To quote one of Mr. Jefferson's
purposes for creating the University
of Virginia, "To develop the reasoning
facilities of our youth, enlarge
their minds, cultivate their morals,
and instill into them the precepts of
virtue and order . . ." All wars are
immoral, the Vietnam conflict
perhaps more so than others. It is
about time that Professor Battestin
(See Cavalier Daily, Oct. 7, 1969),
indeed President Shannon and all
those others who have vocally
opted for "freedom of choice"
concerning the October 15th Moratorium
stop hiding behind the
cliche of the past — "academic
freedom" — and realize that war is
a moral, not a political question.
True, it is the politicians who
have gotten us involved in the
horrendous Vietnam morass. It is
now the responsibility of the
intellectual of the country, especially
those here at the University
dedicated to carrying out Mr.
Jefferson's principles, to oppose the
war. This is as vital a part of our
education as Professor Battestin's
English lesson. It could even be,
perhaps, a bit more important. It is
time that some of our teachers and
administrators begin to look at
these things in perspective.
