Karpovich Declares Liberalism Not Outmoded, at Opening HLU Meeting

"Liberalism is not outmoded," Michael Karpovich, associate professor of history, told the opening meeting of the Harvard Liberal Union last night.

"Liberalism is needed now more than ever before," he continued, asserting that those who attempt to prove by past events that Liberalism is old-fashioned are distorting history.

The achievements of Liberalism both in the field of politics and personal liberty and in social justice and public welfare are ignored," Karpovich argued. He emphasized that he was not at any time trying to defend the old time Manchester type of Liberal.

Karpovich defined Liberalism as a belief in the working dignity of the individual who lives in a society where the creative force of Freedom has a chance to work.

World of Reaction

Liberals must be the first to realize that the world in one sense is one of reaction, Karpovich said. All about us are the exhibits of a moral callousness in face of violations of human dignity and freedom.

"This widespread and profane reaction makes Liberalism's struggle for the retention of human dignity and freedom more vital, more urgent than ever before," Karpovich stated.

A business meeting at which the executive board's decision to support two Negro clergymen for Cambridge municipal posts was held following the speech. Twenty members were signed up to work on the political affairs committee in support of the two candidates for office.