"BOLD, BAD MEN"

The speeches of Professor Scott Nearing and Mr. Clarence S. Darrow this afternoon offer Harvard men an opportunity which is unfortunately rather rare. Between indifference chiefly and mild opposition, radical opinions have little representation at the University. The suggestion that Professor Nearing and others should be invited to the Union platform caused heated dispute last year, to be settled finally by compromise; but the nominal admission of the value of open discussion means little. Men may admit that they only source of truth is the free clash of opposing views; yet it is only when conflicting theories are fairly heard and frequently discussed that education has begun.

In the classroom men constantly enjoy the best obtainable presentation of more conservative attitudes. It can only be a foolish fear of having a comfortable system upset that shrinks from hearing an able statement of radical views. The intellectual stimulation obtained from radical outside speakers can hardly be too frequent; and if there is little active official encouragement to their appearance, the more reason to seize the occasion when it is offered.