The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-01-09
SID ley P

AS far back as the days of Thomas jefferson, the
question of the education of the Negro has been national
problem That eminent Vrgnian Father of the Declare
zion OF independence before slavery was abolished
felt that owners should permit their slaves to be pre-
pared by instruction and habit self government and
the honest pursuit of industry" In his plans for
modern system of public schools Jefferson included
the training of slaves sin industrial and agricultural
branches to equip them for higher station in life To-
days problem In connection with the Consttuonalty of
segregation in public school system seems but the
shadow of unfinished business which has been on the
national agenda for long, long time
In summing up the situation for the past several
s0eeks mach thought and space been given to this
problem because of the large implications 1T has
or could haze aody of life, pGrticuarly in
the Southland a0here the Negro and has auaite neigh
Dor are, at long last, learning to hve and auork
gether for their mutual aOelfare. 1t aOiu be
anemdous loss to all PARTIES concerned particularly
to the party of the lesser part (the Negro If the
existing goodwill is disturbed and nothing equally
stobaliSing is substituted IN its place. Too the future
aoefarc of the children of both groups mag suffer
for the that 1T has taken gears of research and
study the part of the nations educators bring
public school system to the IeveI of efficiency
aOhich it maintains today This may be seriously
paired BIZ some of the that being dis
cussed. We do nothing about the pending
before the Supreme Court bat can try to get to-
gether good Americans and ackat can be done
to make the most of any decision the Court hands
do1on.
For long time the Negro has bent his energies to-
wards securing better schools, better facilities better
paid teachers and larger educational outlook for his
youth. For equally long time the white South has
stated it's willingness to give the Negro those educational
improvements he sought if money could be made avail
able Educators and legislators all the South
setting machinery into action to provide money
to equalize school facilities for the Negro
Throughout the Soath today millions are being
spent modern school facilities for Negroes WhSch,
IN many instances, not only equal to bit better
than like equipment ersting for the schite There
thousands of Negro yosth at study in colleges and
aSversities IN preparation to these better and
larger facilities Vhich being brought about in
result of the Negroes Just demand for equalization.
For the present this, believe, should be snffi-
cent solution to the problem. oar ttoo great racial
groups, a0orking together to for each the OPP
portunSties tGt a0i produce cotes7net and chances
for nsstMal progress, should definitely continue
atmosphere of goodaoiU In Which both set about
to give to our Republic the Very best they haze
AS Negroes we enjoy association among ourselves -
provided we given the opportunities for de-
velopment that other racial groups enjoy We should not
wish to force ourselves upon others who have the
right choose their friends and associates
Given equality of opportunity for development the Negro
can set about the job OF earning for himself the respect
and goodwill that is due every worthy American Judging
by the strides the Negro has made under an
inferior educational system it will be, perhaps only
few short before he will achieve that North
and South will accept him for his ntristic value as
citizen Such acceptance free and ungrudgingly given
viii be of far greater value to the Negro than any
status that may be attempted through antagonizing
legislation.
In final analysis of the sitsutior would tie If
permitted to adUise those aoho are respomsibte for
the ALLEGATION Of funds for public education to eave
no stone wrned that wM help to make equality of
educational opportunities possible And to mn oson
people Mould sag; the better tool which about