By Mary Lackie

Stan Melton is a professional singer with a “cause.” He calls it a “peace through song campaign.’

“When there is a choice between a nightclub engagement and a chance to sing for a college group, I take the ‘cause engagement’”, Melton said. “Sometimes to the dismay of my manager.”

Since Melton’s appearance before the National Conference of Christians and Jews in California in 1963, he has traveled with the UNICEF children’s’ choir, and began his tour of college campuses.

“Music is the universal language,’ Melton said “my message is simple—‘let there be peace, and let it begin with me’. It’s a simple ideal, but people dedicate themselves to the message by singing the song.”

While music is the communicator in his visits to colleges, Melton communicates with students in informal talks. “The majority are average college kids,’ he said, “but definitely more mature than we were. They are deeply interested in the problems of the world—not content to leave the problems to their elders.’

Melton said, the college student is characterized by his search for answers, his inquisitiveness and a recognition that “America has the military and material power—what concerns them is that it become a moral power.”

“I am not in favor of burning draft cards—it is a childlike maneuver—a tantrum-type thing,” said Melton “Unfortunately, we hear so much about hippies and demonstrators on college campuses—but they are in the minority.”

“You don’t hear about he ‘good kids’ on campus, “Melton said. “The members of various student groups participating in seminars and discussions to strengthen democracy.” These students, Melton said, are becoming better citizens and, “although there is intellectual controversy, it all gets down to a spiritual dedication. These students have a personal dedication to peaceful and creative assembly and dissent.”

One of the signs of this attitude was obvious at the Washington rally of the Student Mobilization Committee representing delegates from 31 college campuses this spring. There are now approximately 150 groups organized throughout the county.

“I do think it is important that the right sort of leadership be maintained in these groups-leaders with a sense of responsibility who do not lose sight of their goal.” Purpose of the peace organization is to give the students a ‘voice’ through logical, unified discussion and positive action,” he said.

College students, as an outgrowth of these discussions, are participating in summer projects. In Chicago, Melton said, students are giving their free time to work in day care centers sponsored by church organizations.

Emory students, some of them members of the Student Mobilization Committee, are working in a survey of poverty areas in rural Georgia for the OEO. In Baltimore, University of Maryland students work as carpenters in the renewal and renovation project in the Baltimore slums (“Some of the worst slums I have ever seen,” Melton said.). One campus leader active in the project said, “I could get a job this summer as a lifeguard at Cape Cod—well, I can take off my shirt and still get a tan—but I will be doing something constructive.”

Melton’s new song, “One Hand, One World,” will be part of his program in appearances at Catholic University this summer and St. Peter’s College.

Does he feel that church organizations campus area is providing for the spiritual needs of the students? “Yes,” Melton said, “the Episcopalians are outstanding in their efforts—and all churches are working to become more relevant to the needs of the students.”

Melton, a graduate of Georgia State began his professional career in Atlanta. “Now I guess I am sort of a crusader,’ he said.