Denison University - Adytum Yearbook (Granville, OH)

Page 31 text:

— ,„.,,. «.„...., g I An Editorial Fear And Naivete On Display Here On Good F ' nday in Newark, 60 young Americans demonstrated for peace and returned to the plush creature comforts of Denison University. On the same day, half a world away in Vietnam, nearly 50 other young Americans demonstrated for peace and died. The Saturday report of the Friday local demonstration did not say that fewer than three per cent of Denison ' s students, fewer than two-tenths of one per cent of Newark ' s citizens and fewer than one-tenth of one per c ent of Licking County ' s citizens took part. The story did quote those who came prepared to be quoted. It did not quote, a spokesman for the vast majority who find it unnecessary to parade its support of America. Let us hope The Advocate speaks for the 99.3 per cent majority which allows this mini-minority to attempt justification for their weakness, fear and naivete through public display. They have a right — even the right to be wrong. They have a right to criticize. Will they have the maturity to accept criticism? We can understand their opposition to the Vietnam War — any war. They are of draft age. Their college deferment is quickly slipping away toward graduation. They want the pleasure and safety of peace. But then, so does every citizen, especially those Americans fighting in Vietnam. Those 500,000 citizens hate the war but their love of America is stronger. They fear dying, deplore killing and dread the hard- ships of war. But they understand that some Americans must risk everything to protect the rights and freedom his mini-minority takes for granted. Most of the men fighting in Vietnam aren ' t as well educated or as well fixed financially as Denison ' s mini-minority, but they are smarter about the price of freedom and richer in the character which has and will preserve America. None of us should forget that the biggest, most effective and most justifiable peace demonstration is daily staged in the rice paddies, mountains and skies of Vietnam. Those demonstrators must also -have their doubts about America ' s involvement in Viet- nam. Demonstrators here and in other cities also know that Amer- ica can ' t be extricated from it by the same mournful pleadings tantrums and cry-baby tactics these children of the mini-minority use to get a bigger allowance or better car out of papa. Denison is a great university. We are fortunate to have it in our community. Even in criticism of the three per cent mini- minority, The Advocate salutes and admires the 97 per cent of the students who demonstrate the personal discipline demanded of those who would master the high standards of a Denison education. Thank goodness the future leadership and change so vital to the preservation of America will come from that 97 per cent. In the meantime, let us hope the university ' s administration and mature faculty members can salvage some of the three per cent. We need their energy and dedication. Our doubts, fears and innate love of peace must not detract from this principle: Whether America is right or wrong, half a million Americans are fighting for their life, and ours, in Vietnam. They must not be deprived of the materials, moral support and understanding so necessary for the protection of their lives. The Advocate commends those Denison students who honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We suggest, however, that they lead a national movement to commemorate his birth. It is his birth and his great lessons of living which served America and Americans best.