In the days of goodwill between fraternities and their chapters, it is almost impossible to imagine the opposition to the establishment of this youngest chapter of the youngest fraternity then represented at Kenyon. A new chapter of another fraternity had been installed on the Hill only a year before. There were less than 60 men in the college. The older fraternities represented at Kenyon feared that if the new chapter, Chi, were to live, sooner or later one or more of their number would die – a foreboding that came to pass 15 years later.
The first move of the opposition was to petition the faculty to order Chi to disband. During several faculty meetings, this petition was ardently, even fiercely, debated. One professor, himself a member of the Yale chapter of one of the rival groups, held out for the recognition of Chi. His citing of the argument of Gamaliel won the day. Without his support, infant Chi Chapter would have died aborning.
[This unnamed advocate was none other than the author’s father, Professor George C.S. Southworth. W.C.S.]
Since it proved impossible to kill Chi by faculty action, efforts were made to “jump” the individual members of Chi. Alluring prospects of social and financial benefits, both in Kenyon and especially throughout their careers after graduation, were artfully offered to several, perhaps all, of the Chi initiates.
Now, securely entrenched behind the bulwarks of the powerful defense provided by 60 years of growth and achievement, as well as the support offered by our 80-year-old national fraternity, composed of men honored and trusted the country over, it is well-nigh impossible for Chi men or other Delts of today to realize the force of such an appeal to self-interest.
Remember! In 1881, the fraternity was scarcely more than 20 years old – much too young to show more that a faint indication of its future greatness. In fact, a much-used argument, employed by her enemies in the ’80s, was the statement, made brazenly at first, and later by insinuation, that Delta Tau Delta was not, in truth, a national fraternity.
Let it be emblazoned in gold, to the everlasting glory of the founders of Chi Chapter and their successors, that there was but one member who “jumped.”
Chi Chapter faced, however, a third threat to its continued existence. The college enrollment continued to be so small and consequent competitive struggle for pledges was so keen that in the late ’80s but one member of Chi remained in college. But what a man he was!