DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Student demonstrations correspondence, 1965 | 1965-10-20 Howard R. Bowen to Representative Chester Hougen

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Student demonstrations correspondence, 1965

1965-10-20 Howard R. Bowen to Representative Chester Hougen

20 October 1965
Dear Representative Hougen:

Thank you for your thoughtful letter of October 16. I quite understand your sentiments, especially when I read the letters of my nephew who is fighting in Viet Nam. When I think of his experiences and sacrifices, it is difficult for me to countenance the actions and views of the vocal student minorities throughout the country. 

Yet, to quote your letter, we do have "Constitutional provisions of freedom," and when the law is not being violated we educators may not properly infringe the rights of our faculty and students to express their views. 

So far as the University of Iowa is concerned, there are few students involved in protests of the Viet Nam war. They have done nothing beyond expressing their opinions. Other students at Iowa have expressed opposite opinions. The great majority of students (at least 99 percent) have views that are not far different from yours or mine, and these students are ready to support the foreign policy of the United States and to do their part in military service. To attempt to suppress the tiny minority would not only be contrary to the principle of free speech but would result in adding to their number and increasing their importance. 

I greatly appreciate your interest, and am glad to have your letter. Would you consider publishing it in the letter to the editor? 

With kindest personal regards, 

Yours sincerely, 

Howard R. Bowen

Representative Chester Hougen
3215 Waterloo road
Cedar Falls, Iowa

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20 October 1965 Dear Representative Hougen: Thank you for your thoughtful letter of October 16. I quite understand your sentiments, especially when I read the letters of my nephew who is fighting in Viet Nam. When I think of his experiences and sacrifices, it is difficult for me to countenance the actions and views of the vocal student minorities throughout the country. Yet, to quote your letter, we do have "Constitutional provisions of freedom," and when the law is not being violated we educators may not properly infringe the rights of our faculty and students to express their views. So far as the University of Iowa is concerned, there are few students involved in protests of the Viet Nam war. They have done nothing beyond expressing their opinions. Other students at Iowa have expressed opposite opinions. The great majority of students (at least 99 percent) have views that are not far different from yours or mine, and these students are ready to support the foreign policy of the United States and to do their part in military service. To attempt to suppress the tiny minority would not only be contrary to the principle of free speech but would result in adding to their number and increasing their importance. I greatly appreciate your interest, and am glad to have your letter. Would you consider publishing it in the letter to the editor? With kindest personal regards, Yours sincerely, Howard R. Bowen Representative Chester Hougen 3215 Waterloo road Cedar Falls, Iowa