(Ed. Not--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in, printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be withheld. Only letters under 400 words can be printed because of space limitations.)

To the Editor of the Crimson:

Your recent editorial criticism of Professor Bridgman's Manifesto derives logically from the values of a democratic society. But there is a limit to the consistency of courses of action; self defense is part of a deeper logic for all men and all societies. At the present juncture of world circumstance, you have uttered a counsel in the logic of self-destruction.

It may or may not be true that actions similar to Professor Bridgman's involve us in a vicious circle where defense of our traditions paradoxically subverts them. In any case, some sort of implementation of our beliefs is necessary. Tolerance of intolerance insidiously becomes suicide.

The essential elements in our cultural tradition are political democracy, free inquiry, tolerance, and humanitarianism. They constitute a base on which all of us can stand together. If these values are important to us and if we fear their destruction, we must defend as well as assert them. It is possible we may fail, but we will have demonstrated a deeper adherence to the things we live by. Bernard Barber '39.