Issues

The Sally Hemings Vol 1, No. 16

THE LITTLE RAILROAD THAT THOUGHT IT COULD

Yesterday, we warned that the new Alumni Association was being formed for purposes of repression. This was borne out last night in a highly emotional shouting match between "them" and a large number of enlightened alums. As you will recall, a right-wing slate of officers had been picked for election before the Association was even formed. Dave Carr moved its election, but Benton Patterson, sensing dissent in the meeting, substituted a motion providing election only until September. This barely passed. A motion to restrict officers from making policy pronouncements failed 129 to 111, but three liberals were added to the board.

There is no doubt that the organizers intend to engage in anti-Shannon, anti-student activities. Proof: One woman was asked ahead of time to serve on the board. She agreed, adding that she was pro-Shannon. As a result, her name was quietly scratched from the proposed slate. We wonder if William McClung has any knowledge of this.

HERE IS THE INSIDE STORY OF WHY THE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED HERE: In the wake of Mr. Shannon's statement, some wealthy Richmond athletic supporters threatened to cut off donations to the Student Aid Foundation, which finances football and basketball "scholarships." So a group of local wealthy athletic supporters decided to preserve professional sports at Virginia, at the same time getting even with Mr. Shannon and the students. By forming an Alumni Association, they hoped to trans-fer Student Aid Foundation functions into the Alumni Association. In this way, a reaction against athletics would be a reaction against the University and not just the independent Aid Foundation. At the same time, these right-wingers would have a platform from which to carp and gouge against student dissent, President Shannon, black enrollment, etc., etc., etc.

Here is a list of hard-core organizers: Dave Carr, Manager of the BARRACKS ROAD SHOPPING CENTER: Robert Englander and Willis Williams of SOUTHWESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY: Benton Patterson, insurance and investment broker and GHETTO LANDLORD; William P. Moore, salesman for AUCHINCLOSS, PARKER AND REDPATH; David J. Wood of the law firm WOOD, WOOD, AND WOOD; William McClung, Real Estate Salesman; and William Massie Smith of the law firm PAXSON, MARSHALL AND SMITH.

PRESIDENT SHANNON MET WITH STUDENT COUNCIL TUESDAY NIGHT:

The military on the grounds: These three demands not considered.

The Hester statement: Not considered.

The injunction: President Shannon: "I question whether it would be valuable for the University to attempt to have it removed." Asked whether this was due to political reasons, he remained silent.

Dean Paulson: defended injunction as "lowest level of legal action" that could be taken. If removed might be unavailable if needed in near future.

Leigh Middleditch, University Special Counsel: Can't recommend withdrawl of injunction in the "current state of tensions" especially with such things going on as the impeachment of the senior class president.

Disarming Unicops: Captain Shannon, USNR: Unicops must be ready for anything; they are armed for your protection.

Banning CIA, FBI, State Police, National Guard, etc.: Mr. Shannon: We're going to keep the Univer-sity open to the public. After all, "I didn't ban Kunstler and Rubin."

Black Recruitment: Some progress reported by Dean Ern. No goals; No quotas.

Mr. Shannon: "We're talking about individuals."

(OVER)

Equal Opportunity for Women in Admissions, etc. : Mssrs. Shannon and Hereford: Our hands are tied by the Board of Visitors quota. "We are going to abide by it."

Unionization of Employees: Mr. Shannon: "can't legally comment on this"; Rotch Committee may recommend Shannon recommend to Legislature a Blue Ribbon Committee to study problem. "A can of worms," said Prof. Rotch.

END RESULT: No commitment to take any action or even to make any recommendations to Board of Visitors. i.e. NOTHING.

ORACLES SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS... Greek mythology has it that at Delphi, a maiden, speaking while under the influence of a "peculiar vapour" issuing from a crack in Parnassus, would bring messages from the gods to the populace at large. Many a Greek took an unscheduled trip to the Styx as a result of some of the prognostications broadcast from the then navel of the world.

Times and places have changed, but unfortunately the plot has not.

Right here in the U.S.A. , we have our own little Delphic Oracle. Although he's no maiden, we sometimes wonder if Spiro hasn't gotten a whiff of those "peculiar vapours." Sitting high on his three-legged stool over a crack in the Pentagon, our oracle has spoken and goes on to say "I will continue to speak out."

Although strong upholders of the maxim that oracles should be seen and not heard, we feel that the latest pronouncement merits sharing. After mentioning that "much of the Cambodian decision was misunderstood and the facts of it are just coming out," the Word then went on to effectively discount most of the 60,000 neophytes who last week flocked to the temple to quietly mention that even gods might be wrong.

Although we realize that this particular Oracle is a weighty one to contradict, we'd like to suggest that there is some deep-seated hostility toward the Cambodian situation among the subjects. We'd also like to caution the chief priests who interpret the oracle against turning a "typical spring lark" into a typical summer slaughter.

THE JOHN WAYLES-ICHABOD CRANE AWARD, WITH PUMPKIN CLUSTER, TO: Leigh Middleditch, University Special Counsel, for spotting trouble on the way and staying ahead of it.

THE DIOGENES EMBARRASSING QUESTION AWARD AND A WHIPPED CREAM PIE TO: Thomas J. Burns (acting for President Nixon) for his answer to nine year old Pamela Cross who asked, "Why are you spending all that money on war and not on schools? Why did you okay the ABM and veto the school bill?" The administration reply, in part: "Pay attention to your own learning activities, and let the President take care of decisions on national and international affairs. He is equipped to do this." We are not so sure and don't think Pam is sure anymore either.

THE BANNISTRE TARLETON PEACE PRIZE TO: Southwestern Life Insurance Company of Charlottes-ville whose agents don't seem to like the new student's anti-war insurance policy.

PETER SCHMIDT FOR ALUMNI PRESIDENT - - - 1984

Folio LH1.V6S24 copy 7 v. 1: no. 16 [May 21, 1970]

The Sally Hemings Vol.1, No.17

TO OUR READERS:

The Andersonville Trial was played last night on the tele. We use "play" advisedly for the experi-ence is all too real to 20th century citizens. The plot is the same as that of Nuremberg: to whom is a man responsible in war -- his commanding officer or himself?

From our position as supposedly enlghtened members of the human community, the answer may seem obvious. Self and conscience, of course. No other man rules our soul and we must act as our personal moral code demands. The outcome of any war trial is thus predetermined. A man who obeys an order defined by his society as an "atrocity" is guilty of murder.

But we must look deeper than this. We must consider who we are condemning, and why. The fighting calibre of a soldier is high but he is the common man after all. Perhaps it is asking too much of an ordinary person like you or me to constantly check the morality of what he is about to do, espe-cially in war. For standards of conduct dictate that he kill as many as possible and few questions are asked. When engaged in destroying life, one can hardly afford to be selective.

It is, therefore, singularly hypotritical for a society which demands murder on a large scale to suddenly demand that one individual be held responsible when he dosen't kill by the rules; and, further-more, that he explain his motivation for doing so. Perhaps this is the greatest atrocity of all: to attempt to wring from a man his confession of lack of faith in himself and to then condemn him for it.

STRAIGHT FROM THE PARROT'S BEAK

"Reliable" (?) sources in Washington say that Harry Byrd is on the edge; that he is really undecided on the attempt to restore to Congress its rightful powers over foreign policy. Hah! Mr. Byrd is merely practicing that ancient political art of playing both sides against the middle so as not to have to take a public stand. Ancestral traits die hard.

We belive Mr. Byrd actually favors the Nixon policy. In fact, two of his aides said just that to the Virginia Veterans for Peace yesterday. (Old Harry will support our fighting men so long as they stay in Viet Nam, keep their mouths shut, and do what they're told.)

AN INFORMAL NOTE TO EDGAR SHANNON: You took a big step the afternoon of May 10; one for which we students have displayed our gratitude. We have expressed support for you and have worked to combat the reactionary elements in this state who want your head.

It is indeed disturbing to note that you now seem to be playing to a different constituency --the right. You should know that you can never be a T. Martial Hahn who is the example by which the conserva-tives measure you. It follows that if you isolate yourself from students, you may end up with no support at all.

"We, too, believe that the oppression of individual personality can find no place in the modern state. We do not, however, accept a bill of rights which tends to make the individual superior to the state and to empower him to act in opposition to society. . . Freedom therefore is due to the citizen and to classes on condition that they exercise it in the interests of society as a whole and within the limits set by social exigencies, liberty being, like any other individual right, a concession of the stat."

--John Mitchell? No. Alfredo Rocco.

THE GEORGE GRENVILLE-JOHN FOSTER DULLES AWARD TO: Senate Majority Leader Hugh Scott for his remarks that, yes indeed, the defense and survival of Israel are essentional to the defense and survival of the United States. (Would you believe creeping Islam . . .?)

WE HEAR CBS is making a special donation to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Pentagon support of truth in broadcasting. The gift? Five reels of yesterdays 6:30 evening news with Walter Cronkite for their employment and edifications.

DON'T BUY REYNOLDS RAP!

The SALLY HEMINGS Vol 1, No. 18

SUICIDE IS PAINLESS (PART II)

Mayor "Dutch" Vogt told a leading member of the Strike Committee the other day that the strike had been very helpful to the local Republican Party. The word "strike" and the red arm bands, asserts Mayor Vogt unquestionably connote "some connection with the Communist Conspiracy" and "will insure our reelection when before it was in doubt." We should point out to the good people of our town that the red in the arm band is for the blood of patriots, the same connotation as the red stripes in "Old Glory." We would also point out to the town's leading Elephant Party spokesman that GOP policies are driving the young away from the Republican Party at such a rate as to bring its future into doubt. The GOP may be old, but it is no longer grand; thanks to leaders like Nixon and Vogt, no one now under 30 will ever join the GOP.

BURY THE BOARD WEEK--JUNE 28 to JULY 4

Draft boards in the state of Washington are being overloaded by wise guys who remove those postage-paid subscription cards from mags, fill in the names of their draft board clerks with the address of the local board and check long-term subscriptions. If the clerks don't lose a lot of time straightening out the problem of unwanted subscriptions, they waste time reading Playboy, Life, Good Housekeeping, etc. Some of the extremist nuts send flowers, candy, etc., C.O.D. By law, the clerks can't accept the stuff--more time lost. This is in addition to the problems caused by those who strictly obey the law and report, as required, all changes in their physical, mental, marital, occupational status.

WE SHALL RETURN...

With this issue, "The Sally Hemings" temporarily suspends publication. The staff feels that for now, her purpose has been served. This is not to imply, however, that the revolution is over; on the con-trary, it has barely begun.

Obviously, we all face a long and trying struggle before the ideals Sally holds are realized. Per-haps it will take more radical means than she has advocated thus far to move this nation toward sanity. She and we are willing to face that struggle. For now, let us see whether the direction the Movement presently takes can bear any beneficial results.

Is this a warning to reactionary and anti-life forces in this state? Perhaps. But it is also a call for the forces of life to gather and assert themselves, to demand to be heeded as well as heard. The system says it can produce; therefore, let it. Let it also remember that we are struggling not simply in a political contest where the stakes are influence or a few plush jobs, but in a grim game which pits our wish to live against others' desires that we fight and die in an aimless, mindless war. If the system cannot respond, it must accept the consequences.

Remember, we will be back, whenever we are needed...

THE THOMAS HUTCHINSON LAWNORDER AWARD TO: T. Martial Hahn, a would-be Virginia Governor, who in the tradition of a certain South Vietnamese Marshal, hopes to climb to the top over the broken backs of dissenters.

THE CHARLOTTESVILLE UNDERGROUND GARDEN CLUB AWARD TO: Our incumbent GOP city leaders who make political profit by cutting the GRASS, while letting the poppies grow.

THE EDGEWOOD ARSENAL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AND A PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF REAR ADMIRAL TO: Those Arson Science people who voted to give ROTC academic credit. Haw!

APRIL SHOWERS BROUGHT MAYFLOWERS. WHAT WILL AUGUST'S WET RAINS DO... ?

Lt. SALLY HEMINGS Vol 1, No. 19

THE DRUMS, THE GUNS, AND THE FLAGS

This time they are marching with flags and the uniforms almost glow in the sun. The sounds are of applause and marching tunes, the sounds of praise and admiration. One isn't even aware of the guns, one could not ever know what the guns might do or what one whould do with them. Nothing like that is ever suggested. It is a moment to remember. It is good to serve your country. But the "job" is for your country... Whose country? And what does it mean to serve such a thing as a country? And is a country just the uniforms and the flags? Is it the guns?

Don't think of those things. All of them have been answered for you. The ceremonies cover the answers with their silken whispers. The questions drop away in the sunlight. (But what does all of this mean? Speak now. What Vietnams and Cambodias and Kent States rest uneasy beneath the rhetoric and the ritual? Study your hands. There is skin and bone and muscle. What do those guns... do? Without the flags, without the drill, without the rhetoric... what do they do? What will those hands do? What will they do to other hands?)

This is for your country. And your country needs you, not your questions (God save us from the answers). The motions say that your country, and the uniform says that your country, and the rank says that your country.. that your country must... use you. For what end?

Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty: And so this: vigilant flags, vigilant guns, the eternal guards over Liberty. But she's not a prisoner: we've built walls around her and we have guns to protect her. She is safe, no-one can touch her, no one can have her. And that's why there is a military and why we are here... Vietnam (The Drums)... Cambcdia (The Guns)... Kent State (The Flag)...

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO MAYFLOWER...

Last night, we learned that the Police Riot has claimed another victim. Tom Doran was arrested on an obscure charge of vandalism. The misdeed was supposedly perpetrated during the activities which took place here in the beginning of May. Tom was busted by Chief Ray Houchens of the Uni-cops and a plainclothes State Patrolman. Could it be that the reason behind the sudden arrest is pure harrassment aimed at keeping Doran off the Grounds? Clearly, we see here a threat becoming a reality. All those who have been consistent in their work for change are even more vulnerable than before; vulnerable because nebulous charges are apparently being used as a basis for incar-ceration.

QUESTION: Is Vietnamization nothing but Koreanization, Philippinization, Thai-ization, and Indonesianization? You had better ask Richard M. ("All American troops will be out by July 30") Nixon. For example, consider this from inside sources: The Nixon Administration will announce a "good will mission" to Korea. In reality, it will be a diplomatic effort to arrange the exchange of U.S. money for a commit ment of Korean troops in Vietnam. It seems the ruling Pak Chung-hui regime needs money for "elections" scheduled for next year and a few other items. Good ole Uncle Sam will supply that money... if Korea will agree to send several tens of thousands of troops to Vietnam to replace U.S. troops being withdrawn. The move will likely be made quietly this summer while Korean students are on vacation.

ANOTHER QUESTION: Can you Army fellers swim? Wouldja bleev that ship sunk by North Korea off her own coast is an Army mine sweeper converted to a spy ship and manned by South Koreans? Wouldja, huh? Wouldja, huh?

YET ANOTHER QUESTION: Which of the uniformed gentlemen on the very stage before your very eyes is a patron of "The Sally Hemings?"

IN THE EARLY MORNING MIST I SEE

VISIONS OF THINGS THAT ARE TO BE...