University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Chicago 7 Mock Justice

I would like to indicate my firm
support for the contempt-of-court
sentence handed down by Judge
Hoffman in the "Chicago Conspiracy
Trial." The defendant being
tried in this case is more the entire
judicial process than the individual
members of the alleged conspiracy.
This atmosphere was created by the
conspiracy defendants themselves,
in an attempt to gain publicity for
their cause.

The defendants have had their
day in court. In other nations, or in
other times, these gentlemen would
have been physically suppressed
without any consideration of a fair
trial. The cause that they represent
is one of intense concern in this
nation and arouses strong sentiment
from either viewpoint. However,
there is no place for such extreme
views in the courtroom . . . reason
must prevail. The defense, unfortunately,
departed from reason and
made every attempt to arouse
public opinion against the integrity
of the court.

Such a mockery of justice is
inexcusable. Our legal system is
dedicated to the rights of the
individual and the protection of our
minorities . . . our legal system is
founded on just and wise traditions,
yet dynamic when change is necessary
. . . our legal system is the
backbone of our orderly society.
These defendants were not unaware
that their conduct was in contempt.
Their actions cannot be condoned
so that others might be encouraged
to similar attempts to mock justice.
It must be made clear to those
individuals who would use such
methods to disrupt our system of
laws and justice that their actions
will not be tolerated.

Let us focus our stances on the
abundant merits of Memorial
Gymnasium. As the very name
implies, it is a memorial. In this
time of national turmoil let us look
to the luminous examples of
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison,
and James Monroe. But how, you
may ask, does this concern Memorial
Gymnasium? Well, sir, the same
facilities that nourished our American
forebears now nourish us. I can
hardly describe to you the electric
feeling of wonder that courses
through my veins when I play
basketball on the same court that
Jefferson used; when I lift the same
weights that Monroe hoisted; when
I plunge into the same pool that
Madison used. Sir, I can hardly
describe to you the reverent awe I
felt when told that the very
building I use to play paddle-ball
was once Thomas Jefferson's stable.

Some no doubt think I live in
the past. I view the past as a
touchstone for the present. The
lessons of former great Americans
should be incorporated into our
present mode of living. But Memorial
Gymnasium is not simply a
moribund replica of past glories. It
is a living testament to the present. Consider, sir, one's weekly experiences
in utilizing Memorial Gymnasium.
There is always the element
of suspense. Devotees of the pool
know not when the pool is really
open. Certainly the administrators
of the gym post schedules for
student use of the pool but these
are only clever subterfuges to test
the student's patience. For example,
a student who spends hours of
diligent research in the library and
eagerly awaits a relaxing swim
inevitably finds the pool closed.
But they are only selfish and
narrow-minded.

Memorial Gym, however, is
designed to give one a well-rounded
physical experience. Those who
elect to run laps on the track
experience a refreshing change
when preschool lots slide down the
wooden incline. In this way the
runner is literally forced to sharpen
his hurdling skills. Those in the
graduate school are often encouraged
to give up their interest in
basketball in order to allow other
preschool lots use of the courts.
College and graduate students
should seek more strenuous activities.
Therefore the administrators
wisely counsel use of the weight
room. But here, too, the student
receives an additional service from
the sagacious administrators. It
seems that these wise men have
contracted with the half million or
so preschool lots who are not
engaged on the basketball court or
the track to help out in the weight
room. In carrying out their motto,
"Nothing in excess," the administrators
realize that students who are
successively frustrated at the pool
and basketball court might overexert
themselves. Hence they employ
the lots to prevent the students
from too much exertion on various
muscle-building apparati. Surely the
wisdom of Memorial Gymnasium
administrators knows no bounds.

Here, here!, let us not quibble
over tactics. D.W. Orrick, III, is
right when he complains that Dean
Woody should not be criticized for
adopting "the very tactics practiced
by current leftist groups." We
should in fact, praise him - "Three
cheers for Dean Woody!," guerrilla
strategist of the administration.

Those of us who wish to alter
the status quo have always claimed
the right to work outside established
channels; it is hardly consistent
to lambast Woody, Lovett, and
company for exercising the same
prerogative. We should, of course,
condemn the racist and sexist
nature of the bulk of their message
to the Governor. But we should
also commend them for supporting
higher wages for non-academic
employees; as much as that may
have been motivated by paternalistic
noblesse oblige, it was, nevertheless,
helpful toward indicating
the unity of student support of
higher wages and bargaining rights
for University employees.

However, the most constructive
outcome of the Woody-lobbying
affair is the endorsement of radical,
extra-channel tactics by such a
prestigious figure of the University
community, as Mr. T. Braxton
Woody.

Isn't your editorial policy a bit
inconsistent with the February 17
center fold-out?

Maveret Buenfil

—Ed.

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—Ed.