The letter in the Nation, extracts from which we publish today, advocating the abolition of intercollegiate athletics, contains in a concise form most of the objections to our present system. The writer, however, utterly fails to appreciate the arguments in favor of athletics. He claims that the prevention of provincialism and the increase of college patriotism are the only good, results and argues that these are far overbalanced by the evils of gambling, drinking, brutality and expense, by the confinement of athletics to the few men who are on the teams, and by the attendance at college of men who come only for athletics. All of these charges have been answered time and again, and repetition is unnecessary. On the other side of the case the great fact that has been proved is that athletics have taken the place of other interests and practices which had nothing whatever to recommend them. It is admitted that colleges which devote the most attention to athletics are the most free from hazing, rushing, and other customs which were universal before the introduction of athletics. There is a superabundance of energy in the average young man which demands an outlet. The energy which might otherwise be wasted is concentrated on intercollegiate sports, and it is safe to say that far more good than harm is the result. Until some better outlet is suggested, the best thing the colleges can do is not to abolish the system, but to try to eradicate the evils which we know to exist.