Had the author of the recent
editorial "Consistency, Please," not
attempted to link the establishment
and operation of ROTC units on
the Grounds to the requests that
the University lend implicit
condemation to the October 15th
activities, he might have made a
partial and very weak argument for
the cancellation of classes on that
day. As it was, he tried to trot tout
the old, tired arguments of the past,
and as such shouldn't be too
alarmed when someone criticises
him for doing so.
The chief function of
government is the protection of its
citizens, on a broad range of foreign
and domestic fronts. This is why
citizens give up their fight of
self-help. They are confident that
they will be protected. If the staff
of The Cavalier Daily doesn't
believe this fact, it might interview
the student whose date was
assaulted in the vicinity of the
Grounds. The only substantial
controversy that is commonly
raised is centered around how much
protection the ordinary citizen
requires.
The logical extension of all this
is that somewhere there must exist
agencies to prepare people to
undertake the vital and
indispensable function of public
protection, on many fields foreign
and domestic. I speak with the
experience of five years removal
from the Grounds, and thus my
observations may not be in good
odor. However, I see little reason
why the University should not
sponsor and encourage its students
to prepare for public service
through joining ROTC units. This is
of course old fashioned, but I can
say that my service as a Naval
Officer, was by turns strenuous,
mentally exacting and at times even
dreary and unimaginative.
Ultimately though, it was the most
profoundly rewarding experience of
my life to date, and I am grateful
that there was, and still is, an
NROTC Unit at the University.
Moreover, I would be interested in
having The Cavalier Daily poll the
class of 1964, or at least those who
were commissioned through the
ROTC units on Grounds. I am
certain that there would be a
substantial amount of support for
the position I have taken.
Alexander G. Monroe
B.A. (with distinction)
1964
M.A. William and Mary
