Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-04-21
IN. Y. Times. April IL, 1929

IN. L. lines, ApTll IL, 1SSo'J
The Board OF Overseers OF Harvard
University has revitalized the old Har
ward tradition OF liberalism by declu'
ing that there shall be no racial or re-
ligious discrimination in the aumlS
sion OF students. Thus an end Is put "a
the plan advocated by few prom
nent Harvard men to limit the proper
ton of students OF any given group
or class The misunderstanding Great
ed last year by the injudicious publlce
ton of letters from President Lowell,
indicating his belief that the racia!
problem could not be ignored may now
be dispelled. Harvard has shown that
no single individual or small group
may commit the college to'a policy not
in accord with its long-established ira
dition Certainly an institution which
by it's charter was endowed with all
the necessary powers that may con
duce to the education OF the English
and Indian youth of this country 10
knowledge and goodness" should be
the last to establish barriers on nc
count of race or religion
No one questions the right of
university to impose qualifications foT
admission. 1t must have the power to
say whom it will accept or reject. Bus
had Harvard embarked on a policy OF
deliberate discrimination against any
race, or had it said, 1--we will admit
so many per cent of this stock and SO
many of that" 1t would rightly have
incurred general censure. Even II done
as was suggested. with the purpose OF
ailaying racial antagonismS, 1t would
have emphasized rather than have d.
minished them, and would have tend.
ed toward the perpetuation Of groups
within the university.
TIE day is not far of when there
will have to be limitation OF numbers
at Harvard, as at other universities
With this necessity in view, the col
lege authorities will doubtless be con
sidering the fairest methods of obtain
ing the desired results. One Of the
most obvious, of course, is to raise
the standards of entrance. Already
much has been done in this respect
There has been, however. too great a
tendency to stress intellectual attain.
ments, without regard to such essent.
iais as character. owing in part to the
greater ease of measuring scholar
ship than character by fixed stand.
ards. A precedent exists, nevertheless
in that paragraph of Cecil Rhodes's
will which refers to the selection of
candidates for the Rhodes schola-
ships. Recognizing that literary and
scholastic attachments by themselve.
were not sufficient, he directed that at
tention should also be given to the ca I
didate's qualities OF manhood, truth
courage. devotion to duty, sympathy
for and protection OF the weak kmdli
ness. unselfishness and fellowship"
and, finally to "his exhibition during
school days OF moral force of charac.
ter and of instincts to lead and to take
an interest in his schoolmates."
If in the selection of candidates for
Harvard greater stress should be laid
on some of these qualifications, with.
out discrimination as to race or creed
and with equality Of treatment for all.
none would object. Such a procedure
however. would be very different II ON
the discriminatory methods which the
Board of Overseers has wisely COD,
demned to death.