From the Mailbag
IN SENDING GIFTS to the Alumni Fund manynotes and letters accompany contributions. Following are abstracts from some of the Fund's mailbag which we are privileged to publish this month.ED.
"I recall that in 1918, twenty-five years ago, I sent a similar gift to the Fund from the front line trenches northwest of Toul, France. Perhaps next year may find me in a similar spot, but I hope to remember the College just the same."12.
"Before leaving for active duty with the Army, my son asked me to see that a contribution was made in his behalf to the Alumni Fund for this year. "I am, therefore, enclosing herewith a bank draft for $50 to your order and would appreciate receipt for same, which I might file with his records."A '44 Mother.
"In memory of G. Washington here is $ for the Alumni Fund. I understand you are not refusing contributions from 'Fathers.' I am giving this now because I am certain I'll be broke when Mr. Morganthau makes up his mind how much he wants "—Captain U.S.N. (Ret.).
"It doesn't make much sense to be doubling my Alumni Fund contribution in a year when my taxes for six months work in civilian life exceed my entire 1943 income as an Ensign. Nevertheless, 'enclosed please find check.'....
"One reason for the increase is the fact that the Alumni Fund suddenly has taken on a new meaning for me. In years of peace, when the dollars came more easily, I tossed in mine as a fond gesture to the sheer unadulterated fun and good times that I'd had in four years of Dartmouth.
"But with this year's check goes a much deeper sense of gratitude. Now I realize that in a very real sense, I'd been underestimating the college—that I'd taken from Dartmouth much more than could be measured by pleasure.
"Possibly this check has a selfish motive. I want any son of mine to find at Dartmouth the same kind of equality of opportunity that I did and that he may never again in his lifetime find so unmarred. I want him to have the same chance to make the same kind of friends. I want him to enjoy four years at least in which he will be judged solely by what he says and does, and not what he has or who he is. In short, I want to help make sure that this most democratic of all colleges shall not suffer, as so many others are, in this war for democracy itself.
"Is this strangely serious for a copywriter used to choosing the light touch? Perhaps. Yet who isn't serious about Dartmouth these days. Even meeting a classmate is a thrill. I talked to an Ensign from Dartmouth for 15 minutes on the street this week—a fellow whose name I had forgotten but it was like meeting an old friend." 34 Ensign, USNR.
"Just one thought: It seems to me that a liberal arts education gives one as much background for the army, or whatever, as the disciplined background of the military schools. Let's keep it that way."'39 Lieutenant, AUS.
"Dear President Hopkins: "I have just read—on the very last page, incidentally, of one of the national weeklies—a commentary on the effect of the war on the small colleges. Alas, how out of position this was, considering the importance of the subject.
"While Dartmouth hardly qualifies as a 'small college,' I judge from news that I have received from there that its size will not save it from the full impact of the present emergency. But the article I mentioned reminded me of one of the first things my son told me when he returned from Hanover over for the holidays. He said that you had assured the departing students that as long as there are worthy men seeking what Dartmouth has to offer its doors will remain open to receive them.
"This was heartening news, though I fear I looked at it more subjectively than objectively, because it bolstered my high but, I hope, pardonable ambition for my son who wanted no less than I wanted him to have what no other member of my family, save one, has been able to get since the War between the States. But I believe I have demonstrated a sufficient degree of devotion to the public good to lay claim to at least a slight degree of objectivity. Moreover, being within not more than thirty days of voluntary entry upon active military duty in the field, and being anxious that my son respond cheerfully, which I am sure he will do, to the call to service which he undoubtedly will receive shortly, I think I may with propriety deplore and condemn as contrary to the public welfare the rapidly growing tendency of the Government to sacrifice all to science
"The military establishments and the world after these establishments have finished their job can no more get along without the output of the schools of liberal arts than man can 'live by bread alone.'
"The colleges of liberal arts must be saved for both the emergency of the moment and the future of freedom! I appreciate what you are doing toward this end." Parent of a Freshman.
"I still regard it as a privilege and pleasure to be able to lend some assistance, but because of the Red Cross, USO, and many needy war chests, I find it impossible to increase my contribution for '43 over that which I sent in '42. Therefore, will you please accept the enclosure and I assure you that if it is at all possible during the latter part of this year to further help along, I will not forget you ."—A '45 Father.
"Honestly I can't tell you how much I admire the wonderful attitude that seems to prevail there in Hanover and is so being written by various members of the college family. Knowing full well the character .... displayed in past difficulties, we would anticipate no less a showing, but the courageous way the college is facing today's unprecedented situation is mighty reassuring. Particularly heartening is the declaration that no matter how small the student body may become Dartmouth College will still offer that group the type of education that has been its strength throughout its history. That objective is darn important to my mind for no matter how urgent it may be for the curriculum to be adjusted to war expediency—and none can argue with the necessity for that adjustmentlet's at the same time keep our eye fixed on the long run values for which we are fighting this war—those values of self-expression and individual thought which are the basis of liberal education. As President Hopkins has well said, perhaps we went too far in our effort to promote 'individuality' in the twenty years before this war so far that individually we refused to believe what informed people told us of the true objectives of our present enemies until it was too late. Expensive as that failure may have been I still hesitate to grant that it was too great a price to pay for the other values which I think we as individuals possess as a result of the experience and opportunity to think for ourselves through the assimulation of an education—bookwise and otherwise—at Dartmouth.
"Declaring a policy and carrying it into effect are of course two separate and distinct problems and knowing well that the Alumni Fund must play an important part in the execution of the plan, I am anxious to know what you may have been able to work out'for the current campaign " '3B AUS.
"They say 'better late than never,' but I wonder if that tardiness covers to the extent of some eight months. If it's possible I would like to offer my bit to the Alumni Fund, and perhaps raise the standing of my class a small bit. I am extremely proud of my school, and feel a little ashamed in having let her. and my class down Unfortunately all mail addressed to my home was not forwarded to me. Just recently while home on a short leave period I received reams of correspondence and literature, so I shouldn't be judged too harshly. Enclosed find check—sorry I can't give more."—'40 Lieutenant.
"I enclose herewith my Alumni Fund check. Sorry it can't be bigger but I did manage to double last year's pittance. Hope to be able to do the same next year, whether Dartmouth is an Army camp or a liberal college and I trust it will be both.
I've climbed and bent birches in Hanover many and many a time; I was happier for the event and the birch snapped back and was none the worse for its assault. I visited Dartmouth and left it happier for the stay and Dartmouth carried on without ill effects from my contamination. The longer I am from Dartmouth, the longer I yearn to get back to bending birches in Hanover
"It is refreshing to take out time to think of other things for a minute than war. This epoch—like 1917 and 1918—will pass but Dartmouth will carry on and over the years the present dislocation will be forgotten as '75, '12, '43, '61-'65, and '98 are forgotten so far as the inroads on student body temporarily reduced attendance. You all have regimented yourselves to carry on the College without the exhilaration and fanfare that we in the services get with our regimentation but when it's all over, you will have maintained and increased true values, the earnest of our way of living. War and all its paraphenalia is so much martial drunkenness by comparison.
"Keep the old torch burning for us while we are away and may we adequately recompense you when we Lieutenant Commander, USNR.
