LETTER: Stop getting rid of beauty

Editor,

I can scarcely believe the pain and shock I first felt when I found the dead form of the majestic lady beside the path on Old Main Hill. Why this seemingly senseless action? Again, I stumbled upon the bodies of three more noble pillars of our community on campus. I stopped in horror and examined them from head to toe. No apparent reason for the slaughter.

I completely understand there must be sacrifice for the march of progress; buildings, roads, etc. Is there no way to save our friends in the park, on the hill? Are there legal reasons for their demise? Instead of cutting them down, can we post a sign? What reasons are there for their removal?

The trees, plants, and animal realms please the eye and gladden the heart. Much more so than a brick façade. Are we not striving for beauty and completeness in bridging the chasm of nature and man? I am not an ardent environmentalist. The realism, mentioned earlier, is given for man’s use and benefit, but it is also our duty to protect and beautify. Especially those preserved by history. We should strive to protect rather than remove on a whim.

It isn’t always efficient, but not all of the pure joys and satisfactions of life are economical. I am asking we preserve some of our living past, especially where there is no apparent reason to bring about their demise.

As we are reminded constantly, we do not appreciate something until it is gone. A sad statement of human nature. Gratitude is something done in action based on our thankfulness. Let us do something to appreciate what we have now, before we have to appreciate it in history.

Paul Ross