By Jay Heslop Page Six The Old Order Changeth by H.A. Dixon AN enlightened citizenry can secure needed change without disorder. An intelligent citizen can adapt himself to new situations without hysteria. His responses are good from the point of truth or fact and he acts upon thinking. What is an enlightened citizenry if it is not a composite of enlightened individuals? It is difficult to effect changes in a democracy faster than the masses of the people can understand and give sanction. Sometimes change must be brought about rapidly; sometimes it can be permitted to take its course and come slowly. One writer of note says: "A totalitarian state is like a full rigged ship that sails rapidly and majestically out of the harbor; but if it strikes a rock, it sinks. A democracy is like a raft; it doesn't sink, but, darn it, your feet are always wet." Preparation and change in many democracies during this world crisis have come "too little and too late." Fears are being expressed that even in the United States there is a possibility of our regretfully shaking our heads and bemoaning the fact that our preparedness will be "too little and too late." Seldom have there been such attacks upon and complaints against the people for their apathy. The New York Times warns that "we are slothful with fat pride." A member of the War Production Board told an audience gloomily, "Not since the days of the Revolution have we had much of a chance to lose a war. We have a chance to lose this one." Apparently there is need for more rapid group change, which is impossible without a corresponding change upon the part of individuals. It is my purpose here to point out significant changes in our environment which appear to call upon the College as a group and the students as individuals for significant adjustments. "Business as usual" has no place in these unusual times. The interests of ourselves, as individuals, have almost completely dominated our objectives and our thinking. Democracy and education are viewed as a right without any reciprocal responsibility. We must now think of our responsibilities to our country. The nation has asked very little of the individual. Now it must ask much. Never again may we see times so favorable to the individual. The philosophy of Thor and Nietzsche seems to be the growing philosophy of today. The minds of millions of youth in many lands are being poisoned by the diabolical poison of hate. As Dr. Hart says: "Truth, good will and justice are no more, only force seems to count. The force of might is the only language that is understood." As much as we regret it, this seems, at the present, to be the situation. It would be suicide to think otherwise. The dreams of our safety in the mountains might be ruthlessly shattered. The dreams of world peace must be postponed for a time. Whether we have brought ourselves to realize it or not, "We face an immediate future of arms and armaments." Most students who have carefully laid career plans covering a period of years will find that these cherished plans will be interrupted. The change due to the interruption of these plans will be one of the important challenges of their lives. Here as in other changes they will act upon thinking and make the adjustment without hysteria and without disorder. The College, on the other hand, must add to the vocational guidance and its educational guidance the service of military guidance because the sudden transition has caused confusion in the minds of students as to their future. The College must provide in its offerings the opportunity for every student to acquire some training that is useful in our country's service. The problem today is not all one of finding what training will pay the best, give exemption or result in deferment. It is a problem of determining where one can serve best in the light of his previous preparation, his interests, his capacity and the possibilities for growth that the training affords. Before making this decision, one should gather many facts, organize these (Continued on page 8) Page Seven