Communication.

Editors Daily Crimson:

DEAR SIRS-The pamphlet entitled "Reply to President Eliot's Bay State Club Speech," which has recently been distributed among the students has aroused so much discussion, that perhaps I may be justified in asking you to print what seems to be the popular opinion in regard to it.

In his address to the students at the last College Conference meeting, President Eliot described the proper function of a university to be "to teach its students to lead," as opposed to a military school which teaches rather obedience. Let us accept this definition, and try to ascertain the proper attitude of a university graduate toward politics. In the first place, if he is to lead public opinion he must himself have firm-opinions, which should be arrived at by careful, sincere and, if need be, "independent" thinking; and in the second place he should consider it to be rather his duty than his privilege to express in public his opinion, in case he may by a careful exposition of his own motives perhaps help others to arrive at a clearer view of political affairs. Now who of us does not believe that President Eliot's views as expressed in his Bay State club speech, are the result of manly, conscientious thought? And, believing this, who of us would deny him the right of every American citizen to state his views wherever and whenever he may see fit?

I pass over the contemptible way in which the writer of this pamphlet compares the political opinions of President Eliot to those of a well-known prize-fighter; but I wish to emphasize the meanness of trying to influence the vote of whatever voters there may be among the students here, by a dastardly attack upon a president of whom we all, whatever our political opinions, are justly proud.

We are informed that "the president of a great university should occupy in politics the position of a judge": we affirm that President Eliot does hold the position of a judge, but we respectfully suggest that it is the duty of a judge to "instruct the jury."

Yours truly, INDIGNATIO.