University of Virginia Library

Just Courtesy

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Chief of Naval
Operations for the United States Navy, will
speak in Old Cabell Hall tonight in a program
sponsored by the Student Legal Forum. There
are those in the University community who
intend to "protest his appearance," because
they assert that he is a "war criminal." That is
their prerogative.

The question of the morality of the war in
Vietnam, and–more specifically, of the
culpability of those on both sides who are
involved in its day-to-day operations–
certainly will not be resolved at this
encounter. Nonetheless, it is the right of the
Student Legal Forum to present speakers who
represent any viewpoint, and it is the right of
those who disagree with the speakers to
indicate their disagreement.

The question, then, becomes one of
procedure: What is to be the nature of
encounters between individuals of widely
divergent viewpoints at affairs such as the
appearance of Admiral Zumwalt?

We think it should be peaceful dialogue, if
such a thing is possible in a polarized society.
There is nothing to be gained from
confrontations that threaten or actively deny
the freedoms of speech and assembly to any
group. Very little progress is made in any
endeavor (be it reforming the armed forces or
ending a war) by engaging in petty wars of
personality and ideology. The good that
results from encounters between adversaries
invariably occurs when both sides are good
listeners and disciplined thinkers.

The Student Legal Forum has presented
the University with a number of controversial
and provocative speakers in the past and is
apparently commencing another year of the
same. The University should welcome the
opportunity to see and hear some of the
personalities that are in the news daily, and
should encourage the Student Legal Forum
and other groups to continue and expand
their efforts. It would be stupid to discourage
speakers from appearing on the Grounds,
unless one actually prefers that the University
stagnate and find itself far out of the
mainstream of academic and social thought.

Certainly Admiral Zumwalt will not be
surprised to find demonstrators awaiting his
arrival. In his occupation he is no doubt
becoming almost conditioned to being met
with demonstrations. His occupation,
however (especially the status of his position),
also places him in a position of having
something to say that some consider
worthwhile.

Therefore, it would be against every
principle that allows dissenters to dissent for
them to disallow the man to speak and those
interested to listen. The shoddy double
standard of exercising one's right to protest
by denying others the right to assemble and
hear a speaker is not acceptable.

Any peaceful protest of the policies
Admiral Zumwalt executes is fine, although
one might consider the excellent record he
has achieved in modernizing the Navy's
policies regarding personal affairs and the
status of the enlisted man.

Any attempt to blockade Cabell Hall by
students or others is going too far and should
be scoffed at by anyone who cares about the
future of programs involving outside speakers
at the University.

Neither respect, admiration approval, or
obedience is necessary to allow the admiral to
speak. Just courtesy.