The communication from Professor James this morning calling the attention of the college to a plan for examinations without proctors presented to the defunct Conference Committee by one of its members is interesting throughout, but particularly in the use of one expression "effective moral opinion." There is a great deal of opinion here which has not the courage to raise its head, and so becomes ineffective. Recently Professor Adler spoke in Sander's Theatre and impressed upon his hearers the word activity. If that lesson could be taken a little more to heart there would be a great change for the better in our scholastic institutions, in our athletics, and in our morals. We think that the president brought out the real truth in this matter in his lecture Monday evening. He spoke of the follies of secret societies which make a parade of the men who are going through a process of initiation, saying that now young men of nineteen are pleased with the nonsense which formerly was conducted by boys just beginning their teens. He knows that public opinion here at heart despises such puerility. Yet that opinion is ineffective for inaugurating any change. Why? Because it is really too lazy to take the trouble. We do not believe that there is any lack of inner independence in the matter. It is pure indifference combined with a transcendent devotion to a fear of appearing ridiculous, or expressing any idea which is not the merest commonplace.

Harvard is a great university. She has a past full of glory and a future full of promise, but she does need moral activity. Fearlessness will bring it, but where is fearlessness to be found?