HAVE YOU AN OPINION?

During these last few weeks before the Presidential election, the air becomes more and more filled with discussion of the policies and personalities of the respective candidates. It is the very essence of democratic government that absolute freedom of expression should be given to the opinions of every member of the community; yet it is often a matter of considerable doubt whether some of the arguments advanced in favor of this or that candidate are really expressions of opinion in its true sense. Do the condemnations of one Presidential nominee, or the eulogisms which we hear heaped (or heap ourselves) on his rival, arise in all instances from a mature judgment of both sides of the case? Do we not find ourselves holding opinions to which we are directed by emotional feeling rather than by careful reasoning?

It should be the duty of those men who have had the advantage of a college education to form the more logical and mature portion of the whole body of public opinion. Education should tend to suppress the unreasoning emotions, which, particularly in times of crisis, urge people to hasty and unwise judgments. We should, therefore, cultivate a habit of deliberation in thinking and speaking of affairs of the nation and above all we should take care to be sufficiently well-informed about the political exigencies of the moment, that we may be able to have an opinion concerning the fitness of the Presidential nominees. In so doing it is possible that we may be able to add something to the better mass of opinion in this country and, more important, we shall prepare ourselves for the time when we are to take a more important part in national affairs.