1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

376 THE SCROLL.developing is necessary for a great fraternity to escape thecharge of failure to reach its very highest possible destiny.In the Delta Upsilon Quarterly for December is a coritroversialarticle in which an anti-extensionist is criticizedbecause of his contention that his fraternity does not need toextend for the preservation of its democracy, as it is nolonger of the small size that is liable to be afflicted with theexclusive spirit. The writer contends that a cessation ofgrowth for a long term of years, with disregard of all petitionsof whatever quality or backing, would be an invitationto that real danger of exclusiveness. In this argument wevery earnestly agree with him. In concluding he asserts thatthese are the views of a large proportion of the alumni—The men who take hearty interest in the fraternity's welfare, whoencourage her chapters, build their chapter-houses, attend her reunions, andin their respective shares, be they large or small, inspire respect for theirideals. They have no quarrel with any one urging the necessity of puttingpetitioners on probation, of making them work hard for their charter, ofhaving a conservative policy in regard to extension. But they do not wantto see conservatism become a fetich, simply a saying of "we won't"—anaping of the inertia of certain of our rivals. They want to see conservatismwith growth, and that growth not hurried, not rapid, but calm, deliberate,judicious, enlightened, never forgetting quality, and never neglecting theinternal development, which stands even more for fraternity greatness.EXTENSION is a question of policy and of detail, and it isoften hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.Certainly no fraternity can afford to shut itself entirelywithin its own wall of self sufficiency. Internal conditionschange, inviting regions are disclosed which the self interestof a fraternity compel it to respect. When differences ofopinion regarding extension seem to be irreconcilable, themost efficacious remedies are found in fair mindedness andfullness of information. Before us constantly are respectableapplications which we must consider with open mindsand honest hearts. Each chapter should strive to obtainevery essential fact about them. The location of the institutionshould awaken no prejudice, for no worse motive foropposition could arise than a sectional one. The strength