Obligations of Alumni

The following excerpt is from the address delivered by Robert Proctor '19 ofBoston, on behalf of the alumni, at theannual meeting of the General AlumniAssociation, June 20.

I TURN to mutual obligations of Administration, Faculty and Alumni which merit attention in these stormy times.

We have all lived through a period when Communism, once honestly believed by some to be a political philosophy with promise of benefit to the world, has justly become a synonym for subversion for conspiratorial advancement of foreign designs, hostile to our form of government and our institutions. We have seen satisfactory proof that our Government has, to a degree, been infiltrated by persons acknowledging loyalty to a hostile force and accepting its discipline. We have seen this infiltration, for obscure reasons, first dismissed as non-existent by some in authority and then covered up. Few can honestly deny that the evidence leading to these conclusions was developed by men filled with righteous indignation with great difficulty and over influential opposition. Whether the opposition stemmed from inability or unwillingness to believe, desire to protect a record, faulty judgment or lack of conviction as to the institutions and future of our country may be impossible to establish. But the long-term existence of that stubborn opposition cannot be denied.

As the existence of subversion came to light despite determined and highly placed opposition, we have seen a violent swing o£ the pendulum. Sincere men have perhaps magnified the peril. Men of less sincerity have used it for personal and political advantage. It must be clear, however, that both have reflected the deep concern of a broad segment of our people. But in that pendulum swing we see men attacked for associations undoubtedly innocent, for relationships long past, for views once expressed but no longer held. We see the development of procedures which must concern every lawyer, under which servants or consultants of Government may be found disloyal or security risks without opportunity to hear the testimony against them or to confront or cross-examine the witnesses. First-hand experience under these circumstances in the defense happily successful —of a distinguished scientist, of whose complete loyalty and security I was wholly satisfied, has led me to dread the continuance or further development of such techniques. I tell you it is a terrifying experience to defend' a man's reputation and honor when the evidence against you consists of papers in an envelope on the table before the tribunal, which you cannot see and the contents of which you cannot know.

On the other hand, we have the disturbing spectacle of present and former Government servants, and persons engaged in intellectual pursuits, taking refuge in the Constitutional privilege against self-in-crimination on questioning as to mem bership in the Communist Party, and even as to participation in espionage. We are entitled to think that the claim of privilege is either an admission of shocking guilt or a piece of exhibitionism devoid of legal justification.

Because there are undoubtedly teachers who, with good will but little sense, have continued to look on Communism as a political theory divorced from Party discipline; because there are undoubtedly teachers who have in earlier and more innocent days held Party memberships; and because there are undoubtedly teachers who have affirmatively abused their positions to further aims of the Party and its foreign sponsor; this storm now centers over our colleges and universities.

Blasts of hysteria blow from each side of the storm area. According to one gust, faculties are honeycombed with subversive propagandists rather than teachers seek- ing truth. According to another current, academic freedom and freedom of speech justify a scholar's every course in his teaching and non-teaching activities; deny to constituted authority and even to college administration the right to inquire and the power to act; and warrant classification of every investigator without distinction between demagogue and wise and just seeker of facts as a witch-burner.

On the one hand, many do not recognize the truth, now fairly obvious, that while subversive influence has been found in some institutions, those involved represent a tiny fraction of the generally wise and devoted teaching profession. On the other hand, many discount entirely the potential dangers to American education and to the country of excessive brilliance combined with egotism, insufficiently leavened with appreciation of American institutions and with common sense.

Heavy responsibilities rest upon the Administration and Faculty to assure the maintenance at Dartmouth of a market place which, in our President's words, honors "the principles by which truth is ceaselessly sought through the exposition, exchange and evaluation of ideas by men of honest and independent minds."

The Alumni look to these groups to assure that those who teach at Dartmouth are selected not solely on the basis of intellect and technical teaching capacity, but, as well, on character; on understanding of the history and reasons underlying this country's institutions; on respect for the opinions of others; and on that indefinable quality which we call common sense. When I say this, I do not suggest that this has not been Dartmouth's process in the past. We who have known the College atmosphere in both the distant and recent past have every reason for conviction that this course has been undeviatingly followed. We have also, however, reason to think that other centers of learning have not as consistently followed the same star. We may therefore express our hope and conviction that not one, or a few, but all of these criteria be constantly and emphatically before those entrusted with the long-term development of Dartmouth education.

The Alumni have reason to be proud of John Dickey's radio address of March 15, 1953 to the College. On these problems this statement was the most forthright and comprehensive made by any head of an institution up to that time; and I know of none since published which better expresses what I believe to be the convictions of the Alumni body....

I do not know where we of the Alumni could seek, or how we could find, a clearer or more forthright recognition than this of the obligations to which I have referred which are obligations not only to us the Alumni but to education, to the country and to the world.

As Alumni, what of our own obligations to the Administration and Faculty in these perplexing matters? Our obligations are also heavy; but only if we carry them out with will and wisdom do we deserve the best from Administration and Faculty.

It seems to me that, in our relationship to the College in particular and to higher education and to citizenship in general, these times call for our highest exercise of the common Dartmouth attributes of which I have, in some measure, boasted.

If we may claim capacity for youth, let us all, of whatever age, retain youth's receptiveness to new ideas and desire to explore them.

If we may claim independence and selfreliance, let us apply these qualities of the mind to these problems and confusions, unaffected by prejudice and extremism, and appreciative of honest independence in others with whom we do not agree.

If we may claim respect for the work and responsibilities of others, let us show in full measure understanding of and confidence in the work and responsibilities borne by our Faculty and Administration -let us not be carping critics of details with which, with less than full knowledge, we may not agree.

If we may claim a sense of humor, which is synonymous with tolerance and perspective, let us keep it fully operative upon ourselves and upon those of prejudice and violence.

If we may claim belief in the freedoms -not some but all the freedoms-guar-anteed by our country's institutions, let us exert ourselves to protect those institutions from subversion and from their misuse by those acting in bad faith; but let us, in temporary stress, stand against encroachment on freedoms which are the essence of those institutions.

If we may claim affection and gratitude for our Dartmouth years, let us, in opposing subversive influence, recognize the care and thoughtful distinctions required to preserve liberal education in its fullest sense at Dartmouth and throughout the world.

ROBERT PROCTOR '19 of Boston, who spoke on behalf of the reuning alumni at the General Association meeting held in the gym on June 20.