University of Virginia Library

The Moderate Response

By Gordon Peerman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

He's one of my closest friends,
his ordinarily peaceful eyes curiously
transfixed in a fiery stare. "You
and your moderate kind drove us to
this. I hope they burn Maury Hall
to the ground."

I asked where the peace he and I
so fervently want had gone. He
merely shook his head. But the fire
remained in his eyes.

It seems Virginia is filled with
shaking heads and fiery eyes, both
reflecting the polarization and hesitation
that accompany the current
phase of the strike. From all sides
comes the question, "Will the strike
continue?"

The decision of the Virginia
Strike Committee Thursday afternoon
to limit the issues of the
strike to what they should have
been concerned with in the first
place, the escalation of the war and
the Kent State tragedy, was indeed
wise. By eliminating peripheral
demands, the Strike Committee has
made possible a much broader base
of student support for the strike in
the days to come.

The key to the success of the
strike undoubtedly lies in the
response of the moderates, those in
the middle of the groups polarized
to either side of them. Indeed, as
Professor Charles Whitebread has
lucidly stated, the moderates have
become a polarized entity unto
themselves. The Strike Committee's
decision is certainly a bid for
support of the moderates.

Moderates' Failure

In general, it has been the failure
of moderates throughout the strike
thus far to exercise any appreciable
amount of leadership. Professor
Whitebread alone has had the
courage to assume any degree of
leadership, channeling the focus of
the strike upon the two basic issues
and away from extraneous, divisive
elements.

At this crucial juncture of the
strike, all eyes are focused upon the
moderates. For those like my friend
who question the sincerity of the
moderates, certainly open to question,
let them have no doubt that
abhorrence of violence must govern
the actions of any responsible
citizen of the University community.

Libertarian Ideals

Let them know that any strike
here must not be one against the
University, merely a convenient
target for attack, but a strike for
the libertarian ideals which must
be at the core of the nation's
political philosophy.

If the strike is to be successful,
it will have to reassume its original
direction as a libertarian outcry
against issues as potentially explosive
as any in the history of the
nation. Whatever the ultimate
action of moderate thought on the
Grounds (nor do I envision a
unified response), the thrust of the
response must take place within
those libertarian ideals.

Gardner's Protest

Tom Gardner said in Newcomb
Hall ballroom Tuesday afternoon,
"We're here not for peace and
order, but to protest." I my to Mr.
Gardner, "We have the right to
protest, but protest with peace and
order."