Letters

The Eberharts: One Marvelous Family

I thoroughly enjoyed James Cox's and Jay Parini's articles on Richard Eberhart (Sept. Magazine) and would like to share with you a few childhood memories I have of the Eber-harts.

I grew up five houses down from this marvelous family at the end of Fraternity Row. My earliest memory of the Professor is that of him driving a rickety old station wagon down Webster Terrace with a pipe in his mouth and his dog, Rock, racing madly beside him. I was a schoolmate of Gretchen, his youngest child, and I would eat many a meal at their house. I doubt that the Eberharts ever dined alone; there was always a guest present. (I remember around the age of 10, we shared a meal with an English nobelman. We were discussing ancestry. English . . . Irish

. . . Scottish . . . when it came to my turn, I replied proudly, "Waleish." It was a source of amusement for the family for some time.)

As kids, we used to love the poet's study. It even had a doorbell outside and the most marvelous little bathroom inside. I do remember feeling immensely proud of Gretchen's dad who had won the Pulitzer Prize, without really understanding the enormity of it all. Little did I know then what an important place we were using for hide and seek.

I often accompanied the Eberharts to Cambridge. Twenty-two years ago they took me to a Hasty Pudding Show and I had no idea what was going on, but the Professor laughed so, that I knew something was good. It wasn't until years later I discovered that all those girls were really men! And if you think the trip from Hanover to Cape Rosier is a long one, try riding with Mr. Eberhart. More than once he would pull over, get out, and write in his little notebook on the hood of the car. Forever the poet. And then there was "The Reve," a faithful boat captained by a man in a duckbilled cap who adored her. They would take us chugging around the Maine coast while we watched the porpoises dance in the bay. I had the unique experience, too, of sharing a Christmas holiday with the Eberharts in Schonreid, a village high in the Swiss Alps. The Professor and Betty never lost their temper when I discovered I'd left my passport, airline ticket, and entire pocketbook in Geneva, four hours away. (Luckily they could blame my stupidity on my age.) I've seen some fancy footwork on the ski slopes over the years, but the only man I know who can ski down anything while smoking a pipe is Mr. Eberhart. I still treasure the poem he wrote of our travels that Christmas.

My life with the Eberharts was always such a celebration, and Dartmouth College is fortunate to have this jolly poet associated with its English department, the world is fortunate to have his poetry, but I, I am the most fortunate of all.

Yarmouth, Me.

Toleration and the Liberal Arts

I read with interest the letter published in the October issue of the Alumni Magazine written by George Lester 'BO concerning the Review. Despite his somewhat fuzzy and certainly undeveloped assertions about the "bottom line" of an institution's excellence being the quality of leadership it produces (by his logic West Point exceeds Dartmouth's excellence by a mile as measured by U.S. presidents, with all due respects to Dr.Thayer), and despite his desires to "spread the word about Dartmouth's excellence and about the Review's "misrepresentations," what troubled me the most was his summary dismissal of the Review's ideas as a desire to "turn the Baker tower clock back on Dartmouth's values to the all-male,all-white, country club days of yesteryear."

Mr.Lester seems to imply that the Review represents a threat to the excellence of the liberal arts institution that is Dartmouth. "Dartmouth could slowly become a second rate institutional anachronism known for corporate executives, football teams, wild par ties, and absolutely nothing more. This is a grim scenario, but possible," he asserts. In the truest sense of the word, "liberal" refers to an individual or institution that is tolerant of views other than his or its own and is willing to either accept or reject ideas on their merits, not because of some preconceived set of biases. While one may reject some or all of the positions that the Review is asserted to have taken, this rejection should be logical, not dogmatic. To attempt to silence alternative debate simply because the views taken do not coincide with one's own is intolerance at its worst. It does not matter if this intol erance comes from the right of the ideological spectrum or from the left.

The issues that the Review raises are worth considering. Perhaps we should keep Af- firmative Action and minority programs at Dartmouth, but we should be willing to listen to other reasoned points of view. I have heard interesting arguments that minority studies programs tend to perpetuate differences rather than solve problems. This discussion is certainly valid in a liberal arts institution.

I apparently do not agree with him concerning the "long dropped" (has it been so long since I graduated?) "Indian" symbol. I regret the College's decision to abandon the symbol because I never felt that its use was demeaning to American Indians at all. I was rather proud to be a Dartmouth Indian. I am not proud to be associated with alumni who feel that all points of view are not open for discussion and solicit action to squelch a particular one that they find inconsistent with their own beliefs.

New York, N.Y.

Sinking the Fraternities?

I have put off writing this letter for quite some time now and despite risking being another "voice crying in the wilderness," in the face of the current administration's policies toward fraternities, I am disposed to offer my comments.

While I do not pretend to know all of the circumstances that have precipitated this current policy, and while I am fully cognizant of the kind of excesses and inequities that can evolve from fraternities in general, I am very saddened by the prospect of an administration which seems bent on removing the fraternity experience from Dartmouth's "menu" of opportunities.

I suspect my peers and I at Kappa Sigma, during the late 50s and early 60s, had as much to do with abusing the system and causing concern within the faculty and administration as any other generation of fraternity men. Nevertheless, I must frankly admit that fraternity life was at the very heart of my Dartmouth experience and, in retrospect, I consider it was one of the most important contributions to a truly rewarding college education.

I read Fred Pfaff's recent contribution to your magazine, "Rumblings on Fraternity Row/' where he quotes President McLaughlin's comments to a convocation audience. He apparently notes that "intellect, leadership, and judgment are best nurtured in an environment that permits mistakes." I believe these comments are .appropriate in this context.

While the administration must supervise fraternity conduct and punish offenders, they,in my judgment, and I suspect in the judgment of scores of other alumni, will cause irreparable harm to Dartmouth's overall lifestyle and future credibility by imposing coercive policies and by seeking to destroy the fraternity system, as we have known it for generations, altogther.

Houston, Texas

The Dartmutts

A recent issue of the Alumni Magazine carried an article about the rejection of the traditional Indian symbol. This one predicted that the timber wolf would be substituted for the Indian on future team uniforms.

I wonder how long it will take opponents and so called sports writers to refer to our athletes as "Dartmutts." And how about the girls?

Lacy, Wash.

The Symbol (cont.)

In recent months we've seen startling developments regarding support for the Indian symbol at Dartmouth. For example,hundreds of Indian "T"shirts are being worn on campus. And an astonishing survey conducted by The Review shows that 90 percent of Indian chiefs, nationwide, favor the return of our Indian symbol.

Because the College's symbol used to provide such emotional and, yes, even physical stimulation, I decided to find out about the symbol preferences of Dartmouth male athletes! The alumni may be interested in the results of that poll.

The survey was conducted by mail. Participating athletes were asked to check the symbol of their preference in a list that included these symbols: Moose, Indian, Timber Wolf, Viking, Green Knight, Warrior, Raider, Buck, and Big Green. Unlike many poll surveys, they were given the opportunity to write comments, too.

Seventy-six percent want the Indian as Dartmouth's symbol. Nine percent want the Timber Wolf and six percent prefer the designation Big Green. The remaining nine percent are divided with almost equal insignificance among Moose, Warrior, Raider, Buck, Viking and three write in preferences, Tomahawks, Wolf, and Green. None want Green Knight. (Complete statis- tical breakdowns published in The Review.)

A whopping 70 percent of the respondents were moved to write about the symbol plight at Dartmouth. And almost 80 percent of the comments were written by those who want the Indian symbol reinstated.

Don't these athletes know the Indian symbol was banished because some people complained it was demeaning to Indians? They sure know it. And, agreeing with the Indian chiefs, the majority of the comments take dead aim at that charge. These young men feel the Indian symbol is "a symbol to be proud of" and "complimentary to Native Americans." A football player insists "it has been misconstrued as a racist symbol. . . Another deplores that "a vocal minority holds such sway." A crewman says the Indian symbol would be "something to be proud of, not offended at, no matter what your race." A two sport letterman sums it all up by stating, "The Indian symbol is the only symbol I identify with Dartmouth. It represents courage, teamwork, and dedication. It doesn't ridicule any one or any group."

Write-in comments by those who selected one of the other symbols reveal no enthusi- asm for their choices. Indeed! More than five percent of the total respondents admit that they really prefer the Indian symbol but checked another preference because they be- lieve the administration is rigid and will not bend. Question to you, reader, "Is it (please check any that apply) rigidity? selfimposed deafness? lack of courage? lethargy?

Florham Park, N.J.

The Symbol (cont.)

I am deeply fearful that in the anxiety to calm the misplaced, I believe, views of a very, very small group of people, the Trustees and administration of Dartmouth have taken measures to officially abolish the symbol of the American Indian without giving full weight to the sincere anguish of the great body of thousands of Dartmouth alumni about such an action.

Wondering whether I might be projecting my distressed feelings to others, where they truly didn't exist, I asked for a poll of the Class of 1932 as to whether each was "for" or "against" "Bringing back a dignified Indian Symbol."

To our surprise thirty alumni took the trouble to mail in answers (which, I believe, is a very large number for a "50 year" Class). There were 26 "yes" (with many very, very strong comments available if you want them). There were two "no" and two "don't care."

When one considers an outpouring like that and extrapolates it into the thousands of Dartmouth alumni, one senses the great loss that has been felt by many of us who care a lot.

The proudest member of our Class was Chief Sundown, who led the band in the full chief's regalia and was proud of it to his dying day. The most distinguished literary member of our Class wrote: "He accepted it with pride, why should we not do the same?"

The subject even takes on financial significance to the College, when in conversation with a most loyal alumnus this week, who has given over $85,000 to the CFD and far more than that to his Class and other aspects of Dartmouth, he tells me that this handling of the Indian symbol is so heartbreaking to him, that he is giving one dollar hereafter to the College, and his other donations will go to charity. (I would hate to extrapolate this to many in the alumni family.)

It may be that to some, symbolism is a "ho hum" matter in this materialistic world, but to those who have seen the tears stream down the face of a tough sergeant on a returning troop ship when he sees the Statue of Liberty; to one who has seen the [American] flag flying at the Olympics and at the start of our giant sporting events, then there is a sensing of "This, too, is mine."

I believe that to thousands of us who have worn the Dartmouth uniform with the proud Indian brave (with his searching eyes an integral part of it), the thought of destroying all this is almost incomprehensible.

It is my most ardent plea, therefore, that at least a poll be taken of Dartmouth alumni to see whether or not there is a great outpouring of those who feel like those I have heard from.

Needless to say, if the accumulating evidence is already such that an action by the Board of Trustees could bring back the treasured Indian symbol without further ado, then there would be an outpouring of fervent thanks from thousands of us:

Scarsdale, N.Y.

All the Best to Bob Graham

I would like to offer one amendment to Howard Coffin's excellent tribute to Bob Graham in the June issue: A thank you from the men and women of WDCR/WFRD-FM for Bob's many years of service on the Board of Overseers.

His work in behalf of radio at Dartmouth will always be remembered and appreciated.

I wish him a happy and productive retirement.

Los Angeles, Calif.

The Way We Were

Thank you for parading those simpler, happy times before me in the June-July Alumni Magazine. Eddie Chamberlain's recollections for Declaration Day, John Stearns style, were really enjoyable reading, and were greatly enhanced by the full-page portrait. John's daughter, Mary, called him "Biggie," so we neighborhood children also called him "Biggie" and we knew instinctively that he was no ordinary adult. He had a real appreciation for mischief. His wife Elsie's account of my mother's reaction to those July 4th celebrations has to be accurate. You have to know that a broad smile accompanied her comment. Mother hated to see the Stearns family move away, but she found it easy to love the Chamberlains who replaced the Stearns family just below our garden.

Farther on in the same issue is a nostalgic pictorical parade (see "Wearers of the Green") showing some who were not visible from our garden, but who also decorated my childhood: Jeff Tesreau, Tom Dent, and Eddie Jeremiah. Love thy neighbor was not so much an admonition as it was a description of the way we were. Thanks for the memories.

Boca Raton, Fla.

Errata

In your otherwise admirable article in the September 1984 issue on the Montgomery Endowment, your list of Montgomery Fellows includes Czeslaw Milosz identified as a Russian writer. Milosz is of course a famous Polish writer! Since the difference is very significant, I suggest you publish a correction in a forthcoming issue.

Undoubtedly others have pointed out this error to you.

Princeton, N.J

[Thank you, Dr. Sissman, for pointing out ouroversight. You were right, too, in assuming youweren't the only one who noticed. Ed.]

Another Yale Jinx?

How long has it been since Dartmouth (formerly the Indians) has won over a non I vy football opponent? This could be the beginning of something big like another Yale Jinx.

Redondo Beach, Calif.

[Unfortunately, you have to go all the way hackto 1977, where the Big Green eleven, under coachJake Crouthamel '60, had back to back victoriesover Holy Cross (17-14) and Boston University(38-0). Ed.]

Remembering John Stearns

What a delightful surprise I had when leafing through the summer issue of the DartmouthAlumni Magazine; I spotted Eddie Chamberlain's charming piece on John Stearns. I too attended those "Classy-Civ" lectures and was fascinated by the presen tation and the charm of the gentleman.To prove this point, I still have my copy of Tenney Franks' History of Rome, the text for that course, and it is not packed away, but sits on my living room bookcase.

I was so inspired by Professor John Stearns that during my junior year I wrote the enclosed poem, "Ode to John Stearns." I want to share it with you and Eddie Chamberlain with thanks for nudging some very pleasant memories out of the corner where they have been hiding.

Oft have I listened as you told, Your classes stories of the Rome of old.

You taught and lectured to your classes,

With scholarly brilliance, yet reached the masses.

Yoy've helped us understand the past,

And why their institutions seem to last,

Throughout the ages, and standing still,

Strengthen our culture, strengthen our will.

You've helped us with courage to face the future,

And helped still more mental wounds to suture.

So here this thanks within me burns

And I end this ode to you John Stearns.

Waltham; Mass.

Grace Notes

As the most famous unknown songwriter in America, I feel it is time to lodge my protest regarding the change of the Indian to the timber wolf. My cause for concern is quite basic and very pragmatic. Timber wolf or timber wolves is almost impossible to rhyme, whereas Indian presents no problems at all. If this change is made, it will certainly stifle future generations of Dartmouth songwriters.

And if this change is made, Dartmouth will certainly need new songs, because we will not be able to live with

"Eleazar Wheelock was a very pious man; He went into the wilderness to teach the timber wolf."

This would involve other ramifications because I am sure that the College would hear from the ASPCA about Eleazar giving 500 gallons of New England rum to a pack of timber wolves.

To appease those who are troubled by the word "Indian," the song could be changed to: "He went into the wilderness to teach the Native American," which would still rhyme, but you would have to add a few sixteenth notes and maybe even a thirty-second or two in order to preserve the meter, and it seems to me that it would take some of the punch out of the line.

So for the sake of art (I think there's a Latin phrase like that), let's keep the Indian. It will surely make life easier for future lyricists. But in the event that this is impossible, at least find a symbol that is easier to rhyme than timber wolf.

Scotch Plains, N.J.

A Resolution

I thought the alumni body might be interested in the Resolution we passed at our 60th Reunion, June 12, 1984.

Dartmouth College Class of 1924, in executive session this date during its 60th Reunion, overwhelmingly (27-5) passed the following Resolution. . . .

WHEREAS our cherished Indian Symbol was discontinued more than a decade ago,leaving an unfilled void in the pattern of Dartmouth, nothing having taken its place, WE THEREFORE RESOLVE that it is our earnest desire that the College Trustees, with the approval and blessings of President McLaughlin, vote

1) to restore the active use of the Indian Symbol in all its dignified manifestations, including its becoming again the

nickname of our athletic teams; 2) to return the classic and revered song "Eleazar Wheelock" to the Glee Club's repertoire;

3) to resume the use of the "WAH HOO WAH" cheer and "The Indian Yell for the Team" during future games and meets of Dartmouth teams engaging in competition.

Deny, N.H.

Indecent Headgear

Please may we get rid of indecent caps at football games with the Harvard slur. The W.C. ran has gone dry, I think. A team that has beat us in almost half of the last twenty games and tied us once deserves more respect, to say nothing of the University. Many of our teachers come from there.

The game's the thing, and prexy to be met on the field after the game as well as half the players. That's the Dartmouth Family.

Concord, Mass.