterized by insincerity and unreality.
To try to be something one is not, to disguise the character in the
hope of gaining so-called social respectability, to play a role rather
than to live a life utterly real and natural, are widely prevalent
practices. Living beyond one's means might very properly be re-
garded as a form of camouflage, for it is an attempt to do that which
is unwarranted and harmful, yes, and dishonest.

The truth is sometimes hard to tell or hear, but by its shading or
camouflaging a character loses its value. The practice of camouflage
has no place in the finer paths of life. The commercial world, the
home, as well as our social relationships may seem to profit f o r a
time, but soon the truth seeks its level and the new wave of camouflage
gradually wears off the surface and it takes great work and assist-
ance to establish a new foundation for better living.

Whatever our act or thought, let it be known that at least the
college educated person, because of the advantages of careful guid-
ance and teaching, may detect the flaws in camouflage and resist all
its flattering appearances.