Address by Commissioner of Education Earl McGrath, Higher Education, National Defense, and Public Policy
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OCR Page 1 of 10HIGHER EDUCATION, NATIONAL DEFENSE, AND PUBLIC POLICY
Those in a position to know most about world events, and the relations
between nations, doubt that the present issues are likely to be soon resolved.
At best there is ahead a long period of uncertainty and disorder. During this
time we must organize our national life to carry on the ordinary and necessary
activities of life, and, at the same time, prepare for the possibility of a
global conflict.
This perspective of the "long pull" makes 1950 different from 1917 and
1941. If we faced a short haul, we might permit the demands of an all-out
total war to take precedence over everything else, expecting to return to the
neglected_ civilian and domestic issues after a time. But, facing a long haul,
we have not only to build combat strength and keep it at a high level indefi-
nitely, but also to equip the oncoming generation of youth for life in this
new world and, at the same time, greatly to extend and strengthen the basic
services which meet the nen-military needs of the people. Policies and
pro-
grams which were adequate "the last time" will not do today. 1950 is not 1941.
In making this assertion, we act on two l'essons which are, the verdict
of the past 30 years of experience, climaxed provisionally by the Korean crisis.
First, we know that communist imperialism changes its policies when, and only
when, the power factors in the situation change. This makes necessary the
maintenance of adequate military strength if the Free World is to survive.
Secondly, we know that the cultural and ideological battle is just as important
as the military struggle in stemming the march of communist imperialism and
ultimately causing its internal disintegration. This makes necessary the
strengthening of essential activities in the nonmilitary aspects of American
life if the surviving peoples are to be free.
It is,not enough that we insure the survival of the Free World; we must
also make sure that the world which survives is free. Under the present con-
ditions, we act on the assumption that democracy cannot survive without armed
strength, that a weak and exposed democracy courts destruction. On the other
hand, we know that a democracy which becomes militaristic ceases to be a de-
mocracy; we must maintain a garrison, but we must not become a Garrison State.
The only practical alternative before the United States lies in doing both the
military and the nonmilitary jobs. More accurately, it lies in doing those
things which are basic and essential in both fields, while cutting out the
nonessential in both.
*By Earl James NcGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Federal Security Agency,
Washington, D. C., at opening session of the Conference on Higher Education in the
National Service, called by the American Council on Education, October 6, 1950,
Washington, D. C. Reprinted in Was Service : the Twenty Fifth annual
Debate Handbook
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