GRADUS AD PARNASSUM
DARTMOUTH AGAIN FACES A WORLD CRISIS. Under this title, in this issue, is told by Prof. Wm. Stuart Messer, vice chairman of the Committee on Defense Instruction, the story of steps taken by the College to meet the tremendous emergency and to adapt itself to rapidly changing conditions. He states the background of 25 years ago. In this respect, and as a concise chronicle of attitudes and action in the College of the past year, his account is a valued addition to the record and provides most informative reading.
Mr. Messer's report of the situation in Hanover reveals how thoroughly has every feasible means of relating the work of the College to the emergency been studied. Steps have now been taken to make the college course as serviceable as possible to students, and opportunities to go further in that direction may be adopted in the future. The basis of action properly continues to be one of achieving the long range objectives of higher education, and also meeting the demands of the nation for greatly expanded armed and industrial forces.
There is a full awareness in Hanover of the need for rapid, but thoughtful, change that is definitely in line with what is required of those institutions and men who care about the present and the future of democracy.
BECAUSE DARTMOUTH is a liberal college, and the liberal is the free college, we are whole heartedly devoted to the defense of democracy's cherished freedom. Of all men who seek to save a way of life those who are college men should best understand what is at stake in the world struggle. If all men crave freedom it is the educated man who should see with clearest vision the hell on earth that life may become if stern measures are not taken to defeat the aggressors.
As college trained men we are the products of a vast educational system whose foundations are laid on the hardpan of political, religious, personal freedom. We have been taught to examine all sides of the question and then to use our minds for positive action. Having, for so long now, observed the struggle from a safe distance there are no alternatives to vigorous action.
As individuals we are not able personally to determine how vigorous shall be the action against the Axis Powers. But we are able, and, as men enjoying the finest fruits of an unfettered civilization, it is our obligation to strengthen the hands of those upon whose wisdom and determination we must rely, and to urge that their action shall be aimed at one objective-destruction of the Nazi tyranny.
IN HIS VALEDICTORY to the senior class last June President Hopkins said: "That is the responsibility of higher education in America today: to afford democracy a citizenry that will insist upon being well governed and will accept the government of those to whom it confides the task."
The potential influence of a body of educated men may be realized in this crisis that again grips the world. A unified front against forces that would kill the liberal college, and every worthwhile freedom, might well become our major objective as the College's 173rd year opens to the threat of graver times ahead. A determination that thought and action will be guided by such a spirit of unity among the alumni, faculty, officers, undergraduates, and friends of the College will demonstrate our vital concern for this country's way of life, and will have its effect upon the course of events.
