Ex Parte Freedom

Because the University has so often refused to censure or suppress unpopular political groups at the urging of legislators, alumni, or midwestern newspaper, it is easy to accept Dean Griswold's statement as a natural occurrence. It might be a repetition of what Grenville Clark said two years ago concerning the free expression of the Harvard faculty, or Dean Bender's statement at the time Gerhart Eisler spoke in the Yard.

But there are several conditions which set this new incident apart from others. First, Griswold is a self-styled "cautious conservative." Fortunately, he decided that it was more important to be cautions and conservative in suppressing opinions than in listening to them.

Second, his reply to Mr. Sears was phrased in legal, rather than ethical, terms. The Dean did not feel that condemnation by the un-American Activities Committee was sufficient reason for suppression, but he raised a question of what his position would be in the ease of a group that appeared on the Attorney-General's list of subversive organizations. That question he did not answer.

Third, the hysteria around the country, especially in universities, has become more intense with the progressive deterioration in East-West relations. There are few assurances that liberties taken for granted today will still be operative tomorrow, and any expression of devotion to free speech is highly welcome.