Editorial, published December 1, 1877 The recent practical joke on the part of our medical students, in the peppering of a meeting of the Liberal Club with strong Cayenne, in return for a supposed outrage, was one, which, we can only hope will be imitated on similar occasions in the future. Our reasons for this desire are, first, the fact, that it is necessary to impress the public with the fact that students are a particular class in the community, united by esprit du corps and ready to resent, in a fair way, any insult upon themselves, individually or as body. Secondly, the joke in question was not rowdy-like, as so many "student freaks" are apt to be. We have only condemnation to offer for such exhibitions as those of Rutgers and other colleges, where rioting and uproar are supposed to be "jolly good fun."

The freak of the medical students was really and strictly a joke--as rough and disagreeable to outsiders, as all practical jokes are apt to be, but not more so. It is right and proper that people should beware of incurring the displeasure of students in a body,--in all European university towns this is the case, and no one is the worse for it. Individually, students should have no special privileges, but collectively they have a right to some separation from the "Philistines" and it is time for Columbia students to assert this right,--though of course, no provocation should be give in any way. A case in point, however, is the sign, "C.O.L.U.M.B.I.A. Hotel" on a miserable grog shop opposite our college. The students should at once offer the proprietor to reimburse him for loss in changing the sign, and should levy a subscription for a purpose. Should the person in question refuse, measures should be taken to remove the sign by force;--though the proprietor should be paid the amount of his loss in any case. We trust that the students will under no circumstances, allow the disgraceful sign to remain in its present position. Here is a chance which some of our readers who are naturally troubled with superfluous quicksilver, should certainly not neglect.