The Cadet. VMI Newspaper. June 10, 1958 - New Page 1 [www2 ...

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'59 Suffers for VMI It is an old and odd concept of justice that sometimes the innocent must be punished afong with the guility. That it is old can be .•seen in the biblical law that "the sins of the fathers shall be visited unto the sons." That :ft is odd is evidenced by the fact that it is never justice to punish a man who has broken law. But from this concept of justice has arisen (Jhe dilema that fa(;es next year's First Class. lEri the Spring of 1957, the class of 1958, this .year's graduating class, began an investigation of various aspects of VMI which they felt were harmful to the Institute. This investigation attracted wide publicity ):rom alumni and oth6r interested pai'ties. The x'osult was a "report" which was handed to the Board of Visitors. The Board appointed a committee to Study the report and VMI, ^md to make recommendations. This it did. Now the Class of 1959 has been told that certain of its privileges (See story CHANGES, )3g. 1) will be taken away. It was told that the committee recommended these changes, and more, that the treason for the changes was to awaken the First Class to a greater sense of its responsibilities. The idea in itself is an excellent one, but jit s6ems rather strange that the committee :?ound ONLY the Corps at fault, since the re- )[K)rt did not primarily concern the Corps, but [Jbe Administration. Can it be taken from this then that the new :cestrictions are intended not to promote a more spirited Corps, but to warn the First Class against taking any steps similar to last year's, and to demonstrate the fact that the jFirst Class has very little real power and had better satisfy itself with policing barracks? - This is not to say that the "policing" is a wholly bad idea, because the Corps has need of a shot in the arm, and the First Class is the instrument for giving it, but it is a pity that the Class of 1959 must suffer because the. Class of 1958 wanted to help VMI. And it is a pity that the original purposes of the report that the Class of 1958 worked iirt hard to prepare has been, for some reason, forgotten, and the whole load shifted to the shoulders of the Corps. Practical Progress The theme of the military instruction this )âst year seems to have followed the theory practical with theoretical, rather than feaving all of the practical to summer camp. This was evidenced by the physical training ipro^ram which started so admirably and then gradually faded out and the use made of White's Farm for tactical problems, and then of course the spring hike itself. The idea of practical instruction appears dei ijiitely superior, and the Army, appi'eciating '.his, devotes a large percentage of their Techniquies of instruction to this phase of training. All of this leads up to just this — Why, of all things, doesn't VMI have a range for practical instruction in the Ml rifle? .In the Spring of this year the second class ground forces went out for several hours .ind each man was given four or five single rounds of ammo to fire, and this not even in 1 clip. There is NO excuse for a single VMI cadet leave Lexington for summer camp, or anywhere else, with this pitiful amount of practical training in the firing of this basic weapon. If there is ANY single phase of VMI's milicaiy program that needs something done a- Ibout it, this appears to be one place where a start could be made. We don't say improvement since there exists nothing in evidence to improve on. Defense of '58 Classes In the May 25 issue of the New York Times magazine section there appeared an article entitled "Defense of the Class of '58." The article, by Otto Butz, questions whether American youth, as often charged, has lost its fire. Mr. Butz replies NO, that it has just become too mature to play with it. As a Princeton professor Mr. Butz has studied the question closely and the following is what he came up with. We think it particularly appropriate at this time. As another commencement season approaches, the American younger generation is in danger of being unfairly and tragically sold short. Unfairly, because its elders, in judging it by the forms of youthful expression current in the Nineteen Thirties are misinterpreting its realism and prudence as omnious evidence of apathy and lack of idealism, Tragically, because, in so doing, these older Americans are depriving themselves of what should and could be their surest ground for confidence in the nation's future. What they fail to see is that the very qualities of realism and prudence, which they are inclined to find so disturbing in today's youth, may, in fact, mark these young men and women as the most mature and promising generation to emerge since the days of the American frontier. After five years as a university teacher in this country, I fully agree that today's young Americans are a down-to-earth and matter offact lot. What I would protest, however, is the conclusion, so frequently drawn from this fact, that contemporary young people are less adventurous than were earlier generations of Antericans, that they lack positive political convictions, that they suffer from an impaired sense of individuality, and that as one educator recently described them they are little more than "gloriously contented — self-seekers on the American assembly-line." That today's college-age Americans have become less ambitious and spectacular in the particular expressions of the beliefs is beyond dispute. The reasons for the development have been chiefly twofold. For one thing, the expectations from life of these young people, as compared with those earlier entertained by their fathers, have become much more modest. Traditional America's, admirable but unrealistic faith in the quick and easy liberal democratic perfectability of man sooner or later had to be disap(M)inted and (Continued on Page 5) STOOP POOP Another year and another Spring changes, which are few, there were Hike. It seems they get worse not very many gripes heard. every year. C and D companies • All rumors concerning make- probably had it worse than any of overs can cease. Read the front the others. Jhey were happy, how- page for results. ever, because they captured the A number of graduates are get- machine gun from the "Night ting married shortly. How about Watch." I guess you might say the one who couldn't wait. He spent they were: Motivated; They seized his Honeymoon in Lexington last their Objective; They did (doing) week — he even had . to rush back what they were supposed to; made for 2400 CCQ. Some fun! it Realistic; Their achievements Let's hope intramurals won't be were Appreciated; and they ap- excluded from the agenda next parently had some Background in year — they sure fell through thia tactics. Yes, MODRAB lives on! past one. Commendations are in order for Anyone desiring to know how to the administration — for once we make friends with Indians, get in know what's happening, or what touch with our new Regimental C. will happen next year. Despite the 0. He's an expert! SERVICE WITH A SMIRK by SPENCER TUCKER As the first flecks of grey etch the morning sky on June tenth, crowds of eager people will assemble at Lexington, Virginia to watch the epic displays that will be going on throughout the day. A wing of speedy jets will raze the select^ battle site. Planned for destruction at 10:00 on this morning in June, will be the demolition of the VMI barracks by a team of specially selected first classmen who have been trained for four years — in a fashion similar to training war dogs — and -who are seasoned veterans of spring wars I, II and III. These troops will be lead by Bob Hickerson, infamous expert on special explosives and S-3 of the firecracker brigade. Col. Johns, head of the defending forces, has promised that he will net spare lives in attempting to save the institute from total destruction. He has already ordered three men shot as examples for the remaining troops, even though no action has occured. The~ armor units in the defense will be led by Major Nelson, known for his crafty maneuverings, and strong shows of force on special duty in Lexington Village. Capt. "Killer" Kelsey will head the leftning. Plans for the defense will be co-ordiniated by "the village squire". Nuckols, expert in administrative work, has the logistics in hand, and has spot ted the defenses to be thrown up in Buena Vista against the invaders. Aggressor units will be on the prowl, especially in the dives and "flesh pots" of Lexington ....Capt. Murphy assures the brass that no more machine guns will be lost to the enemy on What promises to be one of his most daring escapades of the year. Secret assofnments have already been handed out. One thing is assured, at any rate, and that is that the aggressors are bound to be beaten off by the defending forces, although it be with heavy loss — for the same battle-tried and proven plan has worked for eons. Col. Johns assures a startling display on the parade ground in the event that the enemy should * become discouraged and not reach Lexington, or bypass it on their way to the objective —"Steve's". Two globemaster transports are scheduled to arrive on Monday morning and land on the parade ground. That this feat has never been accomplished before means little. "There is always a first time for anything," assures Col. Johns. The year at V. M. I. has been accomplished. There have been many « good times for members of the First Class. It is with whimsical nostalga that we bid Good-Bye to those our friends and neighbors for three years. Quite frankly we're glad to be rid of you but at the same time wish you "bon chance." If you're in the vicinity of Lexington next year, you might look in on barracks and see how the "Stonewall Class" will be running things. We plan to do a pretty damn good Job. Published Friday afternoon. Entered as second class matter September 19, 1946 at the Post Office in Lexington, Virginia, under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription, $8.50 out of barracks, $3.00 In barracks, ^ 30 issues. Address: Box 715, V. M. I., Lexington, Virginia. MEMBER * Virginia Intercollegiate Press Association < Associated Collegiate Press MANAGING EDITOR J. Ted Tate, Jr. ASSOCIATE EDITORS J. Kenneth Bradford James D. Coogan, Jr. MILITARY EDITOR Leo A. Kramer, Jr Aisistant Editors Edward C. Bomar A. F. E. Smith Staff Photograph)>r Thomas C. Bradshaw EDITOR IN-CHIEF Henry E. Thomas IV BUSINESS MANAGER John A. Phillips ADVERTISING MANAGER David M. Maddox CIRCULATION MANAGER Eugene R. McDannald Contributing Editors Roger W. Spencer William T. Braithwaite John J. Moorcones Asst. Advertising Manager Horace D. Hoskins EDITORIAL & BUSINESS STAFFS Eugene H. Grayson, Robert A. Sommers, John P. Kemp, Leslie Savage, Rod Hudgins, Paul Thompson, John W. McDougall, Richard A. Hartman, John W. Hunnicutt, William H. Old, Jr., William H. Dabney.
Class '58 Valedictory Address The f(blowing address was given by Sterling L. Williamsdn, valfeaietofian of the Clafes of 1958 on the occasion o! the Qraduation of that class from the Virginia Military Institute. Cadet Williamson addressed the graduating clftss, the Corps of Cadets, alumni, and friends in William IL. Cocke 94 Hall on June 10 at ll:0O A. M. The address preceded the presentation of awards, diplomas, and Commissions to the graduating class. . General Milton, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Brother Rats: The position of valedictorian is a paradoxical one; for although you are this very moment saying tp yourselves, "Well, h6re we go with thfe same old lines repeated annually by every .valedictorian," you would probably not even recognize this address ag a valedictory — in fact, you would have my head — if this spee(ih did not contain two often repeated platir. tudes. The îrst is that (1) this graduating class must become the leaders 6f tomorrow by assuming the burden of responsibility of life (whatever that m6ans).^The second is that (2) the Class of li958 is stepping into a situation where the challenges are greater than those ever faced by any other clasS" in his- 'toi7, and in our hands lies the fate not only of our country, hut of the world. But these cliches are, nevertheless, true and i cannot sacrifice them for the tensile attraction of being striking and original. Of course, what valedictorians say about our being the leaders of tomorrow does not mean that we~will all bfe President of General Dynamics: There simply cannot be "all chiefs and no Indians." Since this is true, we are glad that V. M. i. has prepared us to follow as well as lead. But whether we are world leiiders or not, we will find ourselves in responsible positions. When this does happen, I think we have at least learned enough in our four years here to have the good sense not to go rushing in to direct affairs in the fields we know nothing about. For Instance, when it comes to opening holes in a massive football line, a sensible man would not try to do it himself, unless he were a good sized sensible man, but would go straight to Lou Farmer. If I were in Lou's place on the football field, I would be in the same position as many of our leaders today — only a follower out in front. On the other hand, this should be an excuse for the weak man to sit back and say, "Let Johnny do it. He's smarter than I am." At times this has happened at V. M. I., and it will continue to happen if we are not constantly on guard that it may occur. Quite frequently the aggressive, who we know are not necessarily the capiable, have monopolized attention to a point where those bettef qualified have relegated themselves to the background, either by choice or through plain disgust. We should not delude ourselves that throughout life we will not be confronted with the bellowing of blatant demagogues. Therefore, we must realize, as we frequently do not realize, that those who lust for attention are not necessarily qualified for responsibility. There is only on^ single solution to this perennial problem — the men who do have the qualification must get off their haunches and assume the responsibility that is theirs. Turning now to my second cliche: I think that it is tragically evident to our bewildered world that this time of our graduation is truly critical. I am sure that Mr. Pace or any other world leader will attest to this fact. At V. M. I. we have had such a busy world of our own that we have not been able to keep up with what has been going oh outside. In fact, many of us have been more concerned, and I think rightly so, with logarithm tables or the PeolopOnnesian Wars than with the daily newspaper. But we are now leaving our specialized world, and our outlook must be as it it were onto a much wider screen. This applies to us individually as well as to our country as a whole. We cannot survive if we tolerate either personal or political isolationism, for the bare facts of history have shown that it is as outdated as communication by tomtoms. It should shake us out of our complacenecy to compare our present world neurosis with that hectic fever which Machiavelli shrewdly described: "In the beginning it is easy to cure but hard to recognize; whereas after a time, not having been detected and treated at the first, it becomes easy to recognize but impossible to cure." It is the fate of many college graduates to fall into the old "American Rut" of allowing events to happen as they will not particularly caring. And now. Brother Rats, a word to you. Just as alj of us are liable to fall into the "American Rut" of letting the other fellow assume responsibility, and lapsing into complacency — so V. M. I. graduates have their own particular chasm known as the "V. M. I. Rut." This rut is possibly a quagmire of old school .sentimentality. Let me explain what I mean As years pass after having left the Institute, alumni naturally tend to remember only the happiest things about the school and the delightfully terrible things that happen to them as rats, both of which are excelleht topics for conversation at reunions. Because of theh- close association as cadets and the traditions and customs of V. M. I. (all of which are, of course, an integral part of our school), the vision of alumni — observing an institute which, if it has survived and improved, must have changed — is often tinted with a kind'of rosy nostalgia. Evbn in our four years at the Institute we have seen, as every class sees, a good many desirable alterations: A continued improvement of the physical plant, a tightening of the academic system, and quite a change in the military program. But there is one reyolution we have witnessed that overshadows ..all these — the vitally renewed interest of the alumni in all aspects of V. M. I. Although the basic concepts upon which V. M. I. is founded will always remain the same, V. M. I. itself will change. We cannot expect V. M. I. of 1958 to be the same as it was in 1918 or 1928. Nobody would want it to be the same. For example, the V. M. I. curriculum of thirty j-ears ago, although a highly respectable one in its time, is really only at^viîEu, i at the high school level in STERLING L. WILLIAMSON comparison with the curriculum we are just finishing today. The needs of our world are simply putting vastly greater demands on the intellectual preparatidn of today's college graduate. I certainly do not mean to offtend anyone, and especially not my father, who is sitting in this auditorium, himself a V. M. I. graduate and, as a matter of fact, the Class Valedictorian exactly thirty years ago. The parents of cadets would be the very first to want their sons to receive a better education than they. But in order for V. M. I. to improve it must necessarily undergo some changes. Anyone who tries to keep V. M. I. the same as it was thirty years ago is certainly in the "V. M. I. Rut.' As alumni sentiments threaten to overcome our reason in our. concern with V. M. I. and how the "Institute is going to Hell," it would certainly be wise of us to heed the splendid words which General of the Army George Catlett Marshall spoke on this platform two years ago, "Don't be a shallow thinker and a deep feeler." In the future don't shove proposed changes in V. M. I- out of your minds without intelligent consideration just because the changes did not appear When we were cadets or because we want always to keep V. M. I. the same as it was in 1958. We must remember that tradition and "espirit de corps," the backbone of V. M. I., have never interfered with V. M. I.'s moving forward but, on the contrary, have always accompanied progress and played a primary role in the forward steps taken by the Institute. V. M. I. could be said to rest on three legs: (1) the Corps of Cadets, (2) the faculty, and (3) the alumni. But as with any structure of this nature the toppling of any one leg means collapse of the entire structure. We will never again be cadets. Few of us will be faculty members. All of us will be alumni. We now belong to one common class comprised of 116 years of graduates, dedicated to this institution and all it stands for. It has been the active and unselfish participation of the great class of alumni which has upheld the Institute during its history. A continuation of the "old corps esprit" in a "new corps world" should be the basis for an even prouder V. M. I. Let us hope that when our sons are on this platform thirty years from now, the tradition of V. M. I. will be even greater and prouder, and still more difficult to ^hold. Defense of '58 Too Mature Or ! Lost ItsFIri^ ] CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4, revised. So did the radical ancl conservative Utopias and coc' spiracy theories which at firsi. replaced that faith. It was tbo fate of the young people irt! twenty-five years ago to have to experience these disappointmentfi and to come to grips with therh. selves and the world in spite ocil them. Today's young people, in coftrast, have grown up as the heirb of this long and painful AmerlcDh coming-of-age. They have kftowr'. from their very beginnings thrt^: economic security is important, that they would probably nfeVl;;.' 3ecome millionaires, that neithei' socialism nor communism is a panacea from the free-encerprisp system's deficiences, and that tlib world cannot be made safe foi' democary in one war or peacfc settlement. Would it not be remarkable if this fact were mW; reflected in a more realistic anfct moderate sense of the possible in the present younger generation? Modest Goals '' It has, in addition, been tbO good fortune of these young peopJti to be able to pursue their morb nodest goals in life under sociai and economic circumstanceJi which, compared with those prO' vailing in the Nineteen Thirties, have been favorable indeed. Oh one hand, job opportunities fof the college graduate have, untii this year, been almost unlimited. On the other, through such dO' velopments as broadened access tb higher education, the various typey of discrimination and the increaS' ed power of organized labor, manif of at least the more crying irt' justices which stirred the heartti and minds of the young people of a generation ago, have steadily been remedied. The resulting, undeniable change in the expressions of tl\e present younger generation's beliefs need not, however, as is set often implied, be taken as evidence either of a dilution of the substance of the beliefs themselves oi* of a weakening of the intensity with which the beliefs are held,. The truth of the matter, on tli0 contrary, is that in a number o£ significant ways the present youth of America, at least as represent' ed in the country's better colleges, gives promise of a good deal morO inner direction and public dedication than thfeir elders have dew*onstarted. I.essened Influence ' Consider, for example the care«ir plans of these contemporary cotlege men and women. A Corneli University study, based upon 7,0tX) interviews at twelve collegeMi shows today's students to bfe mucfi less influenced by the promise of. financial reward than by the protr' pect of what they may be able lo (Continued On Page 12) This, the Finals issue of the VMI CADET lor 1958, is in the new size and style that will be used for the coming year. It is packed with the latest news from the Institute, complete news coverage and feature articles — you don't want to miss it. Subscription'prices remain the same: $3.50 by mail for thirty (30) issues. SUBSCRIBE NOW in order that accurate mailing lists may be prepared over the summer. WE THINK YOU'LL LIKE WHAT YOU GET! Send me the 1958-1959 CADET — 30 Issues for $3.50. ( ) Check or money order is enclosed ( ) Bill me 19 Mail to : VMI CADET, Box 715, VMI, Lexington, Va. NAME ADDRESS CITY (Street) ZONE STATE
Page 1 and 2: Finals VOLUME XLVIII THE VMI CADET,
Page 3: Twenty-Five Graduates To Become Jun
Page 7 and 8: V.M.1 SPORTS "DET VMI Releases Foot
Page 9 and 10: TIK CADET. LEXINGTON. VIROINIA, TUE
Page 11 and 12: t Cadet THE VMIICAOET, LEXINGTON, V

The Cadet. VMI Newspaper. June 10, 1958 - New Page 1 [www2 ...

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