Given the fireworks of the 2016 presidential election campaign, I’ve
heard more than one person proclaim that it will be a relief when this
one is over.
Yet as a liberal arts college is, in one sense, a
platform for the free exchange of ideas, so, too, is our electoral
process a means by which we take action on ideas. Our right to vote
represents a sacred trust, one that I hope the Virginia Wesleyan
community will have exercised by the time the polls close this evening.
I
am proud of our College for having hosted a number of events inspired
by this year’s campaign. These include forums and presentations
sponsored by our Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. It is
important to remember, too, that as an intellectual community, we have
responsibility to hear and to tolerate many voices—even if and when they
run counter to our personal beliefs or assumptions.
More is at
stake today than simply choosing our next President of the United
States, as well as various members of Congress and governors. Many
issues here and around the nation will be addressed through the
democratic process “of the people, by the people, for the people,” as
Lincoln stated so eloquently, a system that we cherish as a means of
forging our national destiny and defining our collective legacy. Many
such issues will be highly local, but the means by which they are to be
decided are no less central to the idea of our democracy.
Like
many of you, I will be watching the results of this year’s election with
a range of emotions, but I hope you will share with me the underlying
satisfaction that comes with seeing our democratic system at work—as
well as the commitment of every citizen to stay engaged each and every
day once our votes are cast.
