The Press

Harvard University was the scene the other night of a debate on the question, "Resolved, that the American Revolution was a mistake." A couple of young men from Cambridge University, England, argued that it would have been better all around if America had remained under the British crown. A couple of Harvard students in reply insisted that July 4 was worth celebrating. This reminds us of an incident which occurred some years ago on ship-board. It was the Fourth of July and a young Englishman found it most amusing to tell his American acquaintances that "in England we call it 'Thanks-giving.'" He kept repeating his joke until an American girl remarked that she had always supposed the British called it Christmas. The Englishman wanted to know why.

"Because," she said, "it celebrates the birth of your savior."

It is nice to know that among Harvard's students there are two who are not perfect little Anglophiles, wholly ashamed of their own country. Of course, they may have spoken in defense of it merely because they were assigned to that side of the discussion, but if they were insincere, they managed to hide it. Possibly the day will yet come when Harvard men of their view will find their way into the state department. Today the department has no lack of Harvard men. What it needs is patriots.

The debate was supposed to give the young men an opportunity to exercise wit in reopening a question which less emancipated persons had come to regard as closed. Young men like to shock their elders, but these young men really weren't very imaginative in choosing their topic. They could have created a much more profound stir in their community if they had discussed the question, "Resolved, that Harvard University was a mistake." There is much to be said on both sides. --Chicago Tribune, March 28, 1949.   Thank you, Colonel McCormick. And now, the affirmative...-ed.